Bounce Back

In the words of Big Sean, “If you a real one, then you know how to bounce back”. That is exactly what the Spartans did last night in East Lansing with a gritty win over a tough but injured Iowa team. It seems like the bye week was used effectively as a lot of troubles from previous games were righted. Considering we went into the bye with all clouds, let’s take a look at this weeks updated weather report.

CLOUD 1: FINISHING A DRIVE

This can obviously be debated as me being a bit picky but even Chiles mentioned how it would have been nice to finish with some more touchdowns. I hope I’m not being greedy here as they improved immensely on ending drives with turnovers. As one of my friends mentioned in a text chain, “we are so fun to watch for the first 30 yards of a drive”. Imagine how much more fun it would be to score touchdowns on all those drives. One series did end due to a missed pass interference but there were still more opportunities to keep the drives alive.

CLOUD 2: THE BIG PLAY

State was lucky that the big play didn’t do them in. The 75 yard run by Johnson was a busted play that struck quick and added some unnecessary stress. If there is one complaint with the defense this game it’s giving up a big play. Those are typically game killers and thankfully the Spartan offense was able to respond.

CLOUD 3: PENALTIES

The Spartans were back to a bit of sloppy play, especially with the 15 yarders again. The face mask after the play, that is ridiculous and needs to stop happening. More than double the flags were thrown the green and white way and we can only expect even more of that next week in that environment because we know it’s always “little brother’s” fault.

SUN 1: THE TRENCHES

I have been tearing apart the offensive line for weeks and I know I’m not the only one out there doing so. We’ve mentioned the injuries, we’ve mentioned the tiered effect it has on other facets of the game. Last night we may have finally found the right combination of players on that line. I love that Smith and Michalczik took the bye week to find answers. The Iowa defense was expected to control the line and the running game and that surprisingly didn’t happen. On the other side of the ball the Spartan defensive line were holding blocks and giving the linebackers time to get down hill and make an impact, After getting run all over by Oregon they looked like they had something to prove last night and they did. They held Kaleb Johnson to 98 yards rushing. Which at first sight, seems like a lot. 75 of those yards came on one play that just broke. Both lines played extremely well and with a fairly one dimensional offense on the schedule next week, the d line should be salivating.

SUN 2: JONATHAN KIM

Twenty points scored by the kicker last night. My is it nice to feel confident when State sends out the kicking team. Kim was dialed in as he set the MSU record for field goals in a game with six. Even Chiles knows what the team has saying, ”When we get past the 50 there’s points on the board”. It seems the college game and even the pros to an extent are shaky in the kicking game but the Spartans can calm down, if they are in range, Kim is practically automatic.

SUN 3: CHILES AND THE AUDIBLES

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the game Chiles had. The fans, and myself included, have been tough on him and rightly so. Chiles looked good when he was settled in the pocket and his footwork was working. 22/30 for 256 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. That is a good looking stat line, especially with the completion percentage. Chiles seemed to make the right call almost every play he decided to keep the ball and run. Iowa was attacking the run and they had no answer for the Chiles keeps and his 51 yards. Then there was the audible to Marsh that set up the one yard Carter TD. That was a beautiful call in which he saw the coverage and took advantage. It is great seeing that confidence and the staff’s confidence in allowing him to make those calls. The improved accuracy is something we’ll all have our eyes on moving forward. One extra piece on Chiles, the block he threw on the end around fired me up. I love seeing a team effort and that was a big one right there.

SUN 4: RUN GAME SWAGGER

Finally the run game came out swinging. They helped establish a lot of second and shorts which allows the play book to open up more. Carter and Adams were running with force and attitude. Adams was tough to get down and pounding his fist in the air after fighting for extra yards. This is what we’ve all been waiting for all season. The attitude. The aggression and intention to knock the defender back and make that extra move. I’m sure the line adjustments contributed to this but it was nice seeing the grit in the backs.

WINDY: THE CROWD

I know the first half was nothing but field goals but the homecoming crowd was too quiet, seemed a bit tired and there were a good number of empty seats. We have got to get louder out there. If the scheduling Gods are going to force all these night games, then we need to be a loud Spartan Stadium and show the primetime viewers that State is where it’s at. Haller has mentioned that the number of night games this year is excessive and while we will still have around 5, it shouldn’t be as much as this year. Regardless of game time, we gotta be louder!

4-3 as we head down the road next week. Let’s hope for a tunnel revenge game.