It’s Michigan-Michigan State day, and instead of watching with my regular crew, I am sitting with my father in a hotel located on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio. Sure, we could’ve gone to a bar, but given Ohio’s new law allowing guns in bars (insert comment ripping on Ohio here), I think keeping my rabid love for Michigan away from Buckeye fans with guns is the smart move.
So I gotta be honest, I’m not expecting a win today. I truly believe it’s difficult to beat a solid, experienced quarterback (which Kurt Cousins is) on the road, and furthermore, I truly believe Michigan State’s defense is for real. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of gameplan Michigan has put together for this game. The announcers say that there is crazy wind in East Lansing right now, so hopefully the gameplan doesn’t involve a lot of passing.
Oh yeah, the commentators for this game are Chris Spielman and Urban Meyer, two guys that bleed Scarlet and Grey. Really, ESPN? I have a hunch my ears are going to be bleeding profusely before this day is out.
Anyway, without further ado, Michigan’s getting the ball, and we’re off to the races!
First Quarter: 13:00 - Couple of easy passes to start the game; that’s what Michigan needs to do
12:20 - Huge run by Vincent Smith... don’t know how he escaped the blitzer right there, but a huge gain early.
11:53 - Easy pass interference call, though the idiot Spielman thinks that Taylor Lewan was five yards downfield... Lewan’s shaken up on the play. Praying he’s ok.
11:04 - Spielman is actively rooting for MSU in the earlygoing, begging their coaches to alert the refs about illegal men downfield... that’s pretty pathetic. Instead, we have a delay of game penalty... that’s terrible to take. Big 3rd and 6 coming, and Michigan has to burn a timeout. Offense is sputtering. Meh
10:41 - Speed option on 3rd and 6 and Michigan doesn’t get it... field goal coming. But it’s a fake! Did we get it? It’s sooo close. Based on the awful spot; I don’t think we got it. But we did! Huge huge huge! Dileo took the ball and just eeked it out. 1st down!
9:45 - Dantonio challenges... but it’s going to be tough to overturn this. Spielman obviously thinks the runner was short, because god forbid Michigan does something right in his eyes. Play stands, State loses its challenge and a timeout.
9:00 - Woooo! Denard escapes a blitzer and then runs it in for a touchdown! A 15 yard run... he’s sooo good. That’s his 9th TD on the season, but they’re going to review it again to see if he stepped out of bounds. On replay, he’s in though. This should be a touchdown. And it is!
8:50 - 7-0 good guys. Incredible drive to start the game; exactly what had to happen. Kudos to Hoke for the fake field goal call, and kudos to Denard for marching his boys down the field. Now it’s time to play some defense!
8:45 - MSU starts on their own 37... man their uniforms are hideous. On 2nd and 10, Jake Ryan loses contain (what else is new), and Edwin Baker has a big run into Michigan territory
8:03 - Wow, Troy Woolfolk just got beat terribly, but Keyshawn Martin dropped the ball. How long before Countess is in the game?
7:30 - On 3rd and 7, MSU gets 8 on an out to Martin... we don’t have many guys that can stay with him
6:12 - Woolfolk blew that one on a run; he’s having a terrible game thus far. Baker again on an outside pitch. Michigan is having that issue again defending outside runs. 1st and goal from the 1. Touchdown MSU. That was a pretty shitty defensive drive right there.
5:02 - Michigan starts from the 37, but the run on 1st down gets stuffed. Gardner in on 2nd down, throws deep-ish to Odoms, but it goes incomplete. 3rd and 12 equals trouble, and Denard throws it to no one in particular. Punt. Time for the defense to step up.
3:00 - Michigan’s D-line is getting knocked around like crazy, but we’re getting lucky with some MSU drops. 3rd and 4 coming... Michigan really needs a big stop here. They get a stop, but MSU is close; Urban thinks MSU should punt, and it looks like they will, but gotta watch for the fake here. Great punt, Michigan will get the ball on the 6. Meh
1:03 - Gotta at least change the field position. Empty backfield. And they hit a big pass! A 30 yard pass to Junior Hemingway... the pass was almost picked, but it worked!
0:43 - Nothing on first down... our O-line isn’t getting much push on the zone read. That’s gonna end the first quarter, 7-7.
Second Quarter: 13:54 - Spielman and Urban cant fathom why Michigan should ever play Gardner. These guys are kind of dumb
13:30 - On 2nd and 1, there is simply no blocking from the O-line... MSU is setting up residence in the backfield on zone reads, and now its 3rd and 4. Robinson tries a slant, but it goes incomplete. Not a good throw by Denard, and Michigan will punt. Hagerup punts out of bounds at the 9. Nice punt, decent drive. But disappointing finish when you have a 2nd and 1 there. Coach Funk can’t be happy with the O-line play at this point, but we knew going in that MSU had a very good D-line.
11:21 - Big 3rd down here, and they complete an eeeeasy catch. Cunningham just made Hawthorne look stupid over the middle. Ball at the 29
9:35 - 3rd and 3 for MSU; Kovacs blitzes and Cousins throws to no one in particular... defense gets off the field!
9:05 - Michigan’s having trouble on first down, getting into a lot of 2nd and longs. I think Michigan’s gonna catch a break here, and they do with a roughing the passer call. Sparty is pretty stupid after watching that replay.
8:11 - After two runs by Denard, its gonna be 3rd and 2. Need this one here... Option coming? Option indeed, and Denard picks it up... barely.
7:03 - Michigan seems to be having a bunch of trouble getting their calls in and needs to call a 2nd timeout.
7:03 - Gardner in again, and misses a WIDE OPEN Hopkins, throwing incomplete to Hemingway instead. And then Denard throws to Michigan State on 3rd down, and they drop it. Denard doesn’t look happy, and he shouldn’t be. Punt goes out of bounds at the 5.
6:40 - Spielman and Meyer keep harping on Borges’ use of Gardner, but that 3rd down throw by Denard is a nice example of why they’re using both quarterbacks. The 2nd down miss of Hopkins notwithstanding, Gardner throws the better ball.
5:45 - After two runs, its 3rd and 4; MSU has had a lot of 3rd and shorts. Delay of game on MSU. That’ll push them back a little bit. On a little flat route, Courtney Avery plays great defense, and Sparty has to punt. Michigan will take over at their own 46, and it’d be reeeeally nice to get a score here at a relatively short field.
3:57 - Denard is really struggling with the wind, he can’t compete a pass here in the second quarter. Gardner in now, Denard out wide. Denard takes it on a jet sweep down to the MSU 40.
3:21 - Denard has a wide open Roundtree but throws behind him. Roundtree should’ve had that one though, went right off his hands. Too bad.
3:07 - 3rd and 7 now, and MSU is putting everyone in the box. A Michigan QB needs to make a throw. Michigan uses its last timeout. Hopefully Borges can come up with something special here.
2:29 - Unfortunately Denard can’t make a throw; this one to Gallon sails way over the top. Punt. And the refs rule that the punt went out of bounds at the 5. Hagerup is earning his stripes today. Michigan needs to make one more big defensive stand here.
1:33 - MSU looks like they have no interest in putting together a long drive after a first down run; strike that; now they go five wide. Short pass, and now they goes no huddle.
1:00 - MSU out to the 35 on a short dump pass, and a little out sets up 2nd and 1 at the 44.
0:46 - Michigan blitzes and Cousins throws it away. 3rd and 1 coming. Spielman calling for a draw... Broken play, and MSU looks like they’re short. It’s 4th down, and MSU will definitely just sit on it. We’re going to half at 7-7.
Halftime - Ugly half, for both teams really. It’s clearly windy, but Denard is struggling mightily. As per usual, it’s clearly going to come down to some halftime adjustments. Based on this season, that should put a check in Michigan’s favor, but Denard is going to have to figure out how to throw the ball to guys in white in order for Michigan to win this game.
On the other hand, after the first drive, Michigan’s defense has played pretty well. That said, they’re getting very little pressure, and Cousins is hitting on his passes when he’s able to sit back in the pocket. Hopefully Mattison will be able to make some changes in the locker room.
All in all, to be tied at the half after how poorly Denard Robinson played, I think Michigan has to consider it a win. This first defensive series in the second half is going to be massively huge. Remember, Michigan’s defense has only allowed 21 points in the second half all year. Will that trend continue? Let’s hope! This one’s gonna be a squeeze to the end.
Third Quarter: 15:00 - Not sure what that kickoff was; was it an onsides attempt? ESPN’s bootleg crew is so crappy that they wont even tell us why State is starting at their own 45. MSU with the wind to start the half.
12:57 - MSU is driving... already to the 32. Countess with a great defensive play on a pass. Spielman says its a drop; I say Spielman is the worst. Baker gets the first down on a pitch, runs to the 7 but looks like he stepped out right at the marker. Not a good drive defensively to start the half. Wow, they let the play call as stand, and MSU’s at the 7.
11:40 - Roh comes up big on 1st down, pushes state back to the 10. State goes play action but Ryan was right in Cousins’ face and he throws it out the back of the end zone. Huge, huge third down heere. Gotta hold Sparty to a field goal. But they fail, miserably. JT Floyd refuses to wrap up Keyshawn Martin at the five, and he dives across the goal line.
11:00 - It’s 14-7 MSU, as they take the ball with a relatively short field due to the mysterious kickoff and pretty much roll right down the field. Denard’s gotta respond in kind.
10:17 - Denard misses a wide open Roundtree. He can’t hit water from a boat at this point. Another 3rd and long. Wow. MSU is KILLING itself with penalties. This time, its a late hit on William Gholston. Cheaters.
9:30 - MSU blitzes and Denard is killed. Huge loss. 2nd and 19 from the 40. Denard with a draw and gets 12, so it’ll be 3rd and 8 for the second straight play. Need a play here.
8:11 - Roy Roundtree goes up high to make an incredible catch... he’s shaken up on the play, but man oh man, what a huge catch. Roundtree will be sore tomorrow
7:40 - There’s no running room for any of Michigan’s backs right now. 3rd and 8 for the third time on this drive. 1st down throw, but it’s gonna come back due to a hold on Huyge. No... make that two holdings; they called one on Omameh as well. 3rd and 18... trouble for Michigan. Denard throws it into double coverage and Michigan has to punt. Furman almost downed it, but instead of batting it back, he tries to hold on and it goes for a touchback.
6:26 - With Michigan’s complete inability to run the ball, MSU is dialing up blitz on almost every play. And with Michigan’s complete ineptness on offense, MSU could put this game away with TD drive here.
6:08 - Wowowow. Baker gets another huge run outside but then coughs it up! Michigan recovers another fumble, and HAS to score here. Michigan ball at MSU’s 41.
6:03 - Gardner in the game, and he throws to no one. At this point, it doesn’t matter who’s under center. Russell Bellomy anyone?
5:33 - 3rd and 8 seems to be the magic number right now, and Denard gets sacked. Huyge’s been beat repeatedly at right tackle in the second half. Michigan gets nothing out of the turnover. And on the punt, Carvin Johnson does something illegal, but ESPN obviously can’t get its act together to show anything of significance.
5:33 - So this is twice now that MSU’s gotten great field position in the second half with no explanation as to why. Wow, that’s a terrible call on a backwards pass; the refs ruled it dead, and MSU catches a huge break. Then they hit Cunningham wide open over the middle. 1st down Sparty
2:15 - Wow, on 3rd down, Cousins hits Cunningham again, who clearly drops the ball when he hits the ground, but there’s inexplicably no review. And oh by the way, ESPN’s crew didn’t even notice.
1:18 - Will Heninger is down on the field, and MSU has the ball at the 15. I fear that if MSU scores here, this game might be over.
0:24 - Keyshawn Martin with another touchdown on another well designed play. Michigan was in man to man, Martin faked in motion and Michigan’s defenders got picked. I hate to say it, but at 21-7, I can’t help but to feel that this one’s in the books. Good thing I said this wasn’t a must win game for Brady Hoke.
0:21 - MSU is just pinning its ears back and rushing the passer. MSU calls timeout to try and force Michigan to punt into the wind. It’d be really nice for Michigan to pick up the 1st down here. 3rd and 7... surprised it’s not 3rd and 8. Denard completes the first down pass to Roundtree, and then Williams Gholston straight punches Taylor Lewan for an extra 15 yards. Gholston needs to be kicked out of the game, but I doubt he will be.
End of the third quarter - yikes. That 15 minutes was reminiscent of 2008 Michigan. And that’s really not a fun year to harken back on.
15:00 - Chris Spielman says that Mike Dantonio stands for clean football. That’s as big a joke as Denard Robinson’s passing today. Speaking of Denard, he’s out after a 15 yard run.
14:28 - Gardner in at QB, and throws a 1st down strike to Roundtree. Denard back in now.
13:30 - Gholston makes a tackle; he’s obviously back in the game because Dantonio has never stood for good, clean football in his life. Gardner coming in now for 3rd and 11. Very interesting. Denard’s helmet is busted, apparently. And Gardner drops the snap. This is very very sad. Actually it was an awful snap by Molk. But still. Just a very poor showing all the way around.
Aside - I think Michigan State has more penalty yardage than Michigan has yards on offense. Seriously shoddy.
12:05 - 1st down Sparty at the 15. Holding on MSU. Can Michigan please stop the run here? They do, and and MSU is going to have to punt. Holding call was very big there. Now the offense has to do something that resembles anything.
9:56 - they certainly have the field position; Michigan will start at the 35. Heyyyyy!!!! Denard hits Roundtree on a slant, he escapes and scores! Touchdown Michigan. Spielman takes credit by saying that Denard should never leave the field, but whatever. It’s 21-14, and we’ve suddenly got a ballgame again.
9:36 - Unbelievable. Keyshawn Martin fumbles after a huge pickup on the reverse. JT Floyd knocks it right out when he wraps up, and Michigan gets the ball right back!
9:29 - Denard takes another sack. Vincent Smith missed a block big time on that one. After a short gain, it’s gonna be 3rd and 12. I think this is two down territory, as long as Michigan doesn’t go backwards here. Denard escapes on third, but throws a to Koger, who sets up a 4th and inches on a throwback. Here we go! Denard picks it up after a great ball fake on a zone read. He pulled the ball back so late.
7:41 - Denard drops the snap on 1st down, picks it up and loses just two. He needs to calm down a bit. After an incomplete pass, its 3rd and 11. Michigan needs another big play here. MSU is coming on every down. Denard hits Gallon, looks like a fourth and short here. Going for it again.
And stuffed. Michigan tries for play action and gets nothing. Awful call there. That one hurts like woah.
4:53 - Michigan forces a 3 and out, and will get yet another chance. Still can’t believe they didn’t run the ball on 4th down. Michigan will have it on their own 34.
4:31 - Ballgame. Denard throws a pick 6 from a five wide set; MSU blitzes (of course), and the Michigan receiver wasn’t even close to looking for the ball on a hot read. That was on Vincent Smith all the way... he’s having a career-worst game.
4:25 - Denard is hurt after taking a ridiculous roughing the passer penalty; that’s 13 penalties on MSU, at least half of which have been personal fouls. Anyone who thinks this team isn’t filled with egregious cheaters is fooling themselves.
4:05 - Devin throws one deep but late, and it goes incomplete. On 2nd down, Gardner goes waaay over the line of scrimmage; he hit Hemingway for a touchdown, but this one will come back. Too bad. 3rd and 15 from the 34. Devin sacked on a three man rush. Been some pathetic O-line play today by Michigan.
2:23 - Just a poor, poor effort by Michigan. It’ll be very interesting to see how these next two weeks go. Michigan’s gonna hear a lot of shit - “same old same old.... here comes the Michigan collapse...”
It’s a final, 28-14. MSU did what they had to do. But man, that was one of the ugliest offensive performances I’ve seen in years. Was Michigan State’s defense really that good? Can Al Borges restore confidence in his quarterbacks, neither of which is any good right now? Can Al Borges quit outsmarting himself by calling ridiculous play actions on 4th and inches? A lot of questions coming up for the maize and blue.
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