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Game Thread Game Seven: #1 Ohio State 38, Michigan State 7 (10/14/06)

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Dispatch

Good days and bad days
Spartans? Stanton hasn?t been going great guns lately

Friday, October 13, 2006

Rob Oller
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

20061013-Pc-F5-0500.jpg
</IMG> Senior quarterback Drew Stanton has not thrown a touchdown pass in 2 1 /2 games, and Michigan State is 0-3 in its past three games. The Spartans are 20-23 with Stanton as their starter.


Drew Stanton attends yoga sessions each Monday to increase his flexibility, but the real stretching process has come on Saturdays.
The Michigan State senior quarterback is six games into a topsy-turvy season that has seen him experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows ? sometimes within the same quarter.
The highs now seem so long ago. Stanton led the Spartans to wins over Idaho, Eastern Michigan and Pittsburgh, throwing six touchdown passes and two interceptions in those first three games.
He continued his strong play through the first three quarters in a nationally televised game Sept. 23 against Notre Dame.
Then the stretching process began, during which Stanton appeared to pull every muscle in his body and also seemed to sprain his brain.
Leading 37-21 in the fourth quarter, the Spartans collapsed and lost 40-37. Stanton played a large part in the meltdown, throwing two interceptions in the last five minutes, including one that the Irish returned for the go-ahead touchdown. He finished 10-of-22 passing for 114 yards, two touchdowns and the picks.
The stretching continued a week later when Illinois, which had lost 24 of its previous 25 Big Ten games, stunned Michigan State 23-20 in East Lansing on homecoming. Stanton completed 15 of 24 passes for 114 yards and no touchdowns, plus suffered bruised ribs.
By that time, Stanton had to feel like he was being tortured on the rack. But the stretching continued as Michigan whipped up on MSU 31-13. The Spartans have gone 2? games without a passing touchdown, and now they get to take on No. 1 Ohio State. It doesn?t take a yoga instructor to know that this is no time to relax.
"We have to play a perfect football game to stay with them. ? If we don?t get prepared to play, it could get ugly," Stanton said.
Much of that preparation is up to Stanton, who sees his role during these turbulent times as part mentor, part motivator. Despite the distress of the past three games, he cannot afford to check out mentally or emotionally.
"Part of my job is knowing what I?ve got to do to be ready, and also helping other guys get their work in," he said.
Michigan State coach John L. Smith insisted that Stanton has not allowed the latest setbacks to dim his leadership.
"His mental outlook has been positive," Smith said. "One thing about Drew is that he puts (negatives) behind him and attempts to get better every day."
In some ways, there?s not a lot of room for improvement. Stanton, 6 feet 3, 230 pounds, has a career completion percentage of .649, just .001 behind the Big Ten record set by Iowa?s Chuck Long. Last season, he ranked second in the conference and 10 th nationally in passing efficiency (153.4). He also is considered by some NFL draft experts to be the second best quarterback behind Brady Quinn of Notre Dame.
On the other hand, the Spartans are only 20-23 with Stanton as their starting quarterback. And as well as he has performed, in his three most famous games ? the past two against Michigan and against Notre Dame in September ? Michigan State has not found a way to win, which is why playing against the Buckeyes offers another chance ? maybe a last chance ? to show the nation that he can stretch a defense as well as be stretched by adversity.
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Dispatch

OHIO STATE NOTEBOOK
Buckeyes hobbled, as are Spartans

Friday, October 13, 2006

Tim May and Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




When top-ranked Ohio State plays at Michigan State on Saturday, one story line could be the bruised vs. the battered.
Ohio State will be without co-captain/defensive tackle David Patterson, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday, and already has lost free safety Anderson Russell (knee) for the season. Offensive right tackle Kirk Barton (foot) is coming back after missing most of the game last week.
"He?s good to go," Tressel said of Barton yesterday after practice.
As for Michigan State, it has lost top tailback Javon Ringer (knee) for the season. Receiver Matt Trannon (ankle) is out for the game, and tight end Kellen Davis is one of four Spartans players who have been suspended indefinitely after an off-campus altercation this week.
Plus, several defensive starters are hurting and the Spartans have played musical chairs at left guard because of injuries.
The loss of Ringer and Trannon "are very significant, as is a free safety and a captain-defensive lineman," Tressel said, referring to his losses. "When you lose guys you?re really counting on, that affects you."
Green means go

Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. has some serious moves, and he?s not afraid to use them. His position coach, Darrell Hazell, said the coaches don?t mind his jukes and cutbacks, to a point.
"He?s got the green light to do whatever he wants to do on first or second down," Hazell said. "That bubble (screen pass) that he reversed field on last week (against Bowling Green), it was second-and-3. If it was thirdand-3, you?d like him to go get the first down. But secondand-3, let him go, let him play, don?t handcuff him."
Ginn gained 12 yards on the play, part of his 10 catches for 122 yards.
Bottom - line business

The defense has continued its pattern of giving up yards and some big plays, yet forcing turnovers and keeping teams out of the end zone. Consider this: The Buckeyes are 45 th in the nation in run defense, and opponents have had more long runs and passes of at least 20 yards (24) than Ohio State has had (22).
But the Buckeyes lead the nation in scoring defense at 9.3 points per game, giving up just six touchdowns, one rushing, in six games.
"We?re trying to get better as far as stopping the run, because at the end of the year we want to be tops in the nation in that category," cornerback Antonio Smith said. "But it all comes down to points. If they go 99 yards and can?t get in the end zone, then the defense at the end of the day has done their job."
The sixth man

Tim Schafer, who started the season at left guard before Steve Rehring took over three games in, has proved his worth by playing both tackle spots. He subbed for the injured Barton last week.
"He was the guy who went all 60-something plays the other day when everybody else was going their bits and pieces," Tressel said. "He has done a good job. ? The only thing he hasn?t played is center and right guard. He?s been solid. Thank goodness he?s here."

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Bowl is still in sight for Spartans
MSU needs three victories, and a .500 record, to be eligible for a postseason game.
Dave Dye / The Detroit News


Ohio State at Michigan State
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
Records: No. 1 Ohio State 6-0, 2-0 Big Ten; Michigan State 3-3, 0-2
TV/radio: Channel 7/WJR 760
Series: Ohio State leads 24-12
Line: Ohio State by 14
EAST LANSING -- With six games remaining, Michigan State needs at least three victories to become bowl-eligible.
At this point, it appears Michigan and Ohio State could be slotted in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), which would move the rest of the Big Ten up a notch in the pecking order.
Michigan State (3-3) currently is the seventh choice after Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Penn State and Purdue.
If the Big Ten gets two BCS bids, the seventh team would go to the Insight Bowl in Tucson, Ariz., to play a Big 12 team Dec. 29.
If the conference gets one BCS bid, the seventh team would go to the Motor City Bowl to play a Mid-American Conference team at Ford Field on Dec. 26.
With the move from an 11- to 12-game schedule, the NCAA changed the requirements to become bowl-eligible -- a .500 record rather than a winning record, provided the bowl has an automatic tie-in with its conference.
The Big Ten no longer is aligned with the Sun and Music City bowls. The new lineup is: Rose Bowl (or BCS national championship game), Capital One (Orlando), Outback (Tampa), Alamo (San Antonio), Champs Sports (Orlando), Insight and Motor City.
Michigan State's last bowl appearance was in the 2003 Alamo Bowl, a loss to Nebraska.
Following Saturday's home game against No. 1 Ohio State, Michigan State's final five are at Northwestern (2-4), at Indiana (3-3), vs. Purdue (4-2), vs. Minnesota (2-4) and at Penn State (4-2).
Word of warning
MSU season-ticket holders received an e-mail from university president Lou Anna K. Simon concerning crowd behavior at Spartan Stadium.
Simon wrote. " Complaints have been received regarding the throwing of objects in and around the stadium, intoxication, and instances of verbal taunting and intimidation of opponents and their fans."
Quotable
Coach John L. Smith had this explanation for a mistake in last week's loss to Michigan:
On not using his challenge or taking a timeout to get a U-M touchdown reviewed: "I really believe in my heart, as I talked to the official on our sideline, he totally believed it would be reviewed. He said, 'Coach, they're going to look at it.' I thought there's no way they cannot look at that play."
 
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Scouting the ...

... Buckeyes
Ohio State has been hearing all season how this is the "trap" game on its schedule, so there is no reason to expect the Buckeyes to come out flat. Past history should help with focus, too. Two other OSU teams -- 1998 and 1974 -- were No. 1 when losses to Michigan State derailed dreams of a national championship. The Buckeyes need to kick the Spartans while they're down, and make it look convincing for the polls.
... Spartans
Michigan State is only 2-10 under John L. Smith after Nov. 1, but this year the Spartans seem to have packed it in even earlier. They've lost three straight -- two of them in shocking fashion -- and got physically beat up in the process. They don't need a game against the No. 1 team to get re-energized. They need to spend the next six months in ICU.
 
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Coach John L. Smith had this explanation for a mistake in last week's loss to Michigan:
On not using his challenge or taking a timeout to get a U-M touchdown reviewed: "I really believe in my heart, as I talked to the official on our sideline, he totally believed it would be reviewed. He said, 'Coach, they're going to look at it.' I thought there's no way they cannot look at that play."
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When he says these things, doesn't he realize it is like digging a hole, deeper and deeper?
All he would have had to do was tell the official that if they were getting ready to snap, and the play was at that time then please call a timeout so we can have the play reviewed.
 
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Keys to victory

Buckeyes
1. Pray for a John L. brain cramp
He's good for at least one of those per game, especially this time of year when thoughts turn to Halloween and firing that guy masquerading as coach of the Spartans. In his three-plus years at MSU, John L. Smith's teams have always crawled to the finish line. They're 8-16 after Oct. 1 and have won only four of their last 16 post-September games. The slapstick routine he and his staff performed last year against OSU cost Smith's team a 20-7 lead at halftime. Thanks to sideline confusion, the Spartans had only 10 men on the field for a field goal attempt. The kick was blocked and returned for a touchdown, the Buckeyes went on to win the game and turn around their season and MSU sunk deeper into an abyss.
2. Turn Drew II into a re-run of Drew IIn the 38-17 win over Iowa two weeks ago, the Buckeyes rattled Drew Tate into submission, pressuring him early to throw him off his game. That's what they have to do against Drew Stanton. He's even more mobile than Tate and dangerous on the run. Bruised ribs might take away that element of Stanton's game, but the Buckeyes can't afford to relax. Last year they sacked him 12 times and he still threw for 340 yards. With reliable receiver Matt Trannon out (ankle) and the slumping Spartans in desperation mode, Ohio State should be able to add to its Big Ten-high 12 interceptions.
Spartans
1. Cause pain with 'Dayne'
Ohio State's still suspect run defense catches a break because of the season-ending knee injury to Javon Ringer. The Dayton native was on his way to a monster year, averaging 7.1 yards per carry before he got hurt. That puts the load on Ron Dayne clone Jehuu Caulcrick, a load himself at 260 pounds. The Spartans should use him like a battering ram until the Buckeyes prove they can stop him. He was a non-factor last week against Michigan without Ringer around to do most of the work, but did have 111 yards on eight carries against Notre Dame. (Then again, who hasn't run -- or passed -- on the Irish?)
2. Lose the statistical battle
Hey, winning it hasn't helped. Michigan State has generated more offense the last two years against the Buckeyes and has zip to show for it. The Spartans amassed 446 yards in last year's 35-24 loss and that was despite 58 yards lost on 12 sacks. OSU prevailed by scoring on a blocked field goal and three touchdown passes by Troy Smith. Two years ago, the Spartans were also done in by big plays despite a 100-yard edge in total offense. That was the day Ted Ginn Jr. and Heisman were first mentioned in the same breath. He scored on a 17-yard reverse, a 60-yard punt return and a 58-yard pass. Obviously, MSU needs to make the Buckeyes work harder for their points.
 
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buckeye247;632325; said:
Wow that sparty board really aggravated me. I hope they are just really sour because of their season but most of there attitude is uncalled for.
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It's a testosterone filled ass-hat contest over there. It's all about "I'm better and funnier than the next guy". And the junior high "Mine is huge" mentality. There are an inordinate amount of poop and fart jokes too.

It's like being at a Monster Truck-Pull contest and arguing over who the coolest WWF wrestler is, with a bunch of drunk pre-pubescent midgets who are determined to prove that YOU are short.

It is the product of an enormous inferiority complex. If you aren't a State fan, you just get torched over there QUICKLY, because they know they are an easier target than nearly any visitor during Football season.

It's the actual polar opposite of what you'll find on gameday at MSU tailgate parties. You will meet some of the nicest, most hospitable people in the world.
 
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sandgk;632394; said:
When he says these things, doesn't he realize it is like digging a hole, deeper and deeper?
All he would have had to do was tell the official that if they were getting ready to snap, and the play was at that time then please call a timeout so we can have the play reviewed.
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What's worse, is that he also said he didn't want to waste a first half timeout.

Now, this is the same guy that had a nice lead against ND late in the first half, had ND pinned deep in their own end, and DID NOT use a timeout to try to get the ball back (in what would be great field position) with some amount of time on the clock. Instead, ND ran down the clock, and punted the ball to MSU with like 30 seconds left in the half. Opportunity lost.

So, first half timeouts are so precious that he'll forego a review of 7 points in order to keep one on the scoreboard, but the buffoon doesn't know how to use them to try to get himself some points late in the half/game.
 
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SufferinSpartan;632416; said:
What's worse, is that he also said he didn't want to waste a first half timeout.
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Of course! Everybody knows that in John L Smith Land you get to save your first half timeouts and use them later in the second half. You can actually save them from game to game and redeem them in the off season like credit card miles and points. There are all sorts of things you can buy with your timeouts, like sky diving lessons, mountain climbing packages, and even official Michigan State apparel, so that you can dress up like a Big Ten coach and live the dream with a fantasy day, pretending to be a competent Sparty coach for three quarters against Notre Dame on national TV.

Really, you can buy just about anything with your spare timeouts. Except for dental work.
 
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Dryden;632441; said:
Of course! Everybody knows that in John L Smith Land you get to save your first half timeouts and use them later in the second half. You can actually save them from game to game and redeem them in the off season like credit card miles and points. There are all sorts of things you can buy with your timeouts, like sky diving lessons, mountain climbing packages, and even official Michigan State apparel, so that you can dress up like a Big Ten coach and live the dream with a fantasy day, pretending to be a competent Sparty coach for three quarters against Notre Dame on national TV.

Really, you can buy just about anything with your spare timeouts. Except for dental work.
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Our Cowboy Coach =
jlsclown.gif
"Slappy tClown"

Listen to this RANT by MSU Grad, Radio host Mike Valenti after the ND loss. It is absolutely classic. It epitomizes the SSS (Suffering Spartan Syndrome).

http://www.getsportsinfo.com/lance/valentirant.mp3
 
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Hello all, Long time Lurker first time poster. Visited East Lancing last week for the 1st time and was not that impressed. Although their BW3's was nice and none of the MSU or sCUM fans messed when any of us three tOSU fans watching the game there. Thats about it GO BUCKS !!!!!!!!
 
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Chitown Buckeye;632867; said:
Hello all, Long time Lurker first time poster. Visited East Lancing last week for the 1st time and was not that impressed. Although their BW3's was nice and none of the MSU or sCUM fans messed when any of us three tOSU fans watching the game there. Thats about it GO BUCKS !!!!!!!!
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Welcome to the board! Buckeyes by 21 this week :wink:
 
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