game recaps
jourdan lewis
jabrill peppers
wilton speight
amara darboh is citizen dang
eddie mcdoom
2016 michigan state
is mark dantonio a secret james franklin probably not but we can no longer rule it out

Michigan 32, Michigan State 23 Comment Count

Ace


[Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog]

You reap what you sow.

Facing a fourth-and-goal down 20 points in the fourth quarter, Mark Dantonio went the James Franklin route and called for a field goal. The football gods did not look kindly upon this act of cowardice; Michael Geiger missed the 34-yard attempt.

Dantonio almost certainly regretted that decision when the Spartans cut it to a two-score game midway through the fourth. Instead of having a shot at a miracle, they ran out of time—a Donnie Corley touchdown catch with a second remaining on the clock only brought the deficit to seven. To keep up appearances, or something like that, Dantonio called for a two-point conversion.

This also backfired, and in spectacular fashion. Jabrill Peppers capped a game worthy of a Heisman contender by returning an MSU fumble 98 yards for two points. The subsequent onside kick that didn't matter bounced harmlessly out of bounds, and Peppers got one final opportunity to display his athleticism when, perhaps as an homage to Braylon Edwards, he backflipped following the victory-formation kneeldown.


[Fuller]

While it wasn't the blowout most expected, it wasn't as close as the final score indicates, either. Michigan absorbed MSU's best shot on the opening drive, a 12-play, 75-yard march featuring 11 LJ Scott touches capped by a five-yard TD run. The Wolverines hit back by going 80 yards in eight plays with Eddie McDoom's 20-yard jet sweep setting up a three-yard Jabrill Peppers keeper to even the score. They gained the upper hand on the ensuing possession when Maurice Hurst slashed into the backfield to force Gerald Holmes into the unforgiving grasp of Peppers on a fourth-and-one.

From that point forward, Michigan was in command. Two De'Veon Smith touchdowns—one featuring a delighful smashing of Riley Bullough at the goal line—and a Kenny Allen field goal were the result of the next three Wolverine possessions, and MSU could only muster a field goal in the interim; Smith's second score gave M a 24-10 lead with 33 seconds left in the half, and it seemed safe to assume that would be the halftime score.

Tyler O'Connor had other plans, which quickly went awry. Instead of running out the clock, O'Connor heaved a pass towards RJ Shelton while under heavy duress from Taco Charlton, and Jourdan Lewis got his hands under it for the pick. Michigan got off four plays in 27 seconds; Amara Darboh, who had a career-high 165 yards in his best game as a Wolverine, drew a pass interference in the end zone to set up a chip shot Allen field goal as the half came to a close. Suddenly, it was a three-score game.


[Patrick Barron/MGoBlog]

The 27-10 halftime margin would hold for the entire third quarter due to the goal-line heroics of the defense. In an otherwise stellar game, Wilton Speight made a significant error to open the second half, failing to see MSU corner Darian Hicks while targeting Karan Higdon on a wheel route. Hicks cut off the throw for an interception, and within two plays the Spartans had a first-and-goal.

Michigan State ran seven plays inside Michigan's ten-yard line on that possession, getting second life when Peppers was hit with a pass interference flag on third down. On play seven, Lewis crashed down on a fourth-down pitch to Scott and upended him in the backfield, ending the drive with authority.

After Kenny Allen struck a 45-yarder true to begin the fourth quarter, MSU went into desperation mode, inserting Damion Terry at quarterback on the ill-fated field goal drive, then switching to Brian Lewerke after a Michigan punt. The offense couldn't quite put the Spartans away, however, and Lewerke had a chance to make it a one-score game on fourth down with a little under two minutes on the clock.

The defensive line got serious heat on Lewerke, however, and Peppers cleaned up with a crushing sack. Michigan wore down some clock before MSU's desultory final drive while Jon Falk brought the Paul Bunyan trophy back to its rightful place in the Wolverine locker room.

Michigan State has lost six in a row. Michigan is 8-0 with one rival in the clear and three games to get through before a potential Big Ten East title game. While it took one year longer than any of us wanted, the in-state rivalry is, at long last, as it should be.

Comments

MTH1993

October 29th, 2016 at 7:53 PM ^

I was there and it seemed like our d could not stop their run other thsn the red zone stand. State was playing with nothing to loose and to redeem their season. I did not like the stress of state hanging in the game but that experience may help the team as we proceed. I am greatful for the win and loved the illogical go for 2 that backfired that drop was right in front of us.

Joined: 06/07/2015

MGoPoints: 681

JBG

October 29th, 2016 at 8:04 PM ^

So, MSU muffs a PAT and Peppers takes it back for a touchdown, and we only get 2 points or a safety?  There must be a rule here that I am not aware of.  

 

Jamie from Toronto, BA '87

Joined: 10/29/2016

MGoPoints: 76

SysMark

October 29th, 2016 at 8:23 PM ^

MSU put up a good fight.  This is the kind of game a lot of top ranked teams lose at this point in the season - happens every year.  Michigan however didn't and that's big.  This game will rarely be easy

Joined: 11/15/2008

MGoPoints: 21584

Boom Goes the …

October 29th, 2016 at 8:31 PM ^

for sure

but I will never take for granted or complain about the 'how' we beat msu, (or nd /osu) especially on the road.  I will gladly take it no matter what the spread of the game 

Joined: 02/24/2013

MGoPoints: 4292

Michigan Made

October 30th, 2016 at 9:06 PM ^

the people are complaining about a loss. It's more about the concern without the defense and offense played with less intensity in the second half. Missed tackles Miss coverages the secondary and the middle of the defense getting soaked for 200-plus yards. the concern is valid was going into Iowa at night and playing Ohio State at home. If our team plays in the same fashion as they did in the second half against MSU against either team, we are in big trouble. I'd say the way we played in the second half makes playoff talk a bit premature.

Joined: 04/04/2015

MGoPoints: 1807

late night BTB

October 29th, 2016 at 8:52 PM ^

A bounce or two differently and were fighting for the win.
Loved how we finished first half, did a 180 in the 2nd half. Shoulda hung 60 on em and been playing 2-3rd stringers the 4th qtr.
2nd half sickened me. Sickened me to see peppers mean mugging on the sidelines beating a 2-5 team by 13 with 2 mins left as the #2 team im country.
We'll get beat before OSU or get smoked by them



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MGoPoints: 978

BklynGoBlue

October 29th, 2016 at 9:31 PM ^

We win the game. That's all that matters. Yes, the second half wasn't perfect and we let them back in the game. But we were able to hold on and stay undefeated. On to the next one...

Joined: 10/25/2016

MGoPoints: 450

Rufus X

October 29th, 2016 at 10:14 PM ^

The INT from Speight was probably not a terrible throw, although it looked like it at first. I am pretty sure he intended it as a back shoulder throw, but Higdon, being young and a running back, didn't feel the coverage correctly. The result was terrible, and a seasoned QB shouldn't make that throw, but I don't believe it was a "bad throw" in the strictest sense. In any case Speight looked pretty good in this game. MSU just showed up in this game.



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war-dawg69

October 29th, 2016 at 11:12 PM ^

Higdon made the line to gain. Game over. Call blatant holds. Game over. Sorry not a catch in any sense. Game over. Harbaugh went conservative after the interception and sparty stopped the running game. Whats new?. Some things went spartys way in the end, but this game was not close, even though michigan should of finished better for sure and we all wanted msu crushed we are undefeated and sparty has lost six straight. Look at how recruiting is going. Msu is an after thought until Harbaugh leaves Ann Arbor and probably there after. Be very happy if you are a lifelong Michigan fan as I am. One game a at a time. osu better watch out for Nebraska. Lucky it's at home, but I think it won't matter. I was just as pissed as everyone and nervous until I realized you can't advance a kickoff. Hey msu could be are best buddies when they beat osu. Hmm. I think we are in good shape.

Joined: 10/07/2016

MGoPoints: 3061

1VaBlue1

October 29th, 2016 at 11:22 PM ^

I thought UM would win big, and that Harbaugh wouldn't call off the dogs.  But he did!  I didn't see that coming...  Oh well, me wanting a blowout means nothing, and I'm happy for the win.  Up 30-10, moving the ball mostly at will with the defense putting up zeros on the road?  I'll take that happily.  The last two scores didn't matter, the game was over and Sparty wasn't getting back into it.

I could be a litle worried about a pro-style manball team in the playoffs (which means Bama) based on the run yardage given up today.  It appears that Don Brown's defense might be better suited to stop the wide open spread teams, maybe?  Or maybe it was just a good running game going against a good defense - you know, the kind where each team makes plays?  I think thats it.  MSU has good backs, and they made plays on a well designed scheme - good for them.  But they lost.

All the whining is utterly ridiculous.  Please just STFU and go away for the night...

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 126476

war-dawg69

October 29th, 2016 at 11:35 PM ^

Lost all respect for msu when  that asshole stopped the clock when it surely ran out. That piece of shit was run out of the state and love Brandstatter for giving out his address on the air. They stopped letting home guys run the clock the year after because of that asshole. I always wonder where he and his family are hiding, because he decided cheating was more important than them. What you saw today will be the easiest msu has it going forward. Michigan top two class I believe. Msu maybe top thirty. Maybe. Things are just starting to happen for U of M. Tip of the iceburg going forward. I heard a osu fan ripping his team after they lost to a team we beat by 39. Regardless of the loss, turning on your team like that is redicilous. Hey are guys played a pretty good game, not perfect, but anyone ripping on them might want to rent a life and put things in perspective.

Joined: 10/07/2016

MGoPoints: 3061

Amaznbluedoc

October 30th, 2016 at 12:05 AM ^

Playing on the road against a rival is tough by any measure. Speight and the offense played well though sParty deserves credit for their tenacity and failure to quit. Our D didn't have their best performance against a one dimensional team but they did what was needed to win. How do folks parse the second half? Did Harbaugh let off the gas for a reason? Were they saying we got this and there's no need to risk anyone or show anything more than necessary? What a great feeling to hand Dantonio his 6th loss.

Joined: 09/27/2015

MGoPoints: 2240

Amaznbluedoc

October 30th, 2016 at 12:05 AM ^

Playing on the road against a rival is tough by any measure. Speight and the offense played well though sParty deserves credit for their tenacity and failure to quit. Our D didn't have their best performance against a one dimensional team but they did what was needed to win. How do folks parse the second half? Did Harbaugh let off the gas for a reason? Were they saying we got this and there's no need to risk anyone or show anything more than necessary? What a great feeling to hand Dantonio his 6th loss.

Joined: 09/27/2015

MGoPoints: 2240

Jonesy

October 30th, 2016 at 2:08 AM ^

I thought we might be a little over-confident and overrated after three weeks of awful rutgers, illinois, and slightly less challenging 'bye.'  Guess I was right, our D wasn't very good at all.

Joined: 03/14/2012

MGoPoints: 10525

BrightonB

October 30th, 2016 at 2:42 AM ^

I personally never thought this game would be easy.  For some reason I also think the Indiana game could be a dog fight as well.  Michigan State came to play today.  They played a full 4 quarters.  Our Offense out shined our defense for once in the first half.  The second half was sloppy for both for some reason.  We won ...... period.  I am happy for that.   MSU did not look like the under performer they have been this year.  They came out to smash us in the mouth.  This happens in rivalry games like this.  Same thing happens with other teams like when Alabama plays Auburn.  The records go "poof" and the game is "on".

It was a tough fought game.  Happy for the win.  Our "D' looked winded at the end but thank goodness for some of those 4th down stops or the game could of been different.  Bottom line is we made plays when we needed too and we made enough plays to get the "W". 

Something with the "D" did seem off and they just didn't seem to play with the same speed or fire for the most part.  It was just odd and unlike them on many plays. Hmmmmmm ......

A win is a win.   The way I see it .... only games of concern moving forward are Indiana and OSU. 

Really glad we got this W today.  It was a good day!  WOO HOO !

Joined: 10/04/2015

MGoPoints: 2559

ca_prophet

October 31st, 2016 at 1:42 AM ^

and it really wasn't that close.  MSU had the ball five times in the first half, with big drive, PF on 3rd down but the drive ended in turnover on downs, 41 yards (Scott had 42 on two plays) for a FG, -10 for a punt, and the pick.

We then took the kickoff, drove down the field but Speight made his big mistake of the day.  That runback plus a Corley run and a Peppers PI ultimately bought them nothing on the D's goal-line stand.

Michigan then drove the ball from the shadow of their goal posts, converting fourth downs along the way, for the rest of the quarter and got the FG (from 45 yards - nice kick by Allen).  It's now 30-10 in the 4th quarter and MSU has gotten nothing out of their last three drives across nearly thirty minutes.

Scott then pulls a 40 yard run out and they get down the field ... and they don't go for it 4th down and miss the FG to boot.  As Ace said, this was their shot to get back in it, and they missed.

The only time I'd say Michigan turtled is on the possession after that - they tried two runs and Darboh fell on a long pass attempt, but that's not an unreasonable series with a 20-point lead.

MSU then converted a 3-15 with a 10 yard dubious catch, an answered prayer for a 34 yards, and a good route that beat Stribling.  And yet we still have a 13-point lead with 7:30 to go.

Michigan then throws on 1st down, runs a naked QB keeper on 2nd, and converts on a 3-3 with a play-action pass.  This is hardly turtling.  Higdon, Higdon and Smith then do fail to convert but that last is 3-2 - run away from McDowell and I like Smith's chances at getting 2 yards, behind Mason Cole, don't you?  And when MSU gets the ball back, they have less than 4 minutes to get 13 points.

Lewerke then jukes McCray, Shelton jukes McCray and Thomas ... and the drive ends with a thunderous Peppers sack.  This is not lack of effort.

Now Michigan runs off another minute and MSU's timeouts and punts, because doing so *means the game is over*.  Yes, they got a last TD, but the truth is MSU never had the ball with a chance to take the lead since they punted from their own 7 with 5:20 to go in the 2nd quarter.

What I saw was Michigan methodically throttling an overmatched MSU team with LJ Scott punching back from time to time.  That guy can play and he was superb today, but that was nowhere near enough.

Joined: 09/07/2010

MGoPoints: 7009

gbdub

October 30th, 2016 at 3:55 AM ^

Literally the entire second half, there was not a single play on which Michigan State had an opportunity to tie or take the lead.

This game was not that close.



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NateVolk

October 30th, 2016 at 5:55 AM ^

Michigan dominated that game. I watched it twice.

If you thought MSU wasn't going to play a great game with max intensity all 4 quarters, you're insane.

The outcome was never in doubt  and whenever Michigan needed to turn on the jets, it did.  Michigan State got lucky at times last year, but it is a playoff program with a ten year coach at the helm.

They still have very good players. They were at home.

Don't kid yourself or fall in love with their fans' excuse list.

Joined: 07/19/2010

MGoPoints: 6863

MinWhisky

October 30th, 2016 at 9:12 AM ^

..."It wasn't as close as the final score indicates", but that is dishonest.  It was every bit as close as the final score indicated.  One could argue that MSU simply ran out of time and was outplaying UofM for the much of the second half.  We won, great, but I'll bet JH is addressing the following behind closed doors and I'll bet his words ars not kind:

  • Ben Gedeon disappeared for most of the game (the stats will verify that)
  • MSU's D-line got a yard or more penetration on key plays way too many times (saw it with my own eyes)
  • UofM's vaunted D-line did not dominate against a supposedly weak and hurt MSU O-Line (e.g. MSU got 200+ yards rushing)
  • UofM did not exhibit very much blitzing, did not play in an"attacking" style, and was not effective against the run (Don Brown's philosophy basically was non-existent for most of the game).
  • Speight's stats looked OK only because UofM's receivers made great catches on balls that were not well thrown

To me, the best result is that this was not a good game for UofM, but we still won.  I hope we got our "bad game" out of our system and that the above shortcomings are corrected.

Joined: 10/17/2011

MGoPoints: 1249