Tag: Michigan State Football

Michigan State football No. 40 in ESPN’s latest SP+ rankings

The Spartans don’t move much after a pretty neutral win over Rutgers.

A win over Rutgers didn’t do much for Michigan State in the eyes of Bill Connelly’s computer.

The Spartans are at No. 40 this week in Connelly’s SP+ rankings. Michigan State ranks 86th in offense, 12th in defense and 114th in special teams. MSU is a projected 7.6 points better than an average college football team on a neutral field.

MSU’s upcoming opponent, Maryland, is rated 88th in SP+, although the Terps have been in a bit of a free fall lately. They’re ranked No. 73 on offense, No. 82 on defense and No. 127 on special teams. They’re a projected 5.7 points worse than an average college football team on a neutral field.

SP+, according to Connelly, is “(A) tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

Game Recap: Michigan State, Cody White torch Rutgers 27-0

Michigan State football trampled Rutgers 27-0 in an impressive performance. Here is a game recap with all the details you need.

Michigan State Football demolished Rutgers in a 27-0 shutout today. Before this victory, the Spartans were on a five-game losing streak. Michigan State was sluggish and sloppy in the first half. Then, in the second half, Cody White exploded in an impressive showing.

Here is a recap of this game:

First Half

The Spartans offense lacked urgency early on in this game. MSU’s offense moved the chains but failed to score on their first drive. On the other hand, the defense showed up to play. Yet again, the Spartan’s defense did not allow a touchdown on the opening drive. Sure, this is against Rutger’s offense, but, we can still marvel at this accomplishment.

Next, Michigan State’s offense continued to move downfield. A high snap almost forced a turnover but Brian Lewerke did not fumble. This set up a third and long which is rather intimidating for this offensive unit. Luckily, Lewerke threw a nice touchdown pass to Cody White.

Later, the offense failed to capitalize on a nice drive. Instead, they settled for a field goal. This brought the first quarter to a close as Michigan State lead Rutgers 10-0.

Rutger’s defense came out hot in the second quarter. Lewerke was sacked and this set up a third and long. MSU then went three and out. Sophomore Safety Xavier Henderson stepped up with a beautiful interception. Unfortunately, the Spartans failed to convert this into a touchdown and settled for a field goal. This time, Matt Coghlin missed the field goal kick. This sequence can sum up the entire year for MSU.

Late in the second quarter, the Spartans ran a two-minute drill. Play after play, Lewerke hit Cody White for big gains. Eventually, Lewerke threw another, crisp touchdown pass to White on a seam route.

Second Half

Rutgers started the second half with plenty of offensive movement. Their run game yielded more success in the first three minutes of the second half than the entire first half. No worries, the Spartans did not give up any points on this Rutger’s drive. Instead, Kenny Willekes sacked QB Johnny Langan.

Michigan State put in AJ Arcuri at LT for their first drive of the half. MSU managed to move the chains forward for a first down. Lewerke found White on yet another impressive deep ball, but, this play went under review. Eventually, the referees determined the play was an incomplete pass.

Next thing you know, this drive turned into a disaster. Lewerke tried to hit White again in the endzone but White could not control the ball. Instead, Rutger’s defense snatched the ball away for an interception.

Early in the fourth quarter, Josiah Scott forced a fumble and gave Michigan State a favorable field position. Unlike earlier, the Spartans capitalized on this key turnover with an amazing touchdown. Lewerke overthrew a ball to White but it did not matter. White managed to snag the ball and fell into the endzone for a touchdown and a 27-0 lead.

Cody White ended the game with 11 receptions, 136 yards, and three touchdown catches. QB Brian Lewerke ended the game with 239 yards on 21/30 attempts with three touchdowns and one interception.

Michigan State football takes on Maryland next week on Saturday, Nov. 30. This game starts at 3:30 P.M.

Stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

Michigan State WR Cody White sets new career-high in catches in a game

MSU football’s Cody White has set a new career-high with 10 catches (and counting) against Rutgers.

[jwplayer nthmXZj0]

It’s still only the third quarter, but Michigan State wide receiver Cody White has already set his new career-high in catches in a game. He currently has 10 catches with about 8 minutes to go in the first half. MSU is currently leading Rutgers 17-0 and White has been pretty much unstoppable in this game.

His previous career-high was 9 catches which came against Arizona State in last year’s loss in Tempe. To go along with his 10 catches today, White also has 129 yards and 2 touchdowns, and it does not look like he has any intention of slowing down, so we’ll make sure to update this post as he will presumably add a few more catches to his new career-high.

I will say that I might have jinxed him a little bit with this post (sorry) because he just had a touchdown pass ripped out of his hands for an interception. My bad.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Halftime thoughts: Michigan State sloppy, leads Rutgers

Michigan State’s quest to get back in the win column is going about as well as the rest of the season has gone. The difference today is the team on the other side of the field. Michigan State leads Rutgers 17-0 at the half. Here are some thoughts: …

Michigan State’s quest to get back in the win column is going about as well as the rest of the season has gone. The difference today is the team on the other side of the field.

Michigan State leads Rutgers 17-0 at the half. Here are some thoughts:

  • Cody White has 57 catches in the first half. Don’t look it up. There’s no need. It’s true.
  • It’s really nice to have Speedy Nailor back. He’s so obviously a different level runner than anyone else MSU has on offense. He absolutely cooked his man on a dee shot and might have had a long TD had the Rutgers defender not grabbed him for an obvious PI.
  • It’s pretty easy to see why Rutgers hasn’t won a Big Ten game in more than two years. Woof. The talent just isn’t even near where it needs to be.
  • Matt Coghlin back? It’s not much, but Coghlin has kicked the ball well the last three weeks, going 4/4 in field goals. He easily hit from 46 yards in the first half. In a lost season, it’d be nice for Coghlin to get his confidence back down the stretch.
  • Coghlin hit the upright from 33 yards after MSU returned an INT to the Rutgers 15 and proceeded to do nothing with it.

  • Not great, Bob.
  • Michigan State has been stopped twice on 4th-and-1 well into Rutgers territory.

  • The two-minute drill looks good again and results in a late touchdown. It’s really too bad MSU can’t take some of their two-minute principles and infuse them into the regular offense.
  • Above all else, Michigan State has just been so sloppy today. Beyond even what they’ve done in previous games. In week 11 it just reeks of a team being unprepared and unfocused.
  • The defense has been solid so credit them for that. We must keep in mind the opponent. Rutgers has been very unimpressive on offense.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

Michigan State Football still has yet to give up a touchdown on the opening drive this season

With Rutgers first punt of the game, Michigan State’s defense continues their streak of preventing a touchdown on the opening drive.

We can bicker and debate the merits of Michigan State Football this year, particularly on the defensive side where hopes were highest, but the Spartans do have one impressive stat to hang their hat on: with Rutgers punt on their first possession of the game, the MSU defense has yet to give up a touchdown on the opening drive of a football game this season.

Now, we can debate the importance of this, and I think that’s a debate that should be had because you could make an argument that the defense is really good, and they’ve done their job all year of shutting down the opposing team to start the game and get the ball to their offense, but the quick three-and-outs, poor special teams, and inability to keep the defense off the field and give them good field position to work with, puts Michigan State’s defense in a very unfavorable position.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Jalen ‘Speedy’ Nailor back for MSU against Rutgers

The explosive wide receiver finally makes his return from injury

Michigan State will have the services of its most explosive receiver for the first time in a long time.

After going out with an undisclosed foot injury, sophomore wide receiver Jalen “Speedy” Nailor is in uniform for the Spartans as they prepare to take on Rutgers (noon, FS1). Mark Dantonio announced the news on the pregame radio show. Nailor was injured in practice after the first game of the season.

Nailor’s return could be a boon for an MSU offense that has severely lacked explosion on offense.

Elsewhere with injuries, MSU will start three true freshman on the offensive line. JD Duplain and Nick Samac have started the last two games at left guard and center. They will be joined by true freshman Devantae Dobbs as Dobbs will be getting the nod at left tackle.

Luke Campbell, Tyler Higby and Kevin Jarvis are all inactive for MSU today as is wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

Pick ‘Em: Staff picks for MSU vs. Rutgers, other college football games

Can MSU get back in the win column this week?

Michigan State football is in need of a victory in the worst way.

The Spartans have lost five straight and need to win out just to make a bowl game. Well, luckily for them, they’ve got two very winnable games left on the schedule, starting with a road trip to lovely Piscataway, NJ to take on Rutgers. Can the Spartans get back to winning or with the Scarlet Knights get their first conference win in more than two years?

Let’s get to the picks.

Wil Hunter (48-18)

Michigan State 27 – Rutgers 14

They’ve got to win this one, right? Right?! I mean it’s Rutgers. They haven’t won a B1G game since November 4, 2017! And they, most of the time, aren’t anywhere close to winning. They’re truly a bad group of five team playing in a power five conference. There’s a reason MSU is favored by 20+ points in this game: Rutgers is epically terrible! Michigan State just can’t lose this game.

If they do it will be the worst loss in the modern era of MSU football.

No. 8 Penn State 17 @ No. 2 Ohio State 38

No. 10 Minnesota 17 @ Northwestern 13

Illinois 20 @ No. 17 Iowa 28

No. 13 Michigan 27 @ Indiana 28

Texas 31 @ No. 14 Baylor 35

UCLA 35 @ No. 23 USC 38

No. 6 Oregon 31 @ Arizona State 24

TCU 28 @ No. 9 Oklahoma 42

Andrew Brewster (48-18)

Michigan State 35 @ Rutgers 7

Rutgers is the worst team in the Big Ten. Michigan State is better than them. Even with all the injuries, and the suspensions, and the losses, and the disappointments, Michigan State is a better football team than Rutgers. With Nailor and Scott back in the fold, I’m expecting this to be a beatdown that starts to restore a slight bit of optimism to what has become a putrid mess of a season.

No. 8 Penn State 14 @ No. 2 Ohio State 35

No. 10 Minnesota 17 @ Northwestern 10

Illinois 13 @ No. 17 Iowa 20

No. 13 Michigan 24 @ Indiana 21

Texas 24 @ No. 14 Baylor 31

UCLA 7 @ No. 23 USC 28

No. 6 Oregon 27 @ Arizona State 20

TCU 21 @ No. 9 Oklahoma 49

Lawson Robinson (35-22)

Michigan State 17 – Rutgers 14

There is no way I can give MSU more than two touchdowns. The offensive has not produced before, why would they produce now? Yes, Rutgers should be an easy game, but, I just cannot trust this offensive lineup nor coaching staff. The Spartans will surely walk away with a victory. It will not be a blowout game.

No. 8 Penn State 21 @ No. 2 Ohio State 28

No. 10 Minnesota 35 @ Northwestern 7

Illinois 7 @ No. 17 Iowa 14

No. 13 Michigan 10 @ Indiana 7

Texas 14 @ No. 14 Baylor 21

UCLA 7 @ No. 23 USC 12

No. 6 Oregon 28 @ Arizona State 14

TCU 14 @ No. 9 Oklahoma 42

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Michigan State Football vs. Rutgers: Where to watch, listen, stream

MSU is heading to Rutgers tomorrow and will hopefully get their first win since September. Here is how to follow the action.

[jwplayer 2uGgaAG0-PROpJzTY]

Finally, Michigan State Football will hopefully get their first win since SEPTEMBER when they travel to face Rutgers tomorrow. Rutgers is just absolutely terrible and have yet to win a game against a Big Ten opponent, so if this isn’t a win for the Spartans, I don’t know what to tell you. Here is how to watch, listen, or stream what should be a fun game for Michigan State, finally:

Match-up: Michigan State (4-6) @ Rutgers (2-8)

Game time: 12pm ET, Saturday, Nov. 23

TV: FS1

FS1 broadcasters are scheduled to be John Strong (play-by-play) and Evan Moore (analyst).

On DirecTV, FS1 is channel 219. On Dish, FS1 is channel 150.

Betting Odds: Michigan State -20.5

Online live stream: FOXSports.com/live

Online radio broadcast: TuneIn

Satellite radio: XM channel 387; Sirius channel 976

Complete list of Michigan State radio affiliates.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Locked On Spartans Podcast: Joey Hauser’s waiver denied, MSU vs. Rutgers preview

What to make of the NCAA denied Hauser’s request to play and getting ready for MSU vs. Rutgers this weekend.

Wil and Matt discuss how crappy the NCAA is and the implications of them denying Joey Hauser’s waiver to play immediately. Then Matt tries to guess if Rutgers stats are real or fake. Also, a MSU vs. Rutgers “preview”.

You can find the episode on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

Former Michigan State LB Andrew Dowell signed to New Orleans Saints Practice Squad

Former Spartan Andrew Dowell will be heading to the New Orleans Saints Practice Squad.

It’s been a good 24 hours for the Dowell family. We just covered that middle brother and Michigan State safety David Dowell will be joining the East-West Shrine Bowl this year. In the NFL, it was announced that former Spartan linebacker Andrew Dowell will be heading to New Orleans to play for the Saints on their practice squad.

Andrew Dowell originally went undrafted and was then signed by the Dallas Cowboys. He was released by Dallas with an injury settlement before the season. He had also worked out for the Green Bay Packers back in September.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]