COLLEGE FOOTBALL

MSU defeats OSU 34-24

Ohio State's Braxton Miller throws during the first half of a Big Ten Conference championship NCAA college football game against Michigan State, today.

AP

Michigan State's Jeremy Langford, left, is tackled by Ohio State's Bradley Roby (1) during the first half of a Big Ten Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday.

INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State’s championship dream is over.

The second-ranked Buckeyes fell 34-24 to Michigan State in Saturday night’s Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium, giving coach Urban Meyer his first loss of a previously charmed two-year run that will now fall one game short of a shot at the national title.

Michigan State’s Connor Cook threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josiah Price early to nudge the Spartans ahead 27-24 early in the fourth quarter, and in a game defined by its wild swings, the Buckeyes did not have a final answer.

Trailing by three, OSU quarterback Braxton Miller was stuffed for no gain on a fourth-and-1 sweep at the MSU 38 with 5:46 remaining. Jeremy Langford then punctuated the Spartans’ ensuing drive with a clinching 26-yard touchdown run.

One game away from a likely berth in the national championship game, the Buckeyes instead saw their school-record 24-game winning streak shattered. It was also Meyer’s first loss since 2010.

The Buckeyes are likely still bound for a BCS bowl, possibly the Orange Bowl in Miami. Michigan State (34-24) is bound for its first Rose Bowl since 1988.

A game between one of the most prolific offenses in Big Ten history and Michigan State’s national-best defense played out in wild fashion, with the Spartans racing to a 17-0 lead and the Buckeyes roaring back to take a 24-17 lead. But ultimately, Cook’s career-high 304 yards passing for three touchdowns and MSU’s resilient defense was too much for the mistake-prone Buckeyes.

Miller ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries while Carlos Hyde rushed for 118 yards on 18 carries, though a lack of a passing game — accentuated by a series of drops — helped undo the Buckeyes.

Ohio State's Braxton Miller throws during the first half of a Big Ten Conference championship NCAA college football game against Michigan State, today.

THIRD QUARTER

Ohio State has stormed back to take a 24-20 lead over Michigan State after the third quarter of tonight's Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Trailing 17-0 in the second quarter and 17-10 at halftime, the Buckeyes responded with 24 unanswered points. Quarterback Braxton Miller ran for touchdowns of eight and six yards in the third quarter.

HALFTIME

No. 2 Ohio State trails 10th-ranked Michigan State 17-10 after an uneven first half of tonight's Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

After falling behind 17-0, the Buckeyes responded with 10 unanswered points to close the half. Braxton Miler threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Corey Brown while Drew Basil hit a 28-yard field goal as time expired at the half.

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook had a pair of long TD passes — a 72-yard strike to Keith Mumphery and a 33-yarder to Tony Lippett.

FIRST QUARTER

No. 2 Ohio State trails 10th-ranked Michigan State 3-0 after a sloppy first quarter of tonight's Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Buckeyes punted on their first two possessions while their defense was strong but undisciplined. OSU was flagged for pass interference calls on two third-and-long passes during Michigan State's opening drive. Michael Geiger put the Spartans ahead 3-0 with a 40-yard field goal.