FOOTBALL

Michigan State football faces harsh reality

Are the Spartans in trouble?

Published

1 month ago

May 1, 2023

Joey Shaver

Michigan State football lost two offensive starters on Sunday and now the Spartans have to face a harsh reality.

Up until Sunday, the Michigan State football offseason turnover within the roster and coaching staff seemed normal by 2023 standards. The Spartans lost a couple of players to the transfer portal. Their up-and-coming pass rush specialist left for a dream job in the NFL. Another position coach left to coach at his alma mater.

None of it was ideal. But all understandable in the landscape of college football in 2023.

That all changed on Sunday when Payton Thorne and Keon Coleman entered the transfer portal within minutes of each other. Thorne was expected, by some, to be MSU’s starting quarterback for a third season. Coleman was expected to build on his stellar 2022 season before leaving for the NFL.

If the departures from earlier felt like rumblings of uneasiness within the program, Sunday’s news amplifies that feeling significantly.

Let’s start with Thorne. I’ve seen some people make the argument that this was a signal that he’d lost his job as the starting quarterback. I don’t believe that to be the case. First off, Thorne started every game that Michigan State played the last two seasons. Even last year when things went downhill, at no point did the coaching staff go away from him. To me, this was the clearest indication of where he stood relative to the other players at the position. Thorne also admitted that he played hurt all last season after getting dinged in the Western Michigan game. The coaching staff told us with their decision making that a less than 100 percent Thorne was still their best option.

Secondly, from what I saw and heard at the spring game in 2023, Thorne would still be the guy if there were a game tomorrow. Noah Kim has closed that gap. No doubt. To what degree, though, we don’t know. At the very worst, though, this was an open competition heading into fall camp. An open competition that Thorne would be favored to win because at no point has Kim proven in a game setting that he’s a better quarterback. So, if he’s not leaving for the opportunity to start elsewhere, then why is he leaving?

The unfortunate answer to that question may be in plain sight. Because now it’s time to talk about Coleman. He is not only Michigan State’s best player, but he could be one of the best players in America next season. At this point, with the current rules in place regarding transfers, Coleman can essentially pick where he wants to play. He can be the centerpiece of an offense and should have every opportunity to show his value to NFL executives. On Sunday, though, he chose to showcase those traits at a place other than Michigan State.

So what’s going on? If Thorne and Coleman know they have roles at MSU, then why are they leaving? Are they feuding with the coaching staff? Other players? Are they sensing regression from the team and getting out early? Do they feel they’re being used incorrectly? Are they unhappy with NIL opportunities? We don’t know. We may never know. But it signifies a problem.

High-level players don’t leave a place like Michigan State. These moves might be expected at a place like Akron or San Jose State. Players leave that type of a situation for NIL money or a chance to play on bigger stages. Michigan State is one of the 20-25 schools in America where those advantages are already built in. The inability to retain those types of players is a Michigan State problem. It’s not a 2023 landscape problem.

Which brings us to Mel Tucker and the program as a whole. Sunday presented a sobering reality for where this thing could be headed. All of the momentum that was built up after the 2021 season seems to have vanished. The transfer portal goes both ways. It can be the equalizer for quick turnarounds. It can also be the accelerator to a spiraling downfall. Michigan State was expected to be better in 2023 than they were last season. They got undeniably worse on Sunday.

Sure, when one door closes, another one opens. Michigan State football has plenty of other capable talents on its roster.

Maybe Kim will turn into Joe Montana. Maybe this gives Katin Houser the opportunity he needs. We don’t know. But the message that was sent on Sunday was powerful. Two of Michigan State’s best players don’t believe in the path forward. Yes, that’s a personal decision and everyone’s situation is different. But how many other guys in that locker room feel the same way?

The path forward for Mel Tucker is difficult. Not impossible by any means, but difficult. In the short term, he’ll have to figure out how to make MSU a better football team without two starters. Because this is college football after all, and winning cures everything. In the long-term, though, he’ll have to pump some confidence and reassurance into a program that took a shot in the ribs on Sunday. If he is the coach and leader we all believe he is, the Spartans will get through this. But this was an unexpected stumble in the journey.

Michigan State believes it is an ascending program within college football. The decisions made on Sunday tell a different story. Fortunately for MSU and its fans, the story isn’t over yet. It’s just not going the way it had hoped.

Related Topics:michigan state football michigan state spartans

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FOOTBALL

Mark Dantonio, 3 other Spartans on CFB Hall of Fame ballot

This one should be a no-brainer.

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2023

Connor Muldowney

Former Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio, along with three other Spartans, are on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

It’s that time of the year when the College Football Hall of Fame releases its ballot and Mark Dantonio, along with three other Spartans, have made the cut for the 2024 class.

Former MSU coach Mark Dantonio debuts on the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame ballot. OT Flozell Adams and and coach Darryl Rogers also on it again, as is former player Gideon Smith in the divisional coaching category.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) June 5, 2023

Dantonio is one of nine coaches on the ballot at the FBS level and Flozell Adams is one of five offensive linemen — he’s joined by former Michigan lineman Steve Hutchinson and the famous Michael Oher from Ole Miss. Four of the five offensive linemen on the ballot are from Big Ten schools. Darryl Rogers joins Dantonio as one of nine coaches and Gideon Smith is one of 32 coaches from the divisional ranks but he was a trailblazing player for the Spartans in 1915.

Many have been clamoring for Adams to make the Hall of Fame for years while Dantonio feels like a surefire selection and he compares favorably to the other coaches on the ballot.

Let’s take a look at his resume compared to the other FBS coaches on the ballot:

Dantonio: 132-74 career record, 7-6 bowl record, 3 Big Ten titles
Larry Blakeney: 178-113-1 career record, 2-3 bowl record, 8 conference titles
Jim Carlen: 107-69-3 career record, 2-5-1 bowl record, 1 SoCon title
Pete Cawthon Sr.: 98-50-10 career record, 0-2 bowl record, 2 conference titles
Larry Coker: 86-47 career record, 4-2 bowl record, 1 national title, 3 Big East titles
Ralph Friedgen: 75-50 career record, 5-2 bowl record, 1 ACC title
Darryl Rogers: 129-84-7 career record, 1-2 bowl record, 2 conference titles
Frank Solich: 173-101 career record, 7-9 bowl record, 1 Big 12 title
Tommy Tuberville: 159-99 career record, 7-6 bowl record, 2 conference titles

Compared to the others, Dantonio has the fourth-most all-time wins, he’s one of four with a winning bowl record, and he is tied for second-most conference titles.

Dantonio is credited for turning around the Michigan State football program after years of irrelevance. Following the departure of Nick Saban before the 2000 Citrus Bowl, Michigan State was a non-factor in the Big Ten. All Dantonio did was lead Michigan State back to the top of the conference and to its first playoff ever. He also won two BCS/New Year’s Six bowls.

This should be a no-brainer.

FOOTBALL

Mark Dantonio lists top favorite 25 plays during his MSU tenure (Video)

This is an awesome list.

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2023

Daily MSU

Former Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio carefully chose his top 25 favorite plays during his tenure.

Former Michigan State Football coach Mark Dantonio is arguably the greatest coach in program history. Dantonio is highly regarded by all Michigan State fans even with the poor state the program was in when he retired. He gave us some of our programs greatest moments in history. Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, College Football Playoff and countless massive regular season wins are just a few of the great moments he brought us.

Recently Dantonio sat down with Michigan State and the Big Ten Network. During this meeting, Dantonio gave his Top 25 plays during his Michigan State tenure. This list was made solely by Mark Dantonio. He not only looked at the play itself, but also the impact it had on our program.

Lets dive into them 25-1:

25. Brian Lewerke TD to Madre London at Michigan (2017)

In a game that Michigan State was not expected to win, this was a perfectly run screen pass that scored easily with two linemen leading the way.

24. Connor Cook game-winning TD pass in Cotton Bowl (2015)

This game is one of the greatest in Michigan State history. Michigan State defeated Baylor in the Cotton Bowl after being down by 20 points in the fourth quarter. This pass was the game-winning touchdown in this classic.

23. Brian Hoyer third TD pass to Devin Thomas vs. Penn State (2007)

The play itself seemed pretty normal on its own. But three touchdowns to the same receiver in a win against Penn State definitely deserves to be on this list.

22. Three touchdown runs vs. Michigan

Nothing is sweeter than scoring against Michigan. In the No. 22 spot, Dantonio selected three key touchdown runs in wins against Michigan over the years. This includes touchdown runs from Edwin Baker, LeVeon Bell, and Jeremy Langford.

21. Three touchdowns vs. Wisconsin (2011)

This game is another all time classic in Michigan State history. This selection includes two touchdowns from Keshawn Martin and one from BJ Cunningham. These massive plays all helped setup the magical ending to this game. More to come later on this one.

20. Three interceptions for touchdowns

Dantonio selected three interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the No. 20 spot. The first was by Darqueze Dennard in the 2012 Outback Bowl victory against Georgia. The other two were massive in big wins over Michigan. Dantonio prioritized the Michigan game ever year, so it is no surprise seeing plays against them all over this list.

19. Game-winning FG vs. Wisconsin (2008)

This game was not as big as others, but a game winning field goal is always exciting. In this one, Brett Swenson hit a 44-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Badgers.

18. Defensive stop to beat Iowa (2008)

I always think defensive plays deserve more love. In this selection, Adam Decker stops Iowa on fourth-and-1 to seal a Spartan victory over the Hawkeyes.

17. Fake punt at Iowa (2013)

Mike Sadler is one of the greatest punters in Michigan State history. In this play, he showed off his legs in a different way. To start the fourth quarter, he successfully ran for 20 yards to pick up a key first down in a very tight game.

16. Another TD run at Michigan (2008)

This play was one of the biggest in this rivalries history. A long run by Javon Ringer helped lead Michigan State to victory for the first time in Ann Arbor since 1990.

15. Blocked FG in 3OT Outback Bowl vs. Georgia (2012)

Another special teams play, this time a blocked field goal in triple-overtime to beat Georgia in the Outback Bowl. I believe winning this game was a turning point for our program, and this play sealed the win.

14. Acrobatic interception vs. Iowa (2015)

Everyone remembers how unbelievable this play was. In the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game, Demetrius Cox pulled off an interception I have never seen before. After a fellow teammate broke up the pass in the end zone, the ball ended up lying on his back. Cox saw the ball, scooped it off his teammates back and helped kill a promising Hawkeyes drive.

13. Negative-48 rushing yards vs. Michigan (2013)

This is another combination of multiple plays. In Michigan States 2013 domination over Michigan, the Spartans’ defense held Michigan to negative-48 rushing yards. Yes, you read that correctly. That is a number I doubt we ever see again.

12. Larry Caper TD run vs. Michigan (2009)

Larry Caper’s 24-yard overtime touchdown run is one of my personal favorite plays of all time. Nothing about the play itself was memorable, but the meaning behind it is everything. This was the first time Michigan State won consecutive games over the Wolverines since 1967. This game also helped springboard the Spartans into their dominant run over Michigan.

11. Brian Hoyer TD pass to Blair White at Michigan (2008)

Another memorable play against, you guessed it, Michigan. This was a 61-yard pass from Brian Hoyer to Blair White early in the first quarter to help the Spartans defeat their in-state rivals again.

10. Connor Cook TD pass to Tony Lippett in Rose Bowl (2014)

The greatest stage in all of college football saw the Spartans beat Stanford in the 100th Rose Bowl. This touchdown pass ending up being the game-winning score in one of the greatest games in program history.

9. Blocked FG in Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor (2015)

This is another play from Michigan State’s historic comeback win against Baylor in the Cotton Bowl. Marcus Rush blocked the Baylor field goal attempt to keep Michigan State only down by six. This setup the game-winning drive at the end of the fourth quarter.

8. Walk-off Hail Mary vs. Wisconsin (2011)

This is another iconic moment in Spartan Stadium history. As time expired, Kirk Cousins threw a Hail Mary touchdown pass to Keith Nichol to upset the Badgers.

7. Jeremy Langford TD run vs. Ohio State (2013)

In the 2013 Big Ten Championship game vs Ohio State, Jeremy Langford sealed the Spartans victory with this long touchdown run. This touchdown put the Spartans up by 10 with two minutes left in the game, ending Ohio States chances and clinching a trip to the Rose Bowl.

6. Walk-off FG at Ohio State (2015)

This play not being higher shocks me. On a night when star quarterback Connor Cook was out injured, Michigan State was still able to pull off the upset road win against Ohio State. Michael Geiger knocked in the winning field goal as time expired. Afterwards, he celebrated with his iconic windmill celebration that I’m sure you all are replicating right now.

5. Little Giants (2010)

I would argue this play is easily the best play call in Dantonio’s career. In overtime against Notre Dame, Michigan State lined up for the tying field goal to force a second overtime. Instead, they faked the field goal, threw the touchdown pass and the rest is history.

4. Trouble with the Snap (2015)

I, for one, am shocked this play isn’t No. 1. Do I even need to remind you what this play is? Jalen Watts-Jackson returned the muffed Michigan punt for a touchdown in 2015 as time expired to win the game. This play will be remembered forever.

3. Game-winning TD vs. Iowa (2015)

Who can forget the iconic final drive against Iowa in the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game. In a drive that was 22 plays long and took over nine minutes, LJ Scott capped it off with his short touchdown run. The mantra that season was “reach higher” and that’s exactly what he did on the run to avoid a Hawkeye tackler. College Football Playoff, here we come.

2. Fourth-down stop vs. Ohio State (2013)

This is the play when we knew we were Rose Bowl bound. Denicos Allen stopped Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller on fourth down to seal the Spartans victory. I always think defensive plays deserve more credit and I’m glad Dantonio put this play so high on his list.

1. Rose Bowl-clinching stop (2014)

Did you guess this play was coming? Kyler Elsworth’s fourth-down stop against Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl is Mark Dantonio’s top play from his tenure. There is no bigger non-playoff stage in college football than the Rose Bowl, so it is no surprise to see the game-winning play at No. 1.

To see the full list on Twitter with a video highlight of each play, click the link below.

This will be fun.

We asked @DantonioMark for his favorite @MSU_Football plays. 💚

He ranked them, 25-1, and we're threading them here. ⚡

🧵 pic.twitter.com/0k1DplKUDD

— Michigan State on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) May 31, 2023

FOOTBALL

Michigan State football: Washington game time, channel announced

Fans won’t be too thrilled about the channel.

Published

6 days ago

May 31, 2023

Daily MSU

The Washington vs. Michigan State football rematch is on Sept. 16, and the Spartans have revenge on their minds.

The game time for the Washington vs. Michigan State football game was just announced and is one I think most Michigan State fans will be happy with. The game will kick off at 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 16.

MSU-Washington will be a 5 p.m. kickoff at Spartan Stadum on Sept. 16 and air exclusively on NBC’s Peacock streaming platform.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) May 31, 2023

This is a great start time for Michigan State fans. That will give fans plenty of time to travel to East Lansing, enjoy a tailgate and get into the stadium. On top of that, the game will get down around 8 p.m. ET which is good for the crowd that does not like to be out late.

However, I think a lot of fans were hoping for a noon start time in this game. A noon start would have been a 9 a.m. local time for Washington, likely giving the Spartans a slight advantage. It’s no surprise seeing this big of a game scheduled in the evening to avoid that.

On top of the game time announcement, where the game will be aired on TV was also announced. This is where the good news ends. The Spartans game against Washington will only be available for streaming on Peacock. That means Spartan fans at home will have to pay to watch this game. However, a simple Google search showed me that Peacock currently only costs $20 for the entire year. A lot of Big Ten football and basketball games will only be available on Peacock this season, so that may not be a bad investment to make right now if you can.

What would a win mean for Michigan State football?

Michigan State will have revenge on its mind in this game. Washington beat the Spartans last season in Seattle 39-28. The game however did not feel that close. Michigan State made a late comeback to make the final score look respectable, but a lot of fans will tell you we never really stood a chance.

Washington will likely be a top 10 heading into this matchup, so Michigan State has a great opportunity in front of it. A win would would help spring the Spartans into the conference season with a lot of positive momentum.