Spartans QB Connor Cook shines in the spotlight

East Lansing — Connor Cook relishes the big stage.

The fifth-year senior quarterback has made his name in the spotlight, and he’ll have a chance to do that again Saturday when No. 7 Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor to take on No. 12 Michigan.

“Connor Cook does a great job,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “He’s been in big games before, he’s excelled in big games before.”

It’s something that has been in the works since Cook set foot on the field for the Spartans. The first signal of his flair for the dramatic came in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl when, as a redshirt freshman, he took over for junior Andrew Maxwell and led the Spartans on the winning drive.

It was a sign of things to come as Cook wrestled the starting job from Maxwell the next fall and carried the Spartans on a journey that continues today.

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The past couple seasons, Cook has led Michigan State to two straight bowl victories as a starter — beating Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl and Baylor in last season’s Cotton Bowl.

In 2013 alone, a season he started as Maxwell’s backup, Cook was at his best in Michigan State’s biggest games. He was named MVP of the Big Ten championship game when Michigan State handed Ohio State coach Urban Meyer his only loss to a conference opponent, and was Offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl.

He continued that success last season as Michigan State had its most prolific offensive run in history. Cook threw for 3,214 yards and 24 touchdowns while the Spartans set records for points (559), total offense (6,510) offensive touchdowns (70) and scoring average (43 points).

His best games came in Michigan State’s losses — 343 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon and 358 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State.

But, he closed with another classic.

Michigan State trailed Baylor, 41-21, in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl, only to come storming back with three unanswered touchdowns, the last a 10-yard strike from Cook to Keith Mumphery with 17 seconds left. It left Cook in tears on the sidelines as he overcame two interceptions to throw for 314 yards and two touchdowns.

Now the winningest quarterback in Michigan State history at 29-3, Cook is looking forward to that next big game, and loves the idea of playing in front of a hostile crowd.

“In an environment like that as soon as Michigan makes one big play, the stadium is going to erupt,” Cook said. “But we’ve just got to continue to fight forward and fight to the end.”

Back in rhythm

It’s something Cook and the Spartans have grown accustomed to the past two seasons. Cook’s numbers prove that, as does the fact Michigan State has won 32 of its last 35 games, including 10 straight Big Ten road games.

That seasoning in difficult environments is something Cook believes will pay off at Michigan Stadium, the only Big Ten venue where the senior class has not won.

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“Playing in stadiums like Iowa, in stadiums like Nebraska, playing at the Rose Bowl and playing Ohio State at Indianapolis when 75-80 percent of the people there were rooting for Ohio State (prepares you),” Cook said. “We’ve played in loud environments before, playing at Oregon, so obviously playing in those type of venues will have me ready for a venue like this.”

And it doesn’t hurt that Cook appears to be finding his rhythm after a bit of a sluggish start.

Cook had a career-high 367 yards in last week’s victory over Rutgers. But it was the way he threw the ball under pressure that was impressive. With the game on the line, he threaded a pass to R.J. Shelton for 29 yards on third down as the Spartans marched for the winning score.

It certainly drew the attention of the Wolverines.

“Outstanding quarterback,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “The record speaks for itself: 29-3. ... And the most outstanding wide receivers that we’ve played against, or may ever. This is an explosive, talented group of eligible receivers.”

Cook spread the ball around last week as Aaron Burbridge had 10 catches for 156 yards and Macgarrett Kings Jr. and DeAnthony Arnett had touchdown receptions. It was the type of play many expected when Cook’s name was mentioned in the Heisman race before the season. And it was one his coaches knew was possible if they opened up the offense.

“He’s performed real well,” co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner said before last week’s game. “He’s thrown the ball well, higher percentage, which is one thing we talked about going into this season.

“At the same time we need to start expanding his role a little bit maybe and throw it around a little bit more.”

Stiff test anticipated

Cook’s 39 attempts last week were a season high, and that could continue this week against Michigan’s defense, which is allowing fewer points (6.3) than any team in the nation.

The Wolverines also are coming off three straight shutouts and have the No. 2 total defense in the country, but that won’t force Cook to shy away.

In fact, he’s embracing another opportunity to shine in a big game.

“For them to pitch three straight shutouts, that’s hard to do in college football, doesn’t matter who you are, doesn’t matter who you are playing,” Cook said. “To shut out the opponent, that’s hard to do, and they have a great defense.

“So me as a quarterback, us as an offense, and us as a team, we’re looking forward to going into there and playing against a defense like that because you want to play against the best, and you want to play against the top-ranked teams, top-ranked defenses.”

mcharboneau@detroitnews.com

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