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We all know how Mark Dantonio likes to run things at Michigan State — like most Big Ten teams, the Spartans play tough defense, control field position and do just enough on offense to win.
But Dantonio may have outdone himself Saturday against Ohio State.
Down 7-6 and backed up on the Michigan State 1-yard line in the final minute of the third quarter, Dantonio had his long snapper send the ball over his punter’s head for an intentional safety. If you can’t believe a team would actually do that, there’s video evidence below in the form of a tweet from CBS Sports HQ.
Michigan State seemingly snaps the ball out of the end zone intentionally for a safety rather than punt from their own 1-yard line. pic.twitter.com/AeWABdeOl4
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) November 10, 2018
Dantonio was presumably trying to play field position. By going down by three points, the Spartans had the opportunity to pin Ohio State deep with a free kick instead of giving the Buckeyes the ball near midfield with a punt.
Ohio State still got the ball just short of midfield thanks to a good return, though Michigan State ultimately forced a punt that the Buckeyes downed a the 2-yard line. The Spartans promptly fumbled a jet sweep out of shotgun, which Ohio State recovered to grab a 16-6 lead.
Michigan State fumbled again on its very next offensive snap, and the Buckeyes kicked a field goal to go ahead 19-6 with about 13 minutes to play. Though it doesn’t look like Dantonio’s intentional safety will matter that much in the final score, it’s still a head scratcher.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
