Michigan State vs Oregon: 5 players who deserve the game ball
Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs for a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Spartans beat the Ducks 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State‘s week two victory over Oregon was one of the more impressive wins in the Mark Dantonio era not just because it was over a top-10 opponent, but also because the Spartans controlled the pace of the game throughout, not letting the Ducks get comfortable.
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Many believed the Michigan State vs Oregon game would be dominated on the offensive side of the ball only, but the Spartans controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and didn’t allow Vernon Adams to be comfortable in the pocket, for the most part.
Adams was touted as a speedy scrambler with the likes of his predecessor, Marcus Mariota, but the Spartans’ front-seven kept him in check, not letting him break a big run all game long. In fact, he had just six yards rushing on 14 carries with a short touchdown scamper — his longest run on the day was only eight yards.
Dantonio out-dueled Mark Helfrich and it seemed like the Spartans came ready to play while the Ducks had a very slim playbook in pace filled with short screen passes and option runs.
A handful of players stood out for Michigan State in the big home win over Oregon and you could say these players earned their ‘pride stickers’ or as some would say, the game ball.
Sure, pride stickers haven’t been awarded since the John L. Smith era, but let’s take a look at which players would see their helmets add another tally following their solid play on Saturday night in East Lansing.
Here are the five players who earned the game ball on Saturday night.
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