EAST LANSING, Mich.— Just as quickly as it seemed this team of destiny would come through once more, destiny came up and bit the Wisconsin football team where it hurt most.
Wisconsin overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but that ended abruptly on a 44-yard Michigan State touchdown as time expired. The tipped pass found senior Spartan receiver Keith Nichol, who wiggled his way across the plain for the game-winning score.
While the hail-mary winner was pretty much up to the football gods, what was certainly in the Badgers' control was the decision to call two timeouts on defense during that fateful drive, a decision made in an attempt to get the ball back for a final drive.
""What we wanted to do was get the ball back,"" head coach Bret Bielema said. ""We were going for the win.""
Though Bielema will certainly face criticism over this aggressive move, he was certainly playing odds that were increasingly in his favor. Michigan State had struggled throughout the fourth quarter when a few first downs could have iced the game and the chances of getting just one more stop were certainly not insurmountable.
After seeing the penultimate Badger touchdown set up by a 33 yard return by sophomore Jared Abbrederis, Bielema wanted to give his punt unit one final shot to put this game away.
""All the timeouts there in the fourth quarter were trying to get our punt team or punt return unit out there,"" Bielema said. ""We had a return that almost broke. We were trying to get an opportunity to win the game.""
Despite an ending that was difficult to digest, the Badgers showed a level of toughness in overcoming a two score deficit on the road in the fourth quarter.
""That's just kind of how we are; we don't really need any motivation,"" junior lineman Peter Konz said. ""Like I said all year, this group, no matter whether we're up or down, we just go as hard as we can.""
With Wisconsin trailing by two scores, the defense was pushed up against the wall for much of the second half. Though it was able to get three crucial stops in the fourth quarter, it ultimately allowed Michigan State to convert on too many third down chances (8-of-16).
""We've got to continue to improve. We didn't perform well today,"" sophomore linebacker Chris Borland said. ""There are good teams that are going to take advantage of that.""
On offense, the running attack was once again led the charge. Junior running back Montee Ball rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, adding two catches for 24 yards and another touchdown through the air.
However, it was Ball's injury late in the second quarter that stunted a UW drive in the redzone with the Badgers leading 14-9 that ultimately resulted in a blocked field goal and consecutive Michigan State scores, allowing the Spartans to turn that early deficit into a 23-14 halftime lead.
Having dug deep and come back from the depths of defeat only to lose on the final play, the Badgers are understandably in a state of disbelief.
""It's just a really, really tough way to lose,"" senior safety Aaron Henry said. ""You almost prefer that they just go out there and beat you.""
The Big Ten's new divisional system leaves the Badgers with destiny still in their hands concerning a potential conference title and Rose Bowl appearance. The question now turns to whether this loss becomes a rallying point or a crutch.
""To take that experience and move forward, I don't know if we will lean on it and use it next week or in two weeks or in three weeks,"" Bielema said. ""At some point in their lives they're going to remember this, and I know us coaches will as well.""
