Indiana kicker Griffin Oakes’ 33-yard field goal attempt hung in the air. And for those precious few seconds, Spartan fans collectively held their breath.
After all, MSU’s dreams, its aspirations of reaching another College Football Playoff, depended on the kick. Sure, the 30-6 thumping by Wisconsin a week earlier destroyed confidence. But, if the green and white won all of its games and the Big Ten, the Spartans would have proved their worth.
So then, as Oakes’ kick veered left and ultimately missed, MSU fans gasped in excitement — new life, another opportunity to win the game in double overtime.