Defeat Points to Better Things

From our seats in the visitor section at Spartan Stadium, things are looking pretty good for this year's edition of our team. We lost 28-17, but we battled MSU very hard in a hostile environment. We didn't quit, and we fought through right until the last minute. Eventually, MSU adjusted and the team with the better players got it done. But we have to beat Kent and Miami and OU--not MSU.

The game boiled down to a couple of things. First, for most of the game, MSU was not able to consistently run the ball, but made two big catches on bombs and they both led to TDs. Given that they only scored four times, that's impressive. Take away those two plays, and it is a different game. Even take away the second bomb, when Tarell Lewis was right with the guy and he still caught it, and its a different game.

We also made some mistakes, and we pretty much need to be mistake free to win these games. There were a couple picks and a fumble. Also, MSU made some adjustments and really impacted our ability to move the ball in the second half. And we were playing without Corey Partridge.

Even with all that, we were in the game until the fourth quarter.

I was very proud of our overall effort. Let's start with the defense. This is, by far, the most encouraging part of our team, though we are playing better in all phases of the game. Our young players truly have matured and are playing very well. I think against the MAC, we'll look very good.

We got pressure on Hoyer (only one sack, but he often checked down as he felt pressure). They averaged only 5.6 yards per play, right where we ordinarily allow. We had some pressure and a big play when they were looking to score near halftime. Adrian Baker made a big play with pressure. Jahmal Brown flew all over the place. Hargrove and Haneline both had big games---note that this year our leading tacklers are LBs and not DBs.

Even the pass coverage was pretty good. Devin Thomas is a great player who ate us alive, as great players will do. Everyone else we covered pretty well. The TD pass to Davis was very well covered--the QB just threw it perfectly.

Even with the last quarter, they averaged only 3.5 yards per rush. I can't say how important this is for our team. Our defense--still young--looks like it stays home better, tackles much better, and covers better than last year.

On offense, the signs are still good. I thought Sheehan played well, he completed 64% of his passes, though he eventually succumbed to the pressure and coverage of the Spartans and made a couple of mistakes. We have to remember--as well as he has played--he is still a true-Soph who just started his second game.

Early on, we threw the ball very effectively, moving around like we usually do, using the whole field. Sheehan was especially effective on the roll out. Freddie Barnes continues to show that he is a player, and Brighton made some very nice catches and helps with depth. Marques Parks appears to be back to form, and Willie Geter made some plays (more later). When Corey is back, we have the receivers to compete.

We essentially gave up on the run. Still, it wasn't awful. We only recorded 25 rushes, but seven of those were sacks of Sheehan. No other player had more than 3 carries. Deduct all that, and you have 18 carries for 90 yards. I believe this was a largely tactical decision that we would have a hard time running against the MSU front line, and I think that with what we saw of Geter yesterday, Ransom against Minny, and Bullock last year, we are going to run fine in the MAC.

MSU really upgraded its D in the second half. They were dropping way back in coverage and still getting pressure. Nothing was open, and then Tyler would get caught with the ball, and bad things happened. The line played well in the first half, and I think remains a true strength, but they were dominated in the second half. And our receivers flat out could not get open. No way to mince it.

It was the first game where Willie Geter made a real impact. That kid is all man. He had a couple nice runs, and makes sharp cuts and takes punishment and still moves ahead. He was great on the little end around misdirection play. I think he could be a huge MAC performer in his day.

Finally, special teams. The punt game was very good. We punted 7 times, averaged forty yards, got 5 fair catches and the net was almost the same as the gross. We made a FG. So, the special teams are much upgraded. The next opportunity for improvement is the kickoff game. We gave up a couple of big returns and had some low, crudy kicks. On our end, we never got anything going. Willie should return kids. Also, we can't get Corey returning punts soon enough. Charles is a train wreck.

One last note. The Falcon contingent that was there was great. We are a great Nation. We may be small, but we were mighty. Great crowd support, and a great standing O to our team as they left the field.

It was a great trip. State fans were all great, very welcoming and friendly.

One last thing--coach said we did get some injuries. Other than Calvin Wiley, I didn't notice any, but that doesn't mean anything.

We do have a bye week, and then we get to try to get our revenge on the Temple Owls, who lost 42-7 to Buffalo. I'm just saying.