Worrying all week long about how well senior quarterback Connor Cook would fare on Senior Day at Spartan Stadium, Michigan State was pleasantly surprised with its All-American gunslinger. Not only did Cook start the game, but he played well enough to lead the Spartans to a huge victory over Penn State.
The one-time Heisman contender finished with 248 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-26 completions. He looked like the same quarterback who led MSU to a 9-1 start to the season before missing last week’s game with a shoulder injury.
Although Cook was limiting his throws to merely short and intermediate passes — his long was 19 yards — the Spartans nickel-and-dimed their way down the field against a tough Nittany Lions defense.