Big Ten: Spartans LeSick with a LeFevour

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

For Michigan State’s showdown with the Chippewas of Central Michigan, I was figuring the quarterbacks in green would out-play the all-time MAC leader in yards, Dan LeFevour. It’s too late for take-backs, so let’s give LeFevour his due. The “Tim Tebow of the Midwest” finished 33-for-46 for 328 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for ten yards and caught one pass for 24 yards deep in Michigan State territory on a throwback pass from wide receiver Antonio Brown.

The biggest play came late, when LeFevour connected for his third touchdown pass with under a minute left in the game on a wheel route to Paris Cotton out of the backfield. A failed two-point conversion attempt (going for the win) forced Central Michigan to attempt an onside kick, which was executed perfectly by kicker Andrew Aquila. LeFevour then guided the ball down to Michigan State’s 25, where Aquila squeezed his kick just inside the uprights to solidify the upset 29-27.

On the other side of the ball, Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol combined for 16-of-26 passing, 215 yards and two touchdowns. I like that the new gunslingers are yet to throw an interception. But as a team, the Spartans were unable to give themselves enough possessions to finish off the Chippewas–they lost the time-of-possession battle 33:25 to 26:35. That won’t cut it when Michigan State is lacking consistent quick-strike capabilities, despite marching down the field in exactly 2:00 to score the opening touchdown of the game.

In individual performances, receiver Blair White looks solid, hauling in seven receptions for 105 yards (on top of his 9-for-162, two touchdowns last week). Stud linebacker Greg Jones, without having official statistics, had his name called often, and as predicted, is making life less than pleasant blitzing quarterbacks more so this season.

All is far from lost for Michigan State, but certainly momentum takes a big hit, especially with Notre Dame next on the schedule. I hate to say “must win” just yet, but if they lose next week, they then have Wisconsin sandwiched between their in-state showdown with Michigan to kick off conference action.

Photos Courtesy of Michigan State Athletic Communications, Robert Barclay Central Michigan

Big Ten Week 1 Review: Signal Callers Driving Outcomes Early

By JOHN SEARS * BIG TEN INSIDER

As it stands, the Big Ten’s identity, or identity crisis, has recently been described politely as “smash-mouth” or impolitely as “slow”, “vanilla”, or “pig-wrestling in a corn field”. Last year further supported such monikers as only one quarterback passed for over 3,000 yards (Illinois Juice Williams with 3,173) or more than 20 touchdowns (Williams again with 22). Big Ten quarterbacks yielded only two members of the 1,000-yard receiving club (Minnesota’s Eric Decker with 1,074 yards, Illinois’ Arrelious Benn with 1,055). In contrast, six teams were represented by running backs that racked up at least 1,100 yards rushing, maxing out at 1,850 by Iowa’s Shonn Greene and 2,045 yards by Wisconsin’s tandem of P.J. Hill and John Clay. Five backs rushed for over ten touchdowns and two (Greene with 20 and Michigan State’s Javon Ringer with 22) hit pay dirt at least 20 times. Let’s just call 2008 a year that slanted toward the run. Fair enough?

Check opening day, 2009, for these same teams and you will find that quarterbacks are taking center stage in piling up notable statistics and more importantly, driving their team’s success. Against modest opponents to be sure, but the quarterbacks showed they may be destined take the spotlight off of Big Ten running backs. Consider: Michigan State rolled out unproven quarterbacks that just so happened to combine for 318 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions (Keith Nichol: 9/18, 135 yards, 2 touchdowns, Kirk Cousins: 10/17, 183, 3) in a 44-3 drubbing of Montana State. The Spartans seem to have a most delightful quarterback controversy to start the season, but the maize and blue also swapped out a pair of freshmen who dazzled in complementary fashions. Tate Forcier, in what amounted to a half a game, completed 65 percent of his passes (13/20) for 179 yards, three scores, and no giveaways. Dernard Robinson, on the other hand, scored by fleeted foot, seemingly (un)tied to an ACME rocket as he scorched the Western Michigan defense on a 42-yard quarterback keeper. Michigan trounced the Broncos, 31-7.

And let’s not forget that the leader of last year’s conference champs, Penn State’s Daryll Clark, has returned for one final go-around. Despite losing his dominant receiving trio of 2008, Clark played well in a breezy win against Akron (31-7) in the presence of a sluggish running game, tossing the pigskin for 353 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Even the perennial ground-grinders in Madison managed 281 yards throwing (Scott Tulzien 15/20, 257 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) in their opening 28-20 win over Northern Illinois. Indiana’s Ben Chappell did eclipse 300 yards (27/36, 326 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) in a sleepy victory over Eastern Kentucky 19-13.

Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi (242 yards) and Minnesota’s Adam Weber (248 yards), in pedestrian performances in sloppy wins over Northern Iowa and Syracuse respectively, still managed almost 250 yards through the air and one touchdown apiece. Northwestern pieced together 264 yards through the air and a score between Mike Kafka and Dan Persa in a 47-14 runaway victory over Towson. And Joey Elliott of Purdue showed magnificent technique handing the ball off 36 times for 320 yards, mostly to Ralph Bolden (21-234, two touchdowns). When needed, Elliott also tossed three touchdowns in a score-fest 52-31 victory over Toledo. All this success by Big Ten quarterbacks without mentioning the two (Williams, Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor) picked to be top performers and potential award winners at season’s end? Pryor, in a too-close-for-comfort win over Navy, combined for 204 yards and two scores…but it would have been nice to see him go without an interception on opening day with a Trojan invasion coming quickly. Williams, with the potential excuse that his number one target (Benn) and running back (Jason Ford) were unavailable for the second half, struggled to combine for 206 yards and one interception in a disappointing loss to Missouri, 37-9.

I am confident Williams and Pryor will improve upon their numbers last week and provide game-changing abilities week-in and week-out in the coming months. What’s more intriguing are the abilities shown by the rest of the conference’s gunslingers. Can the signal callers help the conference turn the corner offensively with some high octane, or will the Big Ten still be sitting around in the pig pen asking, “Who’s next?” come season’s end?

Photos Courtesy of University of Minnesota Athletic Communications, Iowa Sports Information

CFI Countdown: #21 Michigan St. Spartans

2008 Record: 9-4 (Big Ten: 6-2)
Bowl Game: Lost Capital One Bowl to Georgia, 24-12
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005)
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
Overall: 34-27 (6th season)
@ Michigan St.: 16-10 (3rd season)
Link to MSU Football Page

After taking over a four-win team and leading them to seven victories and a bowl game in 2007, followed by a nine-win season and New Year’s Day bowl in 2008, headman Mark Dantonio has proven in two seasons that he is the real deal. There is no reason to expect the Spartans to do anything but continue that progression under his leadership. Everything they’ve lacked in the past in terms of discipline and mental toughness, Dantonio has supplied.

When the Spartans Have the Ball

Offensive Coordinator: Don Tredwell
Scheme: Multiple
Starters Returning: Seven
Key Losses: QB Brian Hoyer, RB Javon Ringer, OT Jesse Miller, OG Roland Martin

Losing someone like Javon Ringer is obviously going to hurt—as a senior he averaged 30 carries per game. However, the Spartans believe they can actually have a more efficient rushing game in 2009 (MSU averaged just 3.3 yards per carry). No one player can replace Ringer, but there are about a half dozen Spartans competing for the opportunity to do so. Sophomores Ashton Leggett and Andre Anderson, as well as redshirt freshman Caulton Ray are among those in the mix. A more balanced offense would serve Sparty well in opening things up for the rushing attack. There is also competition at quarterback between sophomores Kirk Cousins and Keith Nicol, both of whom possess strong arms with Nicol also possessing the ability to run the ball. Whichever playmaker ends up getting the most reps will have more than enough weapons at their disposal. Junior Mark Dell has the most upside of the wideouts, while senior Blair White was the most productive in 2008. Also keep an eye on sophomores Keshawn Martin and B. J. Cunningham. They are deep at tight end as well with Clemson transfer Brian Linthicum backing up the very talented Charlie Gantt. The offensive line returns three starters with sophomore Joel Foreman serving as a powerful run blocker from his guard position.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) TE Charlie Gantt (JR), 2) Mark Dell (JR), 3) QB Kirk Cousins (SO)

When the Other Team Has the Ball

Defensive Coordinator: Pat Narduzzi (3rd season)
Scheme: Multiple 4-3
Starters Returning: Eight
Key Losses: DE Brandon Long, DT Justin Kershaw, LB Ryan Allison, S Otis Wiley

The strength of the Spartans is their defense, specifically their linebacker corps, led by All-American candidate Greg Jones. The speedy, sideline-to-sideline hard-hitting junior is making the move from WILL to MIKE and while there may be an adjustment period, once Jones settles in the middle he will be a tacking machine. Replacing him at the weakside is fellow junior Eric Gordon, who has pass-rushing potential and, like Jones, is entering his third season in the starting lineup. Up front they are deep with defensive end Trevor Anderson their top pass rusher. There are high hopes for red-shirt freshman Jerel Worthy on the inside. The secondary should be solid as well, beginning with cover men junior Chris L. Rucker and senior Ross Weaver. Expect this experienced group to be more aggressive and make more impact plays at every level in their third season under Dantonio and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) LB Greg Jones (JR), 2) CB Chris L. Rucker (JR), 3) LB Eric Gordon (JR)

The Schedule

The Spartans face three difficult road games in the first half of the season—at Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Illinois—which will go a long way to deciding the type of season Michigan St. will have. On the plus side, they miss Ohio St. this season and play host to both Iowa and Penn St., the latter in their season finale. Last season, the Spartans were the surprise team in the Big Ten title race, in it right up until the final week. If they are to compete again, it’s time to win some big games—they lost by a combined score of 94-25 against Ohio St. and Penn St. in 2008.

Pivotal Point

The key unit for the 2009 offense is their offensive line. There are few questions, if any, regarding Dantonio’s defense. Offensively they are looking to replace both their starting quarterback and running back, with inexperienced players waiting to step in. Cousins has attempted a mere 43 passes, which are 43 more than Nicol. Their leading returning rusher is Anderson, who had 97 yards on 26 carries last season. However, there is little doubt that Michigan St. has significant talent at both spots. The expectations for the offensive line aren’t necessarily as high, particularly on the right side where they have to replace two starters. Sophomore Jared McGaha and junior J’Michael Deane are the expected starters. Pass protection will be critical as well.

CFI Final Analysis

In the three seasons prior to Dantonio taking over in East Lansing, MSU won a total of 14 games and failed to make a bowl game. In 2003 they made a bowl game, but not before turning a 7-1 start (and #9 AP Ranking) into an 8-5 record. Gone are the underachieving and the collapses that the Spartans had become known for. Now it’s time for Michigan St. to take the next step—handle expectations and win some big games.

College Football Insiders Top 25 Countdown:
The Next 25 (26-50) Plus 18 Bowl Teams
#25 West Virginia Mounainteers
#24 Tennessee Volunteers
#23 Clemson Tigers
#22. Pittsburgh Panthers

Contact Daniel Mogollon via email dan@collegefootballinsiders.com

Photo Credit: Michigan State Athletic Communications