Ohio State Buckeyes

Dantonio evokes Ohio State title team after closer-than-expected win

Published Sep. 28, 2015 10:04 a.m. ET

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Marcus Hartman

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio did not sound alarmed by his second-ranked Spartans having to grind out a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives to pull away from underdog Central Michigan on Saturday. 

He preferred to look on the bright side when it comes to seeing some of his guys make game-deciding plays on a regular basis rather than cruising to victory. 

"I was on a football team in 2002 when we won eight games by less than a touchdown," he said in his postgame press conference. "We won a national championship."

Dantonio was referring to his time as defensive coordinator at Ohio State. 

Although the Buckeyes actually had seven wins by seven points or less, including two overtime wins, the point remains: Getting used to coming through in the clutch can be valuable as the season wears on. 

"You just keep playing, and it gives you confidence when you can make plays down the stretch because at the end of the day there's pressure," Dantonio said. "You're playing under high pressure situations, especially when the expectation is for you to win. To be able to play in the highest pressure situations should give you the most confidence as you continue building your experience." 

This is at least the second time this season Dantonio has mentioned the 2002 Ohio State team when talking about his current squad. 

In Chicago in July at Big Ten Media Days Dantonio said the 2015 MSU defensive line could rival the 2002 Buckeyes. 

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