It took three periods of overtime, but Michigan State finally sealed the victory over Georgia in the Outback Bowl 33–30 Monday. The Spartans blocked a field goal by Bulldog kicker Blair Walsh that would have sent the game into a fourth overtime, giving the Spartan seniors their first bowl victory.
Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins threw his third pick of the game during the first extra period, giving the Bulldogs a chance to win it with a field goal. Walsh booted the kick wide right though, giving the Spartans a chance at redemption.
Walsh made a 47-yarder in the second overtime period, making him the SEC career-scoring leader, but he will likely be remembered for the previous missed kick.
Michigan State, who proved this season that they should never be counted out of a game, erased a 16-point first-half deficit by scoring 14 unanswered in the third quarter. Cousins led the team with 300 yards through the air and conducted a 10-play 85-yard touchdown march with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
Georgia was led by an amazing performance from Brandon Boykin. The senior was credited with a safety, a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown, and caught a 13-yard touchdown pass late in the game to give the Bulldogs a short-lived lead.
Michigan State’s three-overtime victory was just the third bowl game to go that far since the system started in the 1995 season.
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