Michigan State football now has the highest two-year win total since the 1965-66 seasons. Those Duffy Daugherty-led teams had a two season record of 19-1-1. The 2010-11 Dantonio squads have needed more games to win their 19th, and currently stand at 19-4, with at least three games remaining in the season. Not to get too ahead of ourselves, but if MSU wins the rest of their regular season games, wins the Big Ten Championship game, and then tops it all off with a bowl victory, they will have a two year record of 23-4. Not too shabby.
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Yesterday in Big Ten action:
Michigan State 37, Iowa 21. This was a huge win for the Spartans in so many ways. MSU finally gets that "can't win in Iowa" monkey off their collective backs. (If I'd known back in '89 that the Spartans wouldn't win in Iowa again for another 22 years, I'd have made a point to actually remember the game). Plus, the additional monkey of "can't win an important road game" is removed. It was also a big win within the Legends Division, knocking Iowa out of contention and making State's road to the title game quite clear: beat Indiana and Northwestern and the Spartans are in. Kirk Cousins has to be feeling great, vindicating himself after his poor play last year in Iowa City.
Great to see the Spartans get the running game going, and another great performance from Le'Veon Bell. Also impressive the way the Spartans were able to contain Marcus Coker.
Nebraska 17, Penn State 14. From all appearances, it was an emotional day in State College. I worried that it would be an ugly scene, but the highlights I've seen indicate it was the opposite. Perhaps continuing on with football is part of the healing process for the Penn State community.
Penn State deserves credit for fighting back and putting themselves in a position to win that game.
With road games against Ohio State and Wisconsin, the Nittany Lions may struggle to win another game the rest of the regular season. Spartan Nation will be in the uncomfortable position of rooting for Michigan against Nebraska next Saturday: a Wolverine win combined with a Spartan win over Indiana will clinch the Legends Division for MSU.
Michigan 31, Illinois 14. Solid road win for Michigan, but could Illinois have possibly looked more inept? Could the Zooker be on the way out?
Wisconsin 42, Minnesota 13. I'm surprised the Gophers didn't put up more of a fight in this game, especially considering it was at home. Do they not have anything left in the tank after playing well against Iowa and MSU?
Northwestern 28, Rice 6. The Wildcats feast on perennial bottom feeder Rice in a non-conference matchup. Did the 'Cats and Owls compare GPAs after the game and possibly challenge each other to a game of Trivial Pursuit or a chess tournament? Kidding aside, the 'Cats are a dangerous team and could give the Spartans fits on November 26.
Purdue 26, Ohio State 23. This one shouldn't have surprised me too much, as the Boilermakers have given the Buckeyes all they can handle and more in West Lafayette. Luke Fickell probably killed any realistic chance he had at taking "interim" off his title.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Michigan State 37, Iowa 21...and how a Spartan football win always leaves me in a warm glow
I assumed my favorite MSU football viewing position, lying down on my side directly in front of our living room's Samsung flat screen television, and watched with great pleasure the first half of MSU's pummeling of the Iowa Hawkeyes. I was thrilled to see the Spartans jump all over the Hawkeyes from the get-go, and play with a focus and determination certainly not seen in last year's game.
At halftime, I drove over to OfficeMax to pick up some school supplies for my son, and arrived home in time to, unfortunately, suffer though most of the third quarter. I'm sorry folks, but when James Vandenberg made the long pass completion to Marvin McNutt, setting up Iowa's second touchdown of the quarter, I about lost it. I said, F@$k this sh*t! and went out to rake leaves. I know, I'm a bad fan. Oh me of little faith.
I felt as if I'd seen this script before. MSU gets off to a big lead in Iowa City and blows it. Once agin, me of little faith. I was having flashbacks of all the times Hayden Fry's bunch delivered heartbreakers to the Spartans (1985, 1986, 1996 to name a few), and those heartbreakers and ass kickings of more recent vintage (2007, 2009, 2010). I needed to work off some steam in a manor more constructive than sending my foot through my precious Samsung TV.
When I came back inside, about 2 minutes remained in the game. Kirk Cousins and the offense were in "victory formation". I could breathe easier.
A Spartan football win always puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day and sets the tone for the entire weekend. Sad but true that the outcome of a relatively meaningless athletic contest between 18-22 year olds, the outcome of which I have no control, can either make me giddy or depressed for the remainder of the weekend. I'm 43 years old, for God's sake--you'd think in my advanced age I'd have acquired the wisdom and perspective to be over this sort of silliness.
With the Spartans getting a huge win on the road--and in Iowa City, a place where they'd lost seven straight--I am now free to enjoy the next week. I can watch other college football games and not care too much about the outcome. I can read the "Blue Wall" Detroit sportswriters and laugh at their commentaries, I can peruse the Red Cedar Message Board and look forward to Sunday morning, when I will pour over the Lansing State Journal sports section and count down the minutes until the "dean of mid-Michigan sports" (ha!) Tim Staudt comes on with his local Sunday morning sports show. And I know that I need not avoid sports talk radio in the upcoming week, but can embrace it.
Carrier Classic basketball game and the Iowa football game
What a scene last night on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson. Kudos to Mark Hollis and Michigan State University for pulling off what looked to be a beautiful evening of basketball on an aircraft carrier. Everyone was a winner last night: MSU, the University of North Carolina, the United States Navy, and everyone involved with last night's spectacle.
Despite the Spartans' loss in the game, there are reasons to be encouraged. The team played tough defense, were great on the boards, and hung with the Tar Heels through the entire game.
One minor quibble I have is that it was difficult to enjoy watching the game on television, though the overhead, panoramic shots of the harbor and the carrier were splendid. However, the glare from the court, due to the sun, was not easy on my eyes. That's the end of my complaining. It was, overall, a great event.
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Now, on to today's Iowa football game. If the Spartans can overcome the mistakes they made in last year's Iowa game, they should be fine. Come out focused and mean, and MSU should beat Iowa. Still, Kinnick Stadium is a daunting place, and for whatever reason the Spartans have struggled there. Eventually, their luck has to change. Right? We shall see.
Despite the Spartans' loss in the game, there are reasons to be encouraged. The team played tough defense, were great on the boards, and hung with the Tar Heels through the entire game.
One minor quibble I have is that it was difficult to enjoy watching the game on television, though the overhead, panoramic shots of the harbor and the carrier were splendid. However, the glare from the court, due to the sun, was not easy on my eyes. That's the end of my complaining. It was, overall, a great event.
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Now, on to today's Iowa football game. If the Spartans can overcome the mistakes they made in last year's Iowa game, they should be fine. Come out focused and mean, and MSU should beat Iowa. Still, Kinnick Stadium is a daunting place, and for whatever reason the Spartans have struggled there. Eventually, their luck has to change. Right? We shall see.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Yet another opinion regarding Joe Paterno and Penn State
By this time, everyone in the world has weighed in with an opinion, take, or commentary on the incredibly ugly situation at Penn State. Here's one more...
I always feared that the longer Joe Paterno remained head coach at Penn State, the greater the likelihood his tenure would end on a bad note. I knew that it couldn't possibly be anything as awful or embarrassing as Woody Hayes punching an opposing player, but it seemed more likely and certainly possible that the Nittany Lions would have a string of losing seasons, and Penn State would be placed in the uncomfortable position of asking for the old man's resignation.
But never in a million years would I have guessed that Joe Paterno's 45-year head coaching career (61 years counting his time as an assistant) at Penn State would end in such sadness and disgrace. Never would have I guessed that a football program that, from all outward appearances, represented all that was right and good about college athletics would be brought down by a scandal so sordid and reprehensible.
When Penn State went undefeated in 1994, in the school's second year in the Big Ten, I became interested in and fascinated by Joe Paterno. I read his autobiography Paterno: By the Book and another book that was an insider's view of the PSU football program called For the Glory. I came away impressed with Paterno's integrity, and to this day--despite all that has happened recently--still think that overall Paterno is a good man. Am I wrong to think this? Have I been duped all along? It seems possible that as this story continues to unfold, my opinion of Paterno, his staff, and the entire Penn State program may change for the worse.
Of course, the real bad guy in all of this is Jerry Sandusky. What he did to those boys, if he is proven to be guilty, is nothing short of despicable.
But what was Joe Paterno's role in all of this? (I suppose all will be revealed in the coming months). Did Paterno purposely cover up what his friend and assistant Sandusky did? Did Paterno not fully grasp the seriousness of the sexual abuse accusations? Was he in a state of denial? Did he think it would just blow over?
Is it possible that Paterno, like so many others in positions of great power and influence, had achieved a level of arrogance--making him believe that his program was above all of this and it would just all go away?
So far, all I've done is ask questions that, as of right now, have no answers.
The only thing I know for sure is that I always had the greatest respect and admiration for Joe Paterno and the Penn State football program. Penn State football seemed to embody such great attibutes as humility, dedication, integrity, and commitment to excellence. Now I'm not so sure what to think anymore.
I always feared that the longer Joe Paterno remained head coach at Penn State, the greater the likelihood his tenure would end on a bad note. I knew that it couldn't possibly be anything as awful or embarrassing as Woody Hayes punching an opposing player, but it seemed more likely and certainly possible that the Nittany Lions would have a string of losing seasons, and Penn State would be placed in the uncomfortable position of asking for the old man's resignation.
But never in a million years would I have guessed that Joe Paterno's 45-year head coaching career (61 years counting his time as an assistant) at Penn State would end in such sadness and disgrace. Never would have I guessed that a football program that, from all outward appearances, represented all that was right and good about college athletics would be brought down by a scandal so sordid and reprehensible.
When Penn State went undefeated in 1994, in the school's second year in the Big Ten, I became interested in and fascinated by Joe Paterno. I read his autobiography Paterno: By the Book and another book that was an insider's view of the PSU football program called For the Glory. I came away impressed with Paterno's integrity, and to this day--despite all that has happened recently--still think that overall Paterno is a good man. Am I wrong to think this? Have I been duped all along? It seems possible that as this story continues to unfold, my opinion of Paterno, his staff, and the entire Penn State program may change for the worse.
Of course, the real bad guy in all of this is Jerry Sandusky. What he did to those boys, if he is proven to be guilty, is nothing short of despicable.
But what was Joe Paterno's role in all of this? (I suppose all will be revealed in the coming months). Did Paterno purposely cover up what his friend and assistant Sandusky did? Did Paterno not fully grasp the seriousness of the sexual abuse accusations? Was he in a state of denial? Did he think it would just blow over?
Is it possible that Paterno, like so many others in positions of great power and influence, had achieved a level of arrogance--making him believe that his program was above all of this and it would just all go away?
So far, all I've done is ask questions that, as of right now, have no answers.
The only thing I know for sure is that I always had the greatest respect and admiration for Joe Paterno and the Penn State football program. Penn State football seemed to embody such great attibutes as humility, dedication, integrity, and commitment to excellence. Now I'm not so sure what to think anymore.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Spartans eek past the Gophers
Yesterday, I was looking forward to a calm, relaxing MSU football game, with the Spartans ringing up the scoreboard like a pinball machine and cruising past the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Well, apparently Minnesota didn't get the memo that they were supposed to roll over and play dead on Saturday, and it seems that the Spartans themselves didn't arrive to the game until sometime in the fourth quarter. Plus, MarQueis Gray decided that this week he'd play like the greatest quarterback in college football history (at least until the last five minutes or so of the fourth quarter). This all added up to a lackluster 31-24 win for MSU.
I was actually able to watch this game on our living room flat screen TV, but retired to the bedroom television by the third quarter because by that time I didn't care if my six year-old took over the living room to watch Cars 2.
I'll take the win, of course, but I'm concerned about the running game and specifically Edwin Baker. I don't know whether it's just due to the patchwork offensive line, but Baker doesn't seem himself this season--and the fumbles he's had seem quite out of character. Thankfully, Le'Veon Bell has been around to pick up the slack.
Now it's on to Iowa to see if the Spartans can win a big road game. Iowa City hasn't been kind to MSU, as the Spartans haven't won there since 1989. That's seven straight losses at Kinnick Stadium if you're keeping score.
Well, apparently Minnesota didn't get the memo that they were supposed to roll over and play dead on Saturday, and it seems that the Spartans themselves didn't arrive to the game until sometime in the fourth quarter. Plus, MarQueis Gray decided that this week he'd play like the greatest quarterback in college football history (at least until the last five minutes or so of the fourth quarter). This all added up to a lackluster 31-24 win for MSU.
I was actually able to watch this game on our living room flat screen TV, but retired to the bedroom television by the third quarter because by that time I didn't care if my six year-old took over the living room to watch Cars 2.
I'll take the win, of course, but I'm concerned about the running game and specifically Edwin Baker. I don't know whether it's just due to the patchwork offensive line, but Baker doesn't seem himself this season--and the fumbles he's had seem quite out of character. Thankfully, Le'Veon Bell has been around to pick up the slack.
Now it's on to Iowa to see if the Spartans can win a big road game. Iowa City hasn't been kind to MSU, as the Spartans haven't won there since 1989. That's seven straight losses at Kinnick Stadium if you're keeping score.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Minnesota is in town, and a few other odds and ends
I can't afford season tickets to Michigan State football, but I do have a modest streak of attending at least one game per year for the last 18 seasons. This year, it was in danger of ending, but I'm happy to report that I just ordered tickets to the final home game against Indiana. It probably won't be a great game, as the Hoosiers are a terrible team, but it is senior day and Kirk Cousins' last home game as a Spartan. In addition, other outstanding seniors like Trenton Robinson, B.J. Cunningham, Joel Foreman, Keshawn Martin, and Keith Nichol will be playing their final games at Spartan Stadium.
In other Big Ten action today, Michigan and Iowa square off in Iowa City in what should prove to be a fascinating game. Can the Hawkeyes rebound from last week or can the Wolverines win a big road game. This game is a toss-up, but I'll give the game to Iowa based on home field advantage and a desire to atone for last week. Nebraska takes on Northwestern in Lincoln, and though the Wildcats could give the Huskers a tough time, Nebraska should ultimately roll. Ohio State should demolish Indiana, and Wisconsin is probably seething after their last two road heartbreakers and will take it out on poor Purdue.
The biggest game today is Alabama and LSU, which promises to be an outstanding game in the heart of insane SEC country. Since the game is in Tuscaloosa, I'm going with the Tide to win a defensive tussle with the Tigers.
On the banner of this blog, there is a photograph of Bob Apisa, Clinton Jones, Bubba Smith, Gene Washington, and George Webster (overlayed with the name of the blog which I realize is difficult to decipher--I need to work on that). The picture was taken in 1965, the first of two consecutive Big Ten championship years for the Spartans and two runs at the national title. I have a deep appreciation for those great teams, and the role they played in the integration of collegiate athletics. My intention for this blog is to not only write about the current Spartans, but to explore various aspects of Michigan State sports history. So look for future posts that delve into the storied past of MSU athletics.
Friday, November 4, 2011
MSU basketball exhibition vs. Hillsdale
I managed to score two tickets to the exhibition game against Hillsdale and took my ten year-old son. As soon as we stepped into Breslin, I immediately fueled him with Pepsi and popcorn and we were fairly good to go for the rest of the evening.
It's hard to take much from games like these. Although Hillsdale played hard, they were clearly overmatched. The Spartans led the entire game and really were not seriously challenged at any point in the game, as should be expected in an exhibition. The final score was a fairly lackluster 80-58.
It was fun to see all the new faces on the MSU basketball team. They are young, but have several athletic newcomers who should be enjoyable to watch this season. I really have no idea what to expect from this year's team, but the sense of the unknown makes it more exciting, if that makes any sense.
Here are some observations, but keep in mind that I was sitting 28 rows up, behind the basket on the south side of Breslin, trying to keep my son entertained and dealing with several rugrats making lots of noise on my left: not exactly a position to be able to concentrate as fully as I'd like.
Travis Trice is one player who really stood out for me in this particular game. The kid looks like a natural leader on the floor, has a nice smooth shot, and really works hard.
I had not seen Russell Byrd until tonight, and he's another player with a silky smooth shooting stroke from the perimeter. Of course, I suppose it's easier to look smooth when one is playing against an overmatched team like Hillsdale, but I still like what I saw. Trice and Byrd have big upsides, and both could develop into excellent contributors in the near future.
Of the other Spartan players, Draymond Green was solid, Derrick Nix looks to be in the best shape of his career, and Keith Appling did a great job guiding the team at point guard, though he struggled from three-point range and had a few ugly turnovers. It will be interesting to see how much time Trice gets this season at point guard. If he continues to play with the confidence and determination he displayed tonight, he will get significant playing time.
But I have absolutely no idea how these guys will play next week against North Carolina. I suspect it could be a tough game for the Spartans, but they just might have the youthful energy and guilelessness to surprise some people. And nobody likes an uphill challenge more than Tom Izzo.
One final note: I was genuinely impressed with how hard Hillsdale played, and the Chargers had one player who stood out for his moxie and grit. He is a little guard named Tyler Gerber (#12). The Hillsdale athletics website has him listed at 5' 10", but he didn't look any taller than 5' 7" from where I was sitting. He finished with about 10 points and hustled the entire game. He looks like a gym rat who isn't afraid of challenging anyone, even if his opponent is a foot taller than he is. Good luck to Hillsdale the rest of the season.
It's hard to take much from games like these. Although Hillsdale played hard, they were clearly overmatched. The Spartans led the entire game and really were not seriously challenged at any point in the game, as should be expected in an exhibition. The final score was a fairly lackluster 80-58.
It was fun to see all the new faces on the MSU basketball team. They are young, but have several athletic newcomers who should be enjoyable to watch this season. I really have no idea what to expect from this year's team, but the sense of the unknown makes it more exciting, if that makes any sense.
Here are some observations, but keep in mind that I was sitting 28 rows up, behind the basket on the south side of Breslin, trying to keep my son entertained and dealing with several rugrats making lots of noise on my left: not exactly a position to be able to concentrate as fully as I'd like.
Travis Trice is one player who really stood out for me in this particular game. The kid looks like a natural leader on the floor, has a nice smooth shot, and really works hard.
I had not seen Russell Byrd until tonight, and he's another player with a silky smooth shooting stroke from the perimeter. Of course, I suppose it's easier to look smooth when one is playing against an overmatched team like Hillsdale, but I still like what I saw. Trice and Byrd have big upsides, and both could develop into excellent contributors in the near future.
Of the other Spartan players, Draymond Green was solid, Derrick Nix looks to be in the best shape of his career, and Keith Appling did a great job guiding the team at point guard, though he struggled from three-point range and had a few ugly turnovers. It will be interesting to see how much time Trice gets this season at point guard. If he continues to play with the confidence and determination he displayed tonight, he will get significant playing time.
But I have absolutely no idea how these guys will play next week against North Carolina. I suspect it could be a tough game for the Spartans, but they just might have the youthful energy and guilelessness to surprise some people. And nobody likes an uphill challenge more than Tom Izzo.
One final note: I was genuinely impressed with how hard Hillsdale played, and the Chargers had one player who stood out for his moxie and grit. He is a little guard named Tyler Gerber (#12). The Hillsdale athletics website has him listed at 5' 10", but he didn't look any taller than 5' 7" from where I was sitting. He finished with about 10 points and hustled the entire game. He looks like a gym rat who isn't afraid of challenging anyone, even if his opponent is a foot taller than he is. Good luck to Hillsdale the rest of the season.
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