Funny. The ES poll posted who would be the player of the game for MSU vs ND. 119 people voted. Only one - 1 - voted for punter Aaron Bates, who obviously was the player of the game... not only for punting, but also for passing. Bates not only THREW the TD pass in OT to win the game, but his big-time 55-yard punt near the end of regulation bailed Kirk Cousins out of a NIMROD-type play which stopped the clock and could have potenially given the Irish position to kick the winning FG prior to the end of regulation.

Yes, Bates was the player of the game. He was also named Big Ten Player of the Week:

"SR, P, New Concord, Ohio/John Glenn
Bates completed a 29-yard touchdown pass to tight end Charlie Gantt off a fake field goal attempt in overtime to give Michigan State a 34-31 victory over Notre Dame. The senior punter also recorded eight punts for 363 yards, good for an average of 45.4 per boot, and placed two punts inside the 20-yard line. Bates currently ranks third in the conference with 45.9 yards per punt, including a long of 62 yards against the Fighting Irish. The Ohio native collects weekly laurels for the first time in his career."