INDIANAPOLIS – Mark Staten, sweaty and breathless and still processing what he'd just witnessed, spotted Jim Bollman through the crowd. They shared a big embrace and wide grins.

Michigan State's offensive line coaches past and present knew they had witnessed history — 22 plays, 82 yards and 9 minutes 4 seconds of offensive dominance. It led to a game-winning touchdown and a 16-13 victory over Iowa.

And they knew it all started up front with their big guys.


"The whole thing is kind of a blur," Staten said on the Lucas Oil Stadium field early Sunday morning. "Twenty-two plays is a lot of plays. ... It's just, 'Pound, Green, pound.' We knew we had to have it."
Offensive linemen typically go about their business in anonymity.

But Saturday night's final drive in the Big Ten championship game provided the Spartans with a chance to showcase a group that has been the cornerstone of their success in a season filled with close games.

"When we were on the sidelines … before we went out there, we were saying, 'This is our drive. We have to get this done,' " said senior center Jack Allen. "We fought through some stuff at the beginning of the game, but we shined at the right time."

It was a bludgeoning battle along the lines for both teams and on both sides of the ball all night. Iowa's offense managed just 268 yards in the game, 85 of them coming on C.J. Beathard's go-ahead touchdown pass to Tevaun Smith early in the fourth quarter.

Every Lineman's Fantasy:
Jack Allen 9 yard TD run vs Penn State.

The Spartans had gained 283 yards — 125 of them rushing — when they took over with 9:31 remaining, but most of their drives to that point had fizzled. Two red-zone trips had resulted in field goals, and two other drives resulted in 52-yard near misses by kicker Michael Geiger.

The linemen knew this drive would be pivotal. And their coaches wanted them to milk the clock and get the final points.

"I guess it's the resiliency of our team and how hard we're gonna work no matter what," left tackle Jack Conklin said. "We don't see anybody giving up. ... When you come off, even if it's a bad drive, everybody's cheering you on, and you still believe. This team's about believing and never giving up."
Outside of three Connor Cook completions — including a 13-yard shovel pass to Josiah Price that required more of a run-blocking scheme — MSU's line paved the way for 49 of the 82 yards on the ground on the final drive. With Cook battling an arm injury he admitted rendered him less than 100 percent, it was critical. His linemen, many of whom were banged up or missed time with ailments throughout the season, knew what that was like. 



"We're a tough unit," Allen said. "Throughout this whole year, nothing has been easy for us. We had to push through it those last minutes. We've done that all year.."
MSU's final 12 plays all were runs.

"That's Michigan State football," said junior Kodi Kieler, who left with leg cramps after MSU got to the Iowa 5. He didn't stay out long, defying his training staff to return before the final play.
Said Staten: "When we put our hand in the dirt, we've got guys that are experienced enough. They don't care what the pain is. They don't care how much they hurt. They just know that, hey, it's on their shoulders, and they're going to do everything they can."

On third-and-goal with 38 seconds left, with All-America center Allen lined up with him in the backfield, freshman LJ Scott took the ball around the right side and followed Benny McGowan and fullback Trevon Pendleton. Scott bounced off tackles and lunged for the end zone.
Touchdown, MSU. Cook eventually handed his MVP trophy to his offensive linemen.

"They said, 'Just punch it in. Let's get it in. Let's get it in. Let's get it in,' " Scott said. "We were confident. You just gotta be confident — not cocky, but confident — and remain humble and know we can do it. 'Stay focused and know we can do it.' And the guys up front, they definitely did it."