The Detroit News · Sep 13, 2015
Spartans defense preserves big win over Ducks
Michigan State's Aaron Burbridge grabs a pass and runs(Photo: Dale Young, Detroit News)East Lansing – On a night when offensive fire power was on full display, Michigan State went back to its bread and butter when it counted the most.
Holding on to a three-point lead Saturday with just more than a minute to play in a top-five matchup between No. 5 Michigan State and No. 7 Oregon, it was the Spartans' defense that made the play of the game.
With Oregon facing a third-and-6 from the Michigan State 33, defensive tackle Lawrence Thomas and linebacker Chris Frey broke through to drag Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams down for an 11-yard sack. The fourth-down play was an incomplete pass.