2010 Alamo Bowl: Controversies Aside, There Was Still a Game To Play

San Antonio, TEXAS -- The 2010 Alamo Bowl between the Michigan State Spartans and Texas Tech Red Raiders was overshadowed by controversy. It seems that all the media and fans could talk about leading up to the contest were the negative events that have plagued both schools.

Tech would emerge with the victory, 41-31, but it wasn't easy.

Mike Leach was fired from Texas Tech for allegations of player abuse and conduct detrimental to his team and school.Leach has had several incidents that the administration at Tech has questioned in the past, the Adam James situation was simply the straw that broke the camel's back.

Mark Dantonio, head coach at Michigan State, has been criticized for his failure to keep his players behavior in check in recent weeks. 14 Spartans were suspended in connection to a brawl on the campus of Michigan State University's Rather Hall in late November.

Besides all of the hoopla shrouding the schools and their players, there was a football game that had to be played in the Alamo Dome on January 2nd, 2010.

No one expected Michigan State to be competitive, and I mean NO ONE.

Most thought that Michigan State would be fortunate to escape San Antonio alive, let alone give Tech a run for their money. 

A lot more than a win was at stake for Michigan State -- their pride was going to be tested. How would the Spartans come out knowing that they were severely over-manned?

How would the Raiders deal with the loss of coach Mike Leach?

The first two quarters were back and forth, with Tech looking like the dominant team. Somehow, Michigan State was able to keep up with the prolific offense led by Taylor Potts.

Tech took a six point lead going into the locker room, 20-14.

Two turnovers to begin the second half worked out in State's favor, one of which resulted in a Keith Nichol touchdown to give the Spartans a one point advantage, 21-20.

Don Treadwell's fake punt call worked out beautifully for the Spartans -- punter Aaron Bates connected with Charlie Gantt for a first down to set up a MSU touchdown.

Keshawn Martin's toss to Blair White evened the score -- All-American kicker, Brett Swenson gave Sparty the lead, 28-27.

Martin was one of the Big Ten's most explosive players and he showcased his skills on a national stage Saturday night against the Red Raiders.

True freshmen, Larry Caper and Edwin Baker made statements as well -- State has two sensational running-backs, and now the rest of the country knows that.

The Spartan offensive line was intent on showing the Tech defense what good-old-Big-Ten-smash-mouth-football was all about, they did an exceptional job creating gaping holes for Baker and Caper to scamper through.

Michigan State's defense, led by All-American linebacker Greg Jones, bent but didn't break. Neither team's defense was particularly impressive, but both units did just enough to stop either offense from taking control.

Barring a Texas Tech offensive explosion, MSU had themselves in position to pull of the upset.

Tech's back-up quarterback, Steven Sheffield, led the Red Raiders on two masterful drives in the fourth quarter to give Tech the win.

Michigan State fought a valiant battle, but at the end of the day, the high-flying offense of Texas Tech was just too much for the Spartans to handle.

Stand out statistic:

Texas Tech: 342 yards after contact (receiving). Michigan State had a severe problem with missed tackles.

Most Valuable Players:

Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State: four catches, 86 yards, one touchdown. Five kick-returns for 125 yards.

Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State: 12 carries, 102 yards, one touchdown.

Steven Sheffield, QB, Texas Tech: 6/6 passing, 75 yards, one touchdown -- all in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Detron Lewis, WR, Texas Tech: 10 catches, 141 yards, two touchdowns.