Some thoughts
There are threads for most of what I'll say here, but instead of going through and posting in each and every one, I figure I'll just compose it all in one place.
1. Like RR said, it was not a fake punt. Zoltan had the read (as he did many times last year), and he just made the wrong one.
2. I don't have a problem giving Zoltan the option, but I didn't like the playcall on 3rd down before that. I'm just not a fan of giving the ball to our 190 pound (I'm being generous) QB and having him run into a mass of humanity. Give it to a RB.
3. I also wasn't thrilled with Denard getting a series early in the 4th. I guess I can see the attempt at creating a spark, since the offense wasn't doing anything, but it was just ugly. -18 yards in three plays.
4. If Tate Forcier is our MVP, David Molk is 1A (or 1B to Brandon Graham). His absence was enormous today, and it creates a domino effect on the OL with guys shifting around.
5. While I thought the defense did a decent enough job down the stretch (with a little help from Dantonio playing Lloydball), they really changed the whole complexion of the game by allowing MSU to march the field and bleed 10 freaking minutes off the clock even when they committed THREE personal fouls. That drive was just nauseating, and it allowed MSU to set the tempo for the entire game. In that sense, Dantonio "outcoached" RR today.
6. There is no quick fix for what ails the defense. Mouton and Ezeh are unspeakably bad right now. The DBs, save for Warren, have zero awareness. There really is nothing Greg Robinson can do to fix that this year. There's only one solution to the D: recruiting. And to be frank...the coaches need to step it up bigtime in that regard. And I'm not "stargazing" when I say that, either.
7. So disappointing that it took 3 and a half quarters to finally break MSU's secondary. That is a really bad unit.
8. Going for two was never an option. No timeouts, Tate was spent, and it's just generally a low percentage play.
9. With that said...I knew we were in trouble when MSU won the toss in OT. Like I said, Tate was shot. Completely exhausted, and we couldn't run the ball. We needed to go on defense first to give him a breather. Didn't happen.
10. Agonizing to watch the replay of the INT in OT, not only because Odoms was completely covered, but because Koger had a clear step on Denson on an underneath crossing route at the first down marker. If Tate sees him, that's an easy first down, and maybe a touchdown. But at that part...there was nothing left in the tank.
11. So many missed opportunities today. Stevie Brown randomly cutting back on the INT return, not jumping on one of Caper's fumbles, Moosman's bad snap that killed our drive near the redzone in the 2nd quarter Stonum's fumble when the offense was finally moving in the 4th...we left a lot of points and opportunities for points on the field.
12. A silver lining from a very up and down day with a really sour ending: our quarterback is an absolute warrior. He will make freshman mistakes (as he did today), but that final drive, I hope everyone realizes the magnitude of that. Yes, we lost...but a freshman QB in his first road game drove 92 yards with no timeouts and threw the tying touchdown with two seconds left. That shit just isn't supposed to happen. There is no "ceiling" for Tate Forcier. Plain and simple. Denard is faster, Devin is bigger (and faster)...but nothing is impossible with Tate as our quarterback. If Devin Gardner somehow beats Tate out for the starting job before his eligibility is up, then we are RIDICULOUSLY blessed.
That's all I got for now...how bout you guys?
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
going for two isnt that low of a percentage. I believe its around 48%. Not that i'm saying he should have went for two,but I wouldnt have been pissed if they did try it.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:44 PM ^
With no timeouts, a QB who's got nothing left in the tank, wet conditions, and virtually no threat of a run, it would be considerably less than 48%.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:55 PM ^
So many times I've told (and convinced) myself that Tate had "nothing left in the tank", only to see him find just that little bit more. Today? Maybe.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:58 PM ^
Agreed. Tate needed some oxygen, he looked spent after the TD.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:46 PM ^
He was shot after the play where he ran and fumbled the ball out of bounds. He sucked it up and managed to get the team into the end zone.
Other Brian, while I agree with almost everything in your post I would have to say that maybe Tate had lost faith in Koger at that point as he had at least three drops that I distinctively remember. Didn't really care for that whole series though. Tate on a three yard run, hand off for two as we had their secondary reeling and I was actually expecting to see a replay of the winning TD play that was run against ND.
I am surprised that we didn't see one play with both Tate and Denard in the game together.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:27 PM ^
I believe there was one early in the game that didn't produce much yardage.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 PM ^
I agree with almost everything. I think our D actually played quite well given what they have shown they are capable of so far this year. The 3rd down call before the infamous fake punt was horrible. 4th and inches, why not scrap the shotgun snap and just line up under center and QB dive? That play killed me. It also seemed like we were in 3rd and long all damn day. We are always in the game when Tate is our QB. He is insanely good. It is almost unbelievable. Great game, bad outcome.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:19 PM ^
3rd down and 1 or 2 yards with Minor or Brown and we don't run it? Get in the I formation and run it up the middle with a lead fullback. I was so pissed when we set up in the shotgun because you knew Tate was gonna run. They should have absolutely gone for it on 4th down and 4 inches. I felt like we never really tried to run up the middle at all. You have to be able to run between the tackles.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 PM ^
I wouldnt have been pissed to have our offense decide the game rather than having our defense have to make a stop. Either way I think they made the right call.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:55 PM ^
Our D shut them out pretty much the whole fourth quarter...
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:04 PM ^
it worked well in over time didnt it? I'm not saying I disagree with kicking the extra point. just saying I wouldnt have been upset if they would have went for two. I still think the coaches made the right call.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 PM ^
Agree with all this...especially point #12. We have a real gamer for a QB, let's not forget this was his FIRST road start with a big rival. We did not deserve to even be in this at the end but we were.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:55 PM ^
...of urgency throughout the game.
They started to gel and move the ball, but only when they absolutely, positively had to. That's a big problem going forward. If we can't instill that same sense of urgency on every down, then we're relegated to playing catch up late in the game, which seems to be our modus operandi this year.
Unfortunate.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 PM ^
No pass rush on 3rd and long was the difference....period. They converted huge 3rd and long plays which sustained drivres, led to points, and kept our offense off the field.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 PM ^
but that all Cousins would do was step into the pocket and run for a first down. Why the hell did we not drop a DT or use a LB to spy him? It was maddening that we did not make an adjustment to this. Maybe we did and our LB just suck and were out of position. I felt like we were getting around the ends but there was no contain in the middle. So frusterating though.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:21 PM ^
Putting a spy on the QB means taking a player away from his other responsibilities and having him basically stand there and do nothing if the QB doesn't run. It's a sensible gamble if the QB regularly carries the ball, but Cousins doesn't normally fit into that category.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 PM ^
...played inspired all game long while Michigan played "scared." I hate to admit it, but Sparty deserved the win today.
Onward and hopefully upward!
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:00 PM ^
The only two games this year where it seemed like we came out of the tunnel with a serious chip on our shoulder were the first two. Since then, we've looked like someone told the team their dog died.
It's not just having "enough in the tank" to last 60 minutes; it's having enough to play for 12 weeks. Each week, the energy level wanes.
Maybe we can get Rosenberg to write a follow-up article about the program.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^
Agree with all your points.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:09 PM ^
Disappointed. I really felt we could have won the game in many ways, but we didn't play 4 quarters to win. I hope the team can learn from this and take it to Iowa. Go Blue.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:09 PM ^
I know its just a game, but man this ruined my weekend and the next week. The way Michigan is messing with my emotions pisses me off. Was pretty dejected the whole game and them BAM get my hopes up. Only to be let down. This must be how the Spartans feel pretty much every year.
The third down conversions killed us. They were long third downs. And to have cousins run on us like they did. C'mon. Tate is the man though. Some of the Spartys on another forum were saying the love the RR era. Well they better be ready for the next 3 years at least. Gettin a W next week in kinnick will be a great feeling.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 PM ^
#3 - easy to say that with hindsight, but keep in mind that we didn't have a spark at that point. The offense was inexplicably flat all game.
#4 - We should/could have won this game without Molk. As an aside, if we can't beat a very meh MSU team without him, it doesn't bode well for us. Keep in mind that MSU was manhandled by Wisky (that isn't a bad team, but not a contender by any means). I'm hoping that our struggles had more to do with State's intense focus on this game (and desperation) than anything else.
#5 - It's impossible for Dantonio to outcoach Rodriquez. The gap in talent is too vast to close, even when RRod is having his worst day.
#11 - totally agree. What was the deal with the dropsies today?
#12 - totally agree. Despite the final score, this game will be remembered for his drive to send it into overtime. If GERG can shore up the D, this team will be unstoppable by Tate's junior or senior year.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 PM ^
I some how like our chances next week better now. crazy I know but I think this team will rally for Iowa.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 PM ^
Given the lack of talent on D save a few right now, its a credit to the coaches that M kept Sparty to 20 through regulation...and its not all due to Sparty not executing...M's D had something to do with it.
Time will tell, but I think the guys we have right now are being coached to execute above their overall talent level at the moment.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:15 PM ^
Our defense looked very good when MSU played predictably, when they mixed stuff up we looked terrible. That drive where they had one million penalties and still scored was just despicable. The O-line had zero cohesion. Maybe the coaches will look to put Huyge in at center and return everyone else to their old spots.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:35 PM ^
was the worst "call" ive seen RR make. saying it was on zoltan is a pretty cop out excuse. you either punt the ball or you line up and smash it in. you dont give your punter the option to make the call himself inside the 15. even if he is a ray guy award contender. hes 15 yards back. thats on the head coach.
punt it or not. that cost us 3 points, which was the difference.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:37 PM ^
For everyone who wants to defend Rich Rod, as I have now for year and a half, I am totally against his hire at this time, he approaches MSU like John Cooper used to approach Michigan. I honestly thought we would pull plays out of the hat, and really confuse MSU, instead we get a shot to ruin MSU at the beginning of the game and run a simple counter play to Brown, are you kidding me? You go for the end zone after a big turnover? Did Michigan not watch the tape of CMU, Wisconsin, etc....there secondary could cover a criminal, it's a joke yet we continually ran the ball even though they were playing the run? What happened in the 4th quarter was available all game and shame on RIch Rod and Calvin Magee for not having a better game plan, that's where this game was lost, MSU did not win this game, U of M coaching lost this game, and I'm losing faith in Rich Rod game by game.....
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 PM ^
"I'm losing faith in Rich Rod game by game"
Then you didn't have faith in him to begin with, troll.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:50 PM ^
troll
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:07 PM ^
So you defended RichRod for a year and a half, and now you're "totally against his hire"? An overtime loss in the fifth game of the season was enough to put you over the edge?
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 PM ^
If you had told me before the game started that our D would only give up 26 points, I would have taken it and expected a win. The D was soft, but it held up in the redzone most of the day. The offense was missing for 3 quarters. Despite the fumbles, dropped passes, bad snaps, and an offensive line that was overmatched all day we still had chance at the end. I'm disappointed, but not despondent like I was after losses in 07 and 08.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:08 PM ^
Are your joking? I'm as big a Michigan fan as anyone, if you can honestly say you watched that game and thought Calvin Magee called a great game you must be smoking crack? Again MSU was the 11th ranked pass defense going into this game, and yet we continued run the ball for 3 quarters yet you can find nothing wrong with this coaching staff? Are you kidding me? I'm no Carr fan but I atleast he would put the ball in the air, as this game reminded me of 2007 when Henne (bad shoulder) threw to Manningham for the game winner, I was there, and once they couldn' run the ball they threw it....big shocker very similar today, yet Magee could adapt until the 4th quarter? A joke we had receivers open all day....keep throwing it until they sto it...
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:45 PM ^
Yes, if there's one thing I miss about Lloyd, it's the wide-open passing attack he always unleashed.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:10 PM ^
Comments according to points
What did Zoltan see? It seems the staff would give him more implicit instructions on when to fake and when not to.
I agree with you on the third down play that called for Tate to pick up the first down, I just don’t see that play being a positive with Tate as the runner almost any situation.
In the first half, the Spartans definitely pulled out all the stops, kudos to their coaching staff, the team was well prepared. I didn’t see ‘The Drive” that ate up the first quarter because I was at work, but the idea that I kept popping in to get an update and the dang thing was still in effect, that was demoralizing.
Based on the points surrendered, I don’t think the defense played that poorly. In the first half, the Spartan offense was diverse and well executed. They were fired up and desperate to win that game. Cousins was a monster, I thought that dude couldn’t run! Certainly, we could use some more talent out there but for what we have, I think Coach Rob did good.
I fault the offense on losing this game; we couldn’t do anything for most of it. I know the defense needed to generate some some three and outs, but the offense could of /should have been more productive; scoring 20 a game isn’t going to win that many.
I was all about taking it into overtime too. Tate just ran us the length of the field; I felt he would out duel Cousins. I didn’t have a good feeling about things when we lost the coin toss either; Tate was spent with little left in the tank. When he threw that pick, the first thing I thought of was ‘freshman mistake’, the one that happens when the stakes are high and the heat is on; the one that is almost ordained to happen.
Go Blue!
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:10 PM ^
7. Until he started rolling out immediately late in the 2nd half, it felt like the MSU line got pressure almost every time Forcier dropped back to pass. The receiver drops in the first half really hurt, but there was little time to set up to throw. Did we try to throw downfield more than once besides the two TD drives in the 4th?
7a. Of the 10 rushing attempts by backs and Odoms (not counting the Minor run in OT), 4 went for negative yards. Forcier and Robinson were sacked 4 times. I seem to remember 1 or possibly 2 were coverage sacks, but MSU was in the backfield all game. That is what covered for the sketchy MSU secondary.