Tag: Michigan State Football

MSU Football’s blowout loss to Michigan: Three Key Takeaways

Michigan State football suffered an incredibly tragic defeat at the hands of Michigan, 44-10. Here are three key takeaways from this game

Michigan State Football suffered an a horrific loss at the hands of interstate rival Michigan, 44-10. The Spartans kept it relatively close at first, but, the Wolverines took over in the third quarter. This lead to a landslide victory for the University of Michigan.

Here are three key takeaways from this game:

Paradigm Shift

Remember the start of this season? When Mark Dantonio surpassed Hugh Daugherty as the most winningest coach in Spartan history. Those days now seem long gone. Nearly every Michigan State fan has turned on Dantonio.

There are certain fans that want Dantonio to retire, others want Dantonio to be fired. Does it have to be this way? I understand the frustration. He had a chance to clean house in the offseason and start fresh but did not do so. Does his success not warrant any good faith from fans?

It is possible to chalk up this season to the coordinator staff, injuries, and lack of talent. The Ohio State loss clearly displayed the disparity in talent between the Buckeyes and the Spartans. The offensive line is absolutely depleted and Joe Bachie is suspended. WR Darrell Stewart went down with an injury just as WR CJ Hayes came back.

I know it is easy to succumb to frustration, but, coaching decisions must be backed by logic and rational thoughts. Do not think about just the present, instead consider the future. Who will replace Dantonio? Are they a better coach? If not, then you set yourself up for failure by firing him.

The Rivalry Is Strong

Michigan and Michigan State offer up one of the most heated rivalries in all of sports. The players do not like each other, the fans do not like each other. This was on full display yesterday. The game started out chippy and it only grew from there.

Later in the game, Jacub Panasiuk hit Shea Patterson late and was flagged for roughing the passer. The referees ejected Panasiuk from the game for this hit. No doubt this was the culmination of frustration for Michigan State.

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In between the chippy play, there were celebrations galore. Cody White was flagged for taunting after a nice catch over a Michigan defender. On the other hand, Michigan WR Tarik Black was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after flexing on Josh Butler. This rivalry has not taken a step back whatsoever.

Curtain Call For Brian Lewerke

I’ve spent almost all year defending Brian Lewerke. Last week, I gave this up. I cannot do this anymore. Lewerke is not a terrible QB, but, he is certainly not a winning QB. He had an absolutely horrendous outing against the Wolverines.

Michigan QB Shea Patterson won the QB duel yesterday against Lewerke. Patterson dropped 384 yards, completing 24 of his 33 pass attempts. This lead to Patterson throwing four touchdown passes, three more than Lewerke. Brian only put up 166 yards, completing 17 of his 30 attempts.

It is not easy to bench a senior QB and maybe that won’t even happen. Personally, I think it’s time for Rocky Lombardi and Theo Day to get some snaps. Especially late in a blowout game. These reps can help shape the offseason perspective and QB scenario moving forward. It’s time to think about the future.

Michigan State football travels to SHI Stadium to play against Rutgers University on Nov. 23. The game starts at 12:00 P.M.

Stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.

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MSU Football crushed by Michigan 44-10: Twitter Reactions

MSU football was absolutely pummeled by the Michigan Wolverines, 44-10. Here are a handful of Twitter reactions to this game.

Well, here we are. The worst possible outcome of the MSU vs. Michigan game is now a reality. Michigan absolutely pummeled Michigan State, 44-10. The game was close for less than one quarter before the Spartans lost control. Shea Patterson and the Michigan offense carved up Michigan State’s defense.

Here are a handful of Twitter reactions to this game:

Michigan State faces Rutgers next Saturday on Nov. 23. The game starts at 12 P.M. and you can catch all of the action on FS1.

Stay locked on SpartansWire for more football coverage to come.

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Locked On Spartans Podcast: Michigan vs. Michigan State preview

Previewing Michigan State vs. Michigan

Matt is back! Wil and Matt talk about MSU vs. Michigan of course. They talk about how MSU can possibly win this game and why Jim Harbaugh is the most reliable coach in college football.

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

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What Michigan State is saying about Michigan before their matchup

Michigan football takes on Michigan State this week, check out what the Spartan’s have been saying about the Wolverines before Saturday.

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Last year before the Michigan vs. Michigan State game, MSU had its players walk together with their arms locked down the field, and an altercation happened between them and former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush, and current linebacker Josh Uche as MSU head coach Mark Dantonio was seen smiling as it happened.

There was lots of talk after the game about the incident and both sides took jabs at one another. This year though, the talk has been quiet and quite respectful from both ends. Dantonio even said Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was a Hall of Fame football coach. While Harbaugh praised Dantonio with his way of motivating players.

Besides saying Harbaugh is a Hall of Fame head coach, Dantonio had more to say about him and the Michigan football team.

“I think he does a great job,” Dantonio said. “I think he’s truly committed to every single play on the football field. He’s going to think outside the box. … You have seen him do different things in the past that create adjustments for you, and then you’re going to have to adjust within that football game. Is extremely competitive, intense. But you know, I think most coaches are.”

There hasn’t been much trash talk between the two schools this year, as both schools seem to want to move on from last year’s antics.

“I’ve chosen just to try and be respectful towards the rivalry and I sort of take the high road,” Dantonio said. “And, I think our players have tried to do that, as well. I’m sure there’s something going on always, but that’s the nature of this game a little bit too.”

Dantonio knows how intense the rivalry is between the two schools and how much the Spartans build it up in East Lansing.

“You’re going to compete against them in everything that we do, whether it’s recruits in the state or everything on the field, or on the basketball court or whatever it is, the hockey rink,” Dantonio said. “It’s the way this is built here.”

The players even know it as safety David Dowell added to what Dantonio had to say about the Wolverines.

“The one thing we talk about, even in the offseason, is do something every day to beat Michigan,” Dowell said.

Quarterback Brian Lewerke also spoke about the Wolverines as he’s played them three times already, and has been on both sides of the spectrum.

“Every game has had its ups and downs,” Lewerke said. “We’ve had games where we played well and games where we played bad and you kind of take what each gives you, I guess, and try and play well every time you go into the game.”

“It probably wasn’t until the first time I played back in ’16,” Lewerke said. “In ’15 I wasn’t part of that crazy game. I didn’t travel and didn’t really play in it, so I wasn’t really quite sure yet. But the first time you get game experience, that’s when it really hits you.”

Lewerke wants to finish his career with a winning record against Michigan, as he is 2-2 during his time in East Lansing.

“Obviously, a win would be incredible,” Lewerke said. “I’m sure that’s what everyone in our senior class would say coming into the last one. So that’s what we want to be able to do is get a win.”

Michigan takes on Michigan State at noon on Saturday in Ann Arbor and the game will be broadcasted on FOX.

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Former Spartan Malik McDowell sentenced to three months in jail

Former Michigan State and Seattle Seahawks football player Malik McDowell has been sentenced to 3 months in Oakland County Jail.

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The sad saga of Malik McDowell’s time since leaving Michigan State continues, as he was just sentenced to three months in an Oakland County jail. He will also have to write three essays as well. The former Spartan Football recruit from 2014 pleaded guilty in October to two charges of resisting arrest, possessing a stolen vehicle, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Finally, he’ll also have three years of probation.

It’s a little unique to have McDowell write the essays in addition to his time in jail. Here are the topics: finding the meaning in life other than committing crimes; the importance of respecting the rule of law and the principles of the Declaration of Independence and how your behavior undermines them.

“There are still (NFL) teams interested,” McDowell’s attorney Mitchell Ribitwer said. “So if he can get himself together, maybe he can be in the NFL or XFL or something. Personally, I think he’s committed to it. He’s a nice young man.”

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MSU vs. Michigan: Three Things To Watch

Michigan State faces off against interstate rival the Michigan Wolverines this weekend. Here are three things to watch in this game.

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The most intense week in the Michigan State football season is here. The Spartan Dawgs face off against interstate rival, the Michigan Wolverines at the Big House on Saturday, Nov. 16. Michigan is playing its best football so far and Michigan State is at an all-time low in the Mark Dantonio era.

Here are three things to watch in this game:

Gridiron Warfare

This game is going to be gritty and grimy. Both teams absolutely loathe one another. Mark Dantonio referred to Jim Harbaugh as “intense” earlier this week. Michigan DB Ambry Thomas said this game decides who is the big brother and who is the little sister. Personally, I’m not a fan of his rhetoric, but, it points to the intensity of this rivalry game.

Both the players and fans are heavily invested in this game’s outcome. Both teams are going to lay it all on the line. What else does MSU have to play for this year? The Michigan rivalry game is the last chance for the Spartans to salvage any positive sentiments for this season. On the other hand, the Wolverines want to make a statement against Michigan State.

The QB Battle

Shea Patterson and Brian Lewerke are the Spiderman meme in which two Spidermen point at one another. They are one in the same. Both are athletic QB’s that put their heads down and run while also having a pretty strong throwing arm. Note, both QB’s suffer from the same issue: inaccuracy.

Through nine games, Lewerke has thrown for 2,102 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 55.7 completion percentage. On the other hand, Patterson has thrown for 1,773 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 57.2 completion percentage. What’s the difference? Lewerke has thrown three more interceptions than Patterson. The QB matchup is pretty even. Whoever plays better will lead their team to victory.

Michigan State’s Receiver Core

Mark Dantonio recently revealed that TE Matt Dotson is out for the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles. Michigan State is still without WR Darrell Stewart as well. These are two huge holes in their receiver core. So far, Stewart has tallied up 694 yards on only 47 receptions along with four touchdowns to boot. He has been a quintessential part of the Spartan’s offense.

Note, Michigan State sees the return of sophomore WR CJ Hayes. Hayes is back after an injury kept him out for a few weeks. Luckily, I think Hayes can easily replace Stewart. All the while, Cody White has stepped up big time in the past few games. Look for both White & Hayes to have a big game if MSU has a chance to win.

Tune in at 12 P.M. this Saturday on Fox to catch this game. Cheer on the Spartans, they certainly need it.

Stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.

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Locked On Spartans Podcast: Mark Dantonio must hate Jim Harbaugh

Let’s start getting excited for a rivalry game!

Wil Hunter and Matt Sheehan talk about Michigan State vs. Michigan. Does Mark Dantonio secretly hate Jim Harbaugh? He must. Then, will we be seeing Joey Hauser this season?! Plus, the sharps are betting MSU early . . . again.

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

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MSU DE Kenny Willekes named a semi-finalist for Burlsworth Trophy

Michigan State’s star defensive end Kenny Willekes was named a semi-finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the top walk-on player.

This has not been the season we were hoping to see out of Michigan State Football as a whole, but that doesn’t mean everyone has struggled, and it’s still been another strong season by Michigan State’s best player: Kenny Willekes. Willekes was just announced today as a semi-finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation’s top walk-on football player.

From their website:

“In 2010 The Burlsworth Trophy was created to honor the achievements and successes of the Walk-On athlete. It is presented annually to the Most Outstanding player who began his career as a Walk-On.”

And here is what they said about Willekes:

“Willekes, a preseason All-America selection and last year’s Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, has 55 tackles this season. He has 21 solo tackles with 5.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Spartans. Willekes was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Big Ten and the Walter Camp Football Foundation after recording seven tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against Tulsa earlier this season.”

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Michigan State HC Mark Dantonio says Brian Lewerke did not have concussion against Illinois

In his press conference on Tuesday, Mark Dantonio said that his staff agreed that Brian Lewerke did not get concussed on Saturday.

In his press conference Tuesday, Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio said that Brian Lewerke, while not assessed fully during Saturday’s loss to Illinois, did not suffer a concussion after a helmet to helmet hit he endured. Some fans wondered if he did suffer an injury as he threw a bad pick-six on the following play.

“No, we didn’t go through any protocol. We looked at him very quickly,” Dantonio said Tuesday. “Just I asked him and he said he’s good, and he motioned that to our trainers as well, so he just went on with it.”

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“The safety of student-athletes at Michigan State University is our No. 1 priority. Decisions on whether a player returns to competition after potentially suffering an injury are made by our medical staff, which does not report to our coaching staff or through the Athletics Department,” Anthony Avellino, assistant provost for student wellness, health and safety said in a statement released today.

“Upon returning to the sideline late in the fourth quarter with under five minutes remaining in the game, Brian Lewerke was given a symptom assessment by our medical staff. After not showing signs of a concussion, he was cleared to play. As a precautionary measure, Brian was given further testing the following day, and was once again determined not to have a concussion.”

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Michigan State vs. Michigan: Five most important Spartan players

Michigan State and Michigan face off yet again this weekend. Here are the five most important Spartan players in this interstate game.

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Michigan week is here. The Spartans travel to Michigan Stadium this Saturday (Noon, FOX) to play against the No. 14 Wolverines. As always, there is so much riding on this game. Most importantly, Michigan State football fans’ pride. Michigan comes into this game on a hot streak. The Spartans need to execute perfectly to win.

Here are the five most important players for MSU in this game:

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