NFL Draft: MSU QB Connor Cook Struggles in Win vs. Nebraska

Oct 4, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) prepares to take the snap of the ball from Michigan State Spartans center Jack Allen (66)during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has often been the subject of discussions centered around the most underrated draft prospects in all of college football, and rightfully so. While players like Kirk Cousins and Brian Hoyer have found starting jobs in the NFL, Cook is widely expected to be the first Spartan quarterback drafted in the first or second round as a potential franchise QB.

Cook, while enjoying a fine season, had his share of struggles against Nebraska. Early on, it appeared Cook was in line for another big game. Michigan State had a 27-3 lead and didn’t appear to be in any imminent danger of blowing their lead the way the defense had been playing. Nebraska had other plans.

Scoring 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, Nebraska stormed back into this game but still lost by a final score of 27-22. Cook finished the game 11-of-29 passing for 234 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Michigan State certainly isn’t known as a passing juggernaut, but a first round quarterback needs to be more efficient than that in a big, prime time game.

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Like I said, Cook made some really nice throws including a long touchdown pass to Tony Lippett (another player that warrants some serious discussion in draft circles) which was on the money. That said, I want to see more from Cook in this type of game. Nebraska has a very good defense when they want to, and Cook’s interception came on a tipped ball that was caught by Randy Gregory, a defensive lineman.

All that matters for Cook in the short term is getting this win. For the long-term, it would have been nice to have seen him be more effective passing the football, especially in the fourth quarter. He’ll have plenty of big games this year to prove what he can do, but this was a game that stood out among the best of the great week in college football and Cook was somewhat underwhelming.