10 seconds is too long to run up the gut, which would likely take less than 5 seconds because the defense would be looking for it. And too long to take a chance on the QB running the time out because a desperate defense would really dig to get him, maybe within field goal range (though I understand MSU's kicker is not that good); regardless less field to score by any means. So I see 2 choices-- punt, or else drop back to pass, release the ball very high toward a sideline. Obviously the punter had done his thing many times in that game with no bobble like that, so there was probably no reason not to trust him to just handle the ball and kick it away. And since MSU put no one deep, a 'line drive' punt would have won the game for UM. So, the right decision was made. A "hail mary" pass works... 1 in 15-20 times, or something like that.So other rarer lone possibilities also work on rare occasions. And indeed, MSU not putting returner back meant all 11 were up front, and did that make the touchdown possible, when 1 less blocker might have foiled them? I give Dantonio the benefit of the doubt that he saw that as the only possibility, however weak, if UM lined up to punt and MSU went all-out pressure.
