Michigan State Football: Back to shocking the masses
By Ian Olsen
After a big win over No. 7 Michigan over the weekend, it’s clear that Michigan State football is back to shocking the masses.
Thank you to all the Mark Dantonio doubters – to ESPN for giving Michigan State an 11 percent chance of beating Michigan Saturday. To the self-proclaimed media experts labeling Dantonio’s decade of success a momentary run ended by one disastrous season. To the pundits doubting whether Michigan State would ever be relevant again.
The Spartans are underdogs again.
While the team’s 14-10 win Saturday may rightfully be considered a defining moment for Michigan State, it’s more so a confirmation of the powerhouse program Dantonio has already redefined.
Three plays embodied stark differences between this season’s team and last year’s 3-9 dumpster fire.
In the first quarter, middle linebacker Joe Bachie got popped by an unseen blocker, and Michigan running back Ty Isaac reached the Spartan secondary. But Bachie persisted by absorbing the blow and joining his teammates in a gang tackle before ripping the ball from Isaac to kill the drive. Like most of his teammates, Bachie was not heavily recruited, but all that mattered in that pivotal moment was his determination to strip the ball and overpower the former top-50 recruit.
In the second quarter, Michigan tight end Sean McKeon caught a pass and seemed to have a 25-yard gain. But on McKeon’s way down, and with the play seemingly over, defensive back Justin Layne hustled from behind to crash into the ball and produce another game-changing fumble.
Desperate for a first down with two minutes remaining, quarterback Brian Lewerke dropped the snap in the wind and drenching rain. With the ball bouncing on the wet field, any coach would plead with the quarterback to jump on the ball and end the dangerous situation. Though falling on the ball would’ve been the wisest choice, Lewerke’s decision embodied his whatever-it-takes mentality. The sophomore corralled the ball off its second bounce, sidestepped a Wolverine defender, and rolled over his teammate to earn a crucial first down.
After its unsightly 2016 season, Michigan State now has the honor of proving its doubters wrong yet again. But even if he returns Michigan State to winning more Big Ten Championships and New Year’s Six bowls, Dantonio will never let his team abandon its underdog mentality.
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As he promised in 2007, Dantonio shattered Michigan’s pride once again. Ten seasons and eight wins over Michigan later since that legendary interview, Dantonio’s sentiment regarding the bitter rivalry remains – “it’s only just begun.”