Dec. 01--The Iowa and Michigan State players who spoke Monday on the Big Ten media teleconference were asked to make an opening statement. Several, apparently nervous, were stumped.
"That's pretty hard," one remarked. "I don't know what to say."
Then came this ...
"Hello, I'm Connor Cook."
Cook knows who he is. More to the point, he knows how this works.
The 22-year-old Ohio native has done just about everything in his five years at Michigan State. His stacked resume includes a 33-4 record as a starter, Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 Big Ten title game and offensive MVP of that season's Rose Bowl.
This weekend will mark his third trip to Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium for the Big Ten title game, including his 2011 redshirt season. The Spartans lost to Russell Wilson-led Wisconsin that year but thumped Ohio State two seasons later.
"That's been the talk around here," Cook said. "We've lost there and we've won there, so we know what to expect. We know what it's like to stay in Indy, the (pregame) walk-through, the whole nine yards. Having that experience will pay dividends for us."
Cook had a spectacular season, finishing second in the Big Ten behind Indiana's Nate Sudfeld in passing efficiency. He threw for 24 touchdowns with just four interceptions.
He also runs effectively enough to merit designed rushing plays, impressive for a 6-foot-4, 220-pound pro-style quarterback.
"I'm not a dual threat by any means," he said. "My comfort is being in the pocket, throwing on the move here and there. But if the opportunity presents itself, I will try to make a play with my feet. It's just an instinct thing."
Coach Mark Dantonio's instinct was right when he tossed the keys to Cook in 2013, supplanting former captain Andrew Maxwell. Cook's first Big Ten victory came against none other than Iowa -- a 26-14 road win in which he completed 25 of 44 passes for 277 yards and two scores.
"I was extremely nervous," Cook recalled.
No one describes him that way now.
"He's a very intense guy, always locked in," center Jack Allen said. "I would not say he's as loose as some of the O-linemen. He wants to be perfect. But when he does make a mistake, he has a short memory."
Said Iowa linebacker Cole Fisher: "He really knows the offense inside and out. He's accurate with throws and will surprise you with his feet if he gets in space. We're not really sure how healthy he is, but he played extremely well (Saturday)."
Cook was sidelined for the stunning victory at Ohio State that flipped Michigan State's season. But lingering concerns about his shoulder were alleviated with a 19-for-26 performance Saturday against Penn State that featured touchdown strikes of 29 yards to R.J. Shelton, 29 to Aaron Burbridge and 6 to tight end Josiah Price.
The performance made him the most productive offensive player in Michigan State history with 9,018 total yards, topping Kirk Cousins' total of 9,004.
That's big stuff, but Cook wants more -- namely a spot in the College Football Playoff that likely would follow a victory Saturday.
"It would be huge," Cook said, "to play on a stage that big."
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
