"Its an in-state Rival, but we have bigger expectations." - Brady Hoke

Submitted by TTT on

When asked if beating MSU is a monkey off the back of the program Hoke says "Yeah . . . Its an in-state Rival, but we have bigger expectations."

All hail Brady Hoke. Order has been restored.

 

EDIT: Lewan echos in saying "This game isn't our season." Love it.

weasel3216

October 20th, 2012 at 8:43 PM ^

Earlier in the week Hoke had to be careful not to give state any more motivation during his presser. It is great to finally be able to hear Hoke say what we all feel.



Go Blue!

michchi85

October 20th, 2012 at 8:44 PM ^

And it's not a knock against State.  Big Ten Championships are always the #1 goal, and by winning the game today they are a step closer.  Still need to focus on Nebraska next week though in another huge game.

MGoSoftball

October 21st, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^

hear Bo saying, "the goal is to win the Big Ten Championship." (with over announciation on the P).

Yesterday we beat a team in our division.  Every win against a division opponent is big.  Hoke will not allow the team to think this game was bigger than it was.  Staee fans think it was the Superbowl.  The RCMB is calling for Dantonio's job.

WilmotCt

October 20th, 2012 at 8:52 PM ^

Obviously good to get a win against a program we've had recent troubles with, but big thanks to Coach Hoke for injecting a dose of sobriety into this situation.

UMAFA08

October 21st, 2012 at 11:19 AM ^

That will probably be the best defense we face for the rest of the season. MSU's defense is easily the best in the conference (statistically) and one of the better ones in the country. Couple that with the rivalry aspect and that minor detail where UM hadn't beaten MSU since Carr was in Schembechler Hall, and yea, I'd call that a signature win (Especially for Denard as senior going out with a win over lil' bro - payback for all that cheap talking they were doing week 1).

lonewolf371

October 20th, 2012 at 9:00 PM ^

I hope he meant it respectfully. I'd like to believe that Hoke has a lot of class and doesn't show the same behavior towards his rivals as Dantonio.

That being said if he did grill Dantonio, Dantonio deserves it at this point with all the crap he's thrown at Hoke and Michigan over the last year.

Mmmm Hmmm

October 20th, 2012 at 9:28 PM ^

There are worse things to say for sure, but as printed words it is open to interpretation at least.  I doubt it moves the needle in the media (unless somebody has a story already written about Michigan arrogance and is looking for support), but I am sure that Dantonio will use it to motivate his players for next year.  Not that it will matter :)

g_reaper3

October 20th, 2012 at 9:20 PM ^

The crowd did rush the field. It was packed after the game.

I think a lot of Michigan fans wanted to beat Sparty pretty bad. Several vehemently disagreed with me when I said the Nebraska game is more important. Hopefully, everyone follows Hoke's lead and we focus on the B1G title and not Sparty from now on.

A2MIKE

October 20th, 2012 at 9:37 PM ^

After being at the game and watching both teams closely every week, two things became clear to me towards the end of the game.  Michigan State saved a ton for this game, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they overlooked Iowa, and prepped for Michigan nearly all of the last two weeks.  Secondly, I don't want to say that Denard has arrived as an actual QB, but you can actually see the marked improvement from the Notre Dame game.  It is as if a switch was flipped, he is being patient, staying in the pocked avoiding the rush and putting the ball on the money more often than not.  He is no longer trying to force the ball in tight windows (still makes a few bad reads per game) but when it's not there he simply waits.  I cant count the number of times he looked off his first and second progression and checked down to Dileo, Fitz or Jackson.  I wish like hell that he had one more year.  Go Blue!

Logan88

October 20th, 2012 at 10:53 PM ^

The sad part is that this actually was Denard's best performance against MSU. His only TO was a meaningless heave just before halftime, so that is a big improvement on his previous two efforts. However, his crappy passing (particularly in the red zone) is what kept this game close.

Sten Carlson

October 20th, 2012 at 11:34 PM ^

Mostly pretty bad?!?

Denard either ran or threw the ball 49 times for an average of 5.2 yards per play.  Michigan gained a total of 326 yards, and 259 of those yards were gained by Denard, either through the air, or on the ground.  The ENTIRE MSU TEAM gained a mere 45 yards more than he did.  Denard did what you ask of a senior QB in defensive battle rivalry game -- he managed the game, and made a few big plays when the team needed it most.

Denard didn't play poorly, MSU just has a great defense who plays their absolute best against Michigan and Denard.  Denard took what the defense gave him, and that 3rd down run on which he stretched out for the 1st down was HUGE -- not to mention his long run, and his pass to Dileo late.

If you expected Denard to torch MSU you were setting yourself up for a severe disappointment.  I couldn't be more proud of how Denard played, how he moved in the pocket, and let the game come to him, rather than trying to force it.

MGoClimb

October 20th, 2012 at 9:54 PM ^

Great game.  Great win.  We celebrate this one and move on to Nebraska next week.  Have to get up for that one.  It has let down game written all over it...

bronxblue

October 20th, 2012 at 10:05 PM ^

Good quote.  This team should have bigger plans - it is in the driver's seat for the B1G championship game, and then the Rose Bowl.  They should be looking beyond beating a 4-4 team.

DonAZ

October 20th, 2012 at 11:58 PM ^

Agree ... except for the several minutes of my heart jumping through my chest.  :-)

(I think it could be argued such games are good for a team -- teaches them a thing or two about close games, controlling emotions, and playing until the final whistle.  Those things might come in handy against, say, Nebraska or Ohio State.)

Elmer

October 21st, 2012 at 12:53 AM ^

I believe it.  I watched the game on the DVR and found out the score beforehand.  During the last few minutes, my heart was racing and I even knew the final score already.