Cook elevates MSU to championship-level program

IOWA CITY — Four candidates vied for Michigan State's quarterback job in 2013, and then-sophomore Connor Cook was among them.

The field quickly cut to Cook and 2012 starter Andrew Maxwell, and the duo split starts for their first two games that season. Both Maxwell and Cook were inconsistent. In the fourth game, Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio started Cook, then pulled him with 2 minutes, 11 seconds to go in a 17-13 loss to Notre Dame. Dantonio stuck with Cook through a bye and his first Big Ten road game at Iowa. The rest is Michigan State history.

'They told me three weeks before Iowa that, 'Hey, this is your job; go out there,'' Cook recalled. ''We're giving you the keys to the car. Don't feel like you've got to press. If you make a mistake, don't stress about it. Go out there and we're going to stay with you. Go out there and play. Be confident in yourself, trust yourself and go out there and make plays.''

Cook made the plays necessary to win 26-14 that day at Kinnick Stadium. He completed a 46-yard touchdown pass on third-and-8 to put the Spartans up 10-0 in the second quarter. With Michigan State trailing 14-10 after halftime, he guided a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 37-yard touchdown pass. He finished with 277 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

'I really felt like his coming out party was against us in 2013,' Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. 'At that point they were rotating the quarterbacks a little bit and trying to get settled in. He had played well coming into the game, but he played really well against us. It didn't seem like he missed a pass in that ballgame. He hasn't looked back since that ballgame. He's had a tremendous career.'

With that game as a launching point. Cook provided the final piece to Michigan State's mosaic of success. He's the winningest quarterback in school history, posting a 33-4 record and a 22-2 mark against Big Ten foes. His winning percentage (89.2) is the best nationally with at least 24 starts. He's 4-1 against AP Top 10 teams and 7-3 against top 25 squads. Saturday, his career comes full circle as he guides the No. 5 Spartans (11-1, 7-1) against No. 4 Iowa (12-0, 8-0) for the Big Ten championship.

Statistics also tell a big story. Cook has school records for career touchdown passes (71) and total offense (9,018 yards). He needs 338 yards to become the school leader in passing yards.

But more than records and numbers, Cook's career is defined by big-game success. In 2013, Michigan State beat every Big Ten team by double digits. That included then-No. 2 Ohio State 34-24. Cook threw for three touchdowns that night, first in guiding the Spartans to a 17-0 lead. Then when Ohio State rallied with 24 consecutive points, Cook put the Spartans ahead for good with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass. He finished with 304 passing yards and earned most outstanding player honors.

In the ensuing Rose Bowl, Cook shook off an interception for a touchdown that put Michigan State behind 17-7. He passed for two scores and compiled 332 passing yards in a 24-20 comeback win. He was named the 100th Rose Bowl's Most Valuable Player.

Last year, he pushed Michigan State to an 11-2 record and one of the most improbable wins in bowl history. Michigan State trailed Baylor 41-21 early in the fourth quarter. Then Cook passed for three touchdowns in the final 12:09, including a 10-yarder with 17 seconds left, to pull out a 42-41 win.

'He's a very intense guy, a big competitor and he's locked in pretty much the whole game,' Michigan State center Jack Allen said. 'I wouldn't say he's as loose as some of the O-linemen and other guys on the team, but he's always locked in and wants to be perfect. Even when he does make a mistake, he has a short memory and keeps playing.'

Michigan State defenders also admire Cook's ability to guide the offense and provide leadership.

'I think Connor does a good job of getting everyone in order and understanding what the defense has aligned, checking to a different call if need be or understanding where the blitz is coming from,' Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun said. 'The offensive line also helps with that, too. I think Connor does a great job of making sure everybody's on their toes and they're light out there at the same time. No one's too stressed.'

Confidence never was a problem for Cook, even as he battled Maxwell for time two years ago. Now, with all of Michigan State's success, he exudes it.

'Obviously starting at a program like Michigan State is kind of nerve-wracking, especially your first year of doing it,' Cook said. 'But then just playing game after game. You're developing a comfort level and when you play another year. The game kind of slows down for you. Then you play another year and the game slows down even more.'

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