Best points of pavement-grading win by Spartans over Frigging Irish

My, oh my, there are few things better in life than watching the Michigan State Spartans destroy the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.  Under the arms of Touchdown Jesus.  Yes.

That's an Irish road we paved-graded
last Saturday

There was the ES at the altar, the Peanut Barrell, as he watched Madre London run straight through a gaping hole in the Irish defense, 73 yards to paydirt.  Jumping in the air with the rest of the Spartan brethren, screaming "run it down their troats."  Up 36-7, up by 29 points. In South Bend.  Jesus?  Yes. Or, for that matter, LJ Scott running 5 yards here, 6 yards there, etc..  Tyler O'Conner, as predicted, will be just fine.  An impressive, 19-for-26 with 241 yards in the air, 2 TDs, including several downfield 25+ yarders to RJ Shelton (8-80), Madaris(2-40) and incredible play by Corley (4-88).  Third down conversions?  MSU 9-of-18 (50%).  Wow.  Get the pavement grader ready this year.  We're back. 

Guinness can get you to 100, but it
won't help you beat the Spartans

Now, let's talk smack.  The Irish came into the game with their typical swagger, 80,000 under the open arms of God, expecting to revamp their failed crappy play at Texas (who lost at Cal 50-44 by the way). Well, Brian Kelly has his Irish boys consuming the Guinness instead of paying attention to the O-Line gap blocks that left wide open holes for the Big Green all day.  

Defensively, the Spartans played GREAT ALL DAY until they took the foot off the gas.  When you got a pig cornered, put a leg on the throat and stick the knife in real good - let the blood squirt all over.  Prevent defense NEVER works, surprised to see it out of Coach D. He should know better.  Still MSU amassed a huge lead on the road that was difficult to Fk-up. 

MSU's defense and offense combination was dominant enough for a 37-23 time advantage.  A 260-57 rushing advantage.  Dominant.

Although giving up 401 yards, most of those were after the Spartans were kicking ass by 29+ points.  The defensive line controlled scrimmage, and the LBs were lights out.  The secondary is rounding into shape, and the ES digs Darian Hicks and Chris Frey.  

Damn, we're fine. We've moved up to #8, and rightfully so.  MSU kicked ass! Bring on Wisky. 

Team Statistics (Final) 
2016 Michigan State Football 
#12 Michigan State vs #18 Notre Dame (Sep 17, 2016 at Notre Dame, Ind.)

Team Totals	MSU	ND
FIRST DOWNS	22	19
Rushing	9	3
Passing	12	14
Penalty	1	2
NET YARDS RUSHING	260	57
Rushing Attempts	52	25
Average Per Rush	5.0	2.3
Rushing Touchdowns	3	2
Yards Gained Rushing	277	74
Yards Lost Rushing	17	17
NET YARDS PASSING	241	344
Completions-Attempts-Int	19-26-1	20-37-1
Average Per Attempt	9.3	9.3
Average Per Completion	12.7	17.2
Passing Touchdowns	2	2
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS	501	401
Total offense plays	78	62
Average Gain Per Play	6.4	6.5
Fumbles: Number-Lost	0-0	2-2
Penalties: Number-Yards	3-45	4-51
PUNTS-YARDS	7-266	6-302
Average Yards Per Punt	38.0	50.3
Net Yards Per Punt	37.0	50.3
Inside 20	2	3
50+ Yards	0	3
Touchbacks	0	0
Fair catch	1	3
KICKOFFS-YARDS	6-383	5-276
Average Yards Per Kickoff	63.8	55.2
Net Yards Per Kickoff	45.5	36.8
Touchbacks	2	2
Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD	0-0-0	3-7-0
Average Per Return	0.0	2.3
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD	3-42-0	3-60-0
Average Per Return	14.0	20.0
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD	1-0-0	1-30-0
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD	0-0-0	0-0-0
Miscellaneous Yards	0	0
Possession Time	37:57	22:03
1st Quarter	8:46	6:14
2nd Quarter	9:15	5:45
3rd Quarter	9:52	5:08
4th Quarter	10:04	4:56
Third-Down Conversions	9 of 18	4 of 11
Fourth-Down Conversions	1 of 1	1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances	3-3	4-4
Touchdowns	3-3	4-4
Field goals	0-3	0-4
Sacks By: Number-Yards	2-11	0-0
PAT Kicks	4-4	4-4
Field Goals	0-0	0-0
Points off turnovers	15	0

Analyzing 4th quarter woes: MSU is moving on UP!

After the 45-31 win at Purdue, the Big Green is moving on up, this time to #6 in the coaches poll, but remain at #8 in the media poll (see below). This is fine, whisper words of wisdom, Let it Be.   The Big Green will keep winning (a 2-TD favorite at Indy) and make adjustments to the point that it excels like a well-oiled machine by the time we meet the stumbling Wolverines.  Hopefully.

This team is interesting.  It has so much firepower:  the second quarter explosion at Oregon, the three-quarter domination vs. Nebraska, the third-quarter surge at Purdue.  Michigan State currently ranks fourth nationally in scoring at 45.5 points per game.

The problem is the 4th quarter.  Against decent competition this fall, Michigan State has faltered after its scoring explosion, being outscored 47-7 against these same teams in the final stanza.  This differs greatly from last year's squad, which outscored teams 112-30 in the fourth quarter over the season.

Yes, the Spartans have given up more points in the 4th quarter during six games this year than in all of 14 games last year.  Ahem, that's a problem.

On the other hand, this season's Michigan State team has already scored 245 points through the first three quarters in just six games, which is on pace to nearly double last year's team which scored 299 points through the first three quarters during the 14-game season.  And, the 80 points against the Big Green D over the first three quarters so far this season is only about half of the 155 given up in all of last year.

Here is the comparison, MSU scoring 2013 vs 2014

GP (Games Played),  Q (Quarter)

	GP	Q 1-3	Q 4
Offense:
2014	6	245	28
2013	14	299	112
Defense:
2014	6	80	54
2013	14	155	30

The stats don't lie.  The MSU scoring offense is far more explosive and efficient than last year's squad.  And the defense is not as stingy.  But, can these forces equate to more wins in 2014?  It seems to be a dicey game - and one that has proved victorious in competition against teams from non-interesting locations (West Lafayette, Laramie, Lincoln); but there is work to do to shore up the game when playing Ohio State, and/or the potential B1G title game.

What is also impressive is that this Michigan State team is dictating the game more often than not, leading the nation in Time of Possession, with 35:52 per game.  That is very impressive of a team that is also #17 in Total Offense at 502.3 yards per game... but, moreover:  #2 in the country in Turnover Margin, at 1.83 per game; #5 in Rushing Defense at 81.5 yards per game; and #12 overall in defense at 304.2 yards per game.

In other words, statistically this team is very very stout.  The problem is this 4th quarter hiccup in the three games... otherwise, MSU would likely lead in every single statistical category in the nation.

Shoring up the defense in the 4th quarter, completing passes on third downs in the 4th quarter, and not trying a fake-punt in our own territory in the 4th quarter would go a long way toward a greater statistical advantage... and less nausea.  Furthermore, MSU showed poor form with the young LB Riley Bullough (#30) out of position on a 52-yard TD run by the Boiler's Akeem Hunt; as well as  the once-again-close-but-no-cigar, 4th-quarter phantom-INT by Kurtis Drummond that led to a 12-yd first down completion on a TD drive by Purdue.

But, it is a game of inches.  And, vs both Nebraska and Purdue, the defense picked off passes late in the game that were definitive in the Spartan victories.

This week, our Michigan State team has another good test to get its act in order vs a high-flying Indiana team.  Let's see if they can settle down, again score early but for once put the game away early in the 4th quarter and keep the Hoosiers at bay.  Here's the USA Today poll for you to enjoy...

USA Today Poll
RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Mississippi State (26)	6-0	1490
2	Florida State (31)	6-0	1489
3	Ole Miss (5)	6-0	1436
4	Baylor	6-0	1392
5	Notre Dame	6-0	1292
6	Michigan State	5-1	1129
7	Alabama	5-1	1121
8	Auburn	5-1	1111
9	Oregon	5-1	1017
10	Georgia	5-1	1013
11	Oklahoma	5-1	1005
12	TCU	4-1	824
13	Ohio State	4-1	737
14	Kansas State	4-1	710
15	Oklahoma State	5-1	610
16	East Carolina	5-1	518
17	Arizona	5-1	502
18	Arizona State	4-1	471
19	Nebraska	5-1	433
20	Stanford	4-2	344
21	Texas A&M	5-2	269
22	Clemson	4-2	244
23	Utah	4-1	161
24	Marshall	6-0	153
25	USC	4-2	125

• Dropped from rankings: UCLA 17, Georgia Tech 23, Missouri 24
• 
  
• Others receiving votes: UCLA 116, LSU 80, Minnesota 78, Duke 70, Washington 70, Kentucky 37, Wisconsin 34, West Virginia 17, Iowa 15, Georgia Tech 14, Oregon State 10, Colorado State 5, Missouri 5, BYU 2, Rutgers 1

Spring Game 2014: The Beauty of Defense

The ES wuz at the Peanut Barrel, chugging few beers with Big Bob et al, and sitting next to BTN (formerly WLNS-TV 6) Lisa Byington... just gushing about the talent seen at the Spartan Green and White game... Wow.

A few thoughts: OK, a few poor throws by Connor Cook (and Tyler O'Connor), but the other side  would be a few great throws, particularly the beautiful TD pass from O'Connor to a stretching Keith Mumphery in the end zone, and the very very nice reads by Cook to both WR Aaron Burbridge and TE Josiah Price.  Just real, real nice plays.  Backup QB Damien Terry gave the crowd a scare with a bruised shoulder after being slammed into the turf, but he showed he has nice wheels and good athletic ability. The ES enjoyed the play of Tony Lippett  today - 7 catches for 93 yards - keeping up his improved play from last year.  Wow.

More impressively today was just the look by the MSU defense. Some great plays by Darian Hicks (CB, #2, 5-10, 181-lbs), as well as on the DL by  Shilique Calhoun (#89), and Damon Knox (#93).  Kurtis Drummond (#27) had some great plays in the defensive backfield as well as Ezra Robinson (#37).  The defensive backfield looks very strong, surprisingly; and the interior line looks brutal - add Lawrence Thomas (#8) and the interior looks arguably STRONGER than last year - just 132 yards rushing between the two sides in this Spring game on 39 carries.  Ugh, that is truly beautiful.

Check out the video of my walk up to the stadium below, as well as some photos.  Temperature was about 57 degrees and sunny skies.  Beautiful weather. GO GREEN.  The bottom line is the ES found this team's Spring Game talent, competition, and execution to be at such a higher level as I've ever seen before - looks like Title Town!!  Can't wait until we travel to Oregon - the Ducks have no idea what type of insanity on defense they will expect.  Maybe the Big Green can finally win at Oregon?  The ES was there the last two times - at Eugene in 1999 (we were down 42-0 at half) and in 1982 (we lost by 20 or 30).  Can't wait until the start of 2014 season!!!

(Walk up to Spartan Stadium):

(Below: Josiah Price on the game winning TD pass from Connor Cook with 1:01 left)

(A great crowd, maybe 45,000 in attendance.  Best ever for an MSU Spring Game):

The victory formation

The best formation in the history of football.

And, the iconic photo of the final score and brutalizing statistics...

Best defensive performance in ES' 45 years of life: Spartans crucify Wolverines

LET'S BE HONEST. WE KNOW WHAT WE SAW. That includes this jerk in our Section 19, who kept yelling "where's that defense?"  What an idiot. 

Spartans were up 16-6, dominating on defense.  MSU just got the ball at midfield, but they had a tough time moving the ball throughout the game.  QB Connor Cook rolled right and lofted a ball - a bad pass - intercepted by Michigan, returned to the MSU 40.

And, then the dance began.

Michigan State beared down in a Herculean effort greater than any effort I have seen in my life.  Three straight plays, three sacks in a row, mauling and overrunning that Wolverine offensive line.  Instead of moving the ball into Spartan territory, the Wolverines retreated 21 yards!!!  Time to punt; and, MSU took that return, made it into a drive that ended all the way in the end zone.  

I have been alive since 1968.  But, I never thought I'd ever see complete devastation by a MSU defense until what I saw today... luckily, the Spartans used their horror to destroy Michigan.

We destroyed them. Humiliation. Annihilation.  Obliteration.  Mauling.  Destruction.  Cremation.  Dilapidation.  Decapitation. Whipping.  Slaughter.  Massacre.

It was a feast of roadkill. That Spartan defense ate Michigan alive.

While humiliation is a good word for what I saw today - it was closer to a burial. As predicted by the ES, Michigan State's defense dug a hole and buried Gardner like a potato.   Time and time again.  Stomped on Gardner as if he were a fly.  Seven sacks?  Is that all? it seemed like 30 sacks.  He was running for his life all game long. 

And, Michigan had two weeks to prepare for this.  You could have given them two months and it would not have mattered.  Michigan State is just a far far better football team than that line of blue.

Michigan had 29 attempts at running, for -48 yards rushing in a 6-29 mauling at the hands of Michigan State. In other words, every time they ran the ball, Michigan lost 1.7 yards. It was the worst outing in the history of Michigan football.  And, it looked worse than that. Seven sacks by the Spartans, and 11 tackles for loss.  Another 7 QB hurries, 3 pass breakups. Wow.  Talk about pressure.  And, complete domination.  Michigan finished the game a meager 2-of-14 (14%) on third downs. Look at the MSU defensive stats, lit up like a Christmas tree.

Love the quote from Brady Hoke on Gardner: "He had taken a lot of shots earlier in the game, and he's a little bit warn out. I wouldn't say he has an injury. I'd say beat up." Or, this from Hoke:  "I think they played awfully well and executed awfully well. I don't think we did."

Better yet was this from Spartan LB Denicos Allen: ""Two years ago wasn't nothing. It was a lot worse today, and I think they felt it."

REPEAT:  I THINK THEY FELT IT. 

At the end of the third quarter, Devin Gardner  had just threw away the 7th of 8 throws against an incredible Michigan State's defensive rush.  Next play, to Jeremy (built up to be a "God for catching 300+receiving yards in a game") Gallon, was caught but he fumbled, losing the yards just gained and leading to a punt ... a play that defined Michigan's destiny as no match against the more talented and physical Michigan State team.  Gallon was a mere afterthought in this game, as was anyone on the Michigan offense.  

Well, I guess Connor Cook is less talented of a QB than Devin Gardner, right?  Ummm.... lookit the stats:

Cook: 18-33, 252 yds,  1 TD, 1 INT.  Rush: 5 carries, -15 yds
Gardner 14-27, 210 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT. Rush: 18 carries, -46 yds

Jesus, Cook outplayed Gardner.  Not as flashy, but certainly more effective within his offensive scheme. 

And, Fitz Toussant with his "little brother" comment?  Gimme a break.  He had 20 yards on 8 carries; a complete non-factor. 

However, today belonged to the Spartan defense, solidifying itself as the best in the land.  The Spartan defense DOMINATED Michigan the entire game, pushing around that offensive line as if the UM O-Line were filled with rag dolls. Embarrassing?  Yes. Beautiful?  Absolutely.

Can't wait 'til Michigan returns next year.  They can come to East Lansing anytime.  

Enjoy the pics below.

Today was the best defensive football game I have ever seen Michigan State University play in my lifetime.  Period. 

MICH	MSU
1st Downs	12	19
3rd down efficiency	2-14	9-18
4th down efficiency	0-1	0-0
Total Yards	168	394
Passing	216	252
Comp-Att	15-30	18-33
Yards per pass	7.2	7.6
Rushing	-48	142
Rushing Attempts	29	39
Yards per rush	-1.7	3.6
Penalties	3-39	5-25
Turnovers	1	1
Fumbles lost	0	0
Interceptions thrown	1	1
Possession	27:39	32:21

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