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Mark Dantonio willing to take risks with trick plays and Michigan is on alert

EAST LANSING - Three possessions, three punts and just 56 yards gained.

It was late in the first quarter, Michigan State was trailing 7-0 at Penn State and its offense was stagnant.

So, instead of punting for the fourth straight time to open the game, coach Mark Dantonio called for a fake. Running back Connor Heyward picked up 26 yards to keep the drive alive and it resulted in a touchdown. It was a turning point as Michigan State went on to pull out a 21-17 upset win at Penn State last week.

"You've got to take risks as coaches sometimes too and I thought it was the right time," Dantonio said Tuesday.