Gopher Football
Michigan State Backfield vs. Minnesota Linebackers
Entering 2004, the Spartan quarterback situation was a mess. No one had been chosen to replace Jeff Smoker; in fact, the race was between three players: sophomore Drew Stanton, redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves, and senior Damon Dowdell. After Stanton suffered a knee injury, both Reaves and Dowdell saw playing time, neither to much success. Stanton, now healthy, has proven to be the one answer for head coach John L. Smith and the Spartans at quarterback. In his last start against Illinois, Stanton completed an amazing 75% of his passes for nearly 200 yards. 11 different receivers caught a pass, and three went for touchdowns. Stanton is also a threat to run the ball, averaging over 70 yards per game rushing. He has also rushed for 4 touchdowns, and against Illinois caught an 18 yard touchdown pass. With only 3 good games under his belt, he is still a little raw, but has the talent to improve drastically with each game he plays.
The Spartans also host a stable of backs capable of carrying the load for the offense. 4 players including Stanton have over 200 yards rushing this season, including Jason Teague, Jehuu Caulcrick, and DeAndrea Cobb. Cobb has his most solid outing of the season last week, notching 96 yards and a touchdown. Teague made more noise in the beginning of the season, rolling off 152 yards in the first two games.
On the Gopher defensive side, linebackers Dominique Sims, Terrance Campbell, and Kyle McKenzie, each of whom recorded 10 or more tackles in last weeks loss to Michigan, will have their hands full when they face their first true rushing quarterback of the season. Keeping a spy on Stanton as well as doing a better job covering the underneath receiver (whether it be a tight end or running back) will be key in the Gopher defensive game. Containing the draw play will be crucial as well, as Michigan’s Michael Hart was able to exploit the middle of the field far too often.
Summary:
The Gophers have the speed at linebacker to help slow down a good running game; whether or not they will be able to shut down a two dimensional quarterback has yet to be seen. With so many options available to Drew Stanton, the Gophers will need their best linebacking performance of the season to contain the Spartan running game.
Advantage: Michigan State
Michigan State O-Line vs. Minnesota D-Line
The Spartan offensive line has been as good as they have had to be, surrendering just 5 sacks over 6 games. This is a complete turnaround from last season, when the Spartans gave up 32 sacks over the course of the season. The line is big (averaging 6’4″ and 306 pounds) and has provided quarterback Drew Stanton with enough time to make the decisions he needs to make to lead the football team. There must be some concern, however, since the only breathing defensive front the Spartans have faced all season, Notre Dame, held them to just 165 yards on 35 carries and more importantly, held Michigan State to one late rushing touchdown.
For the Gophers, many fans have been on the defense to start getting more pressure on the quarterback. This is not the game to expect to start seeing that. Though the Gopher defensive front has gotten to the quarterback a total of 9 times this year, they have often been caught in the wrong place to defend a screen or draw play. Senior end Darrell Reid, the outspoken and emotional leader of the defense, will try to improve upon his last game in which he was virtually off the score sheet, recording only 4 tackles.
Summary:
While fans of Minnesota football have yet to see vastly improved pressure on the quarterback from their defensive linemen, their play has been adequate through 6 games this year. Facing a big Michigan State front in front of a mobile quarterback could present the Gophers with their biggest challenge thus far, but they should be up to the task.
Advantage: Minnesota
Michigan State Receivers vs. Minnesota Secondary
The Michigan State receivers have given meaning to the term “œspread offense”. 13 different players have caught a pass for the Spartans this season, including 6 receivers with over 100 yards so far. Big Matt Trannon (6’6″, 217) will present a problem for the Gopher secondary, as will speedy Jerramy Scott and Terry Love. Because of the Spartans ability to catch passes downfield (9 Spartans have a receiving average of over 10 yards per catch), the play of Minnesota’s safeties will be key. Surprisingly, however, no Spartan has more than one receiving touchdown all season, a trend which the Gophers hope to continue this Saturday.
Minnesota’s secondary will hope to continue their stellar play against a team which has thrown 6 interceptions this season. So far, the Gophers have 9 interceptions, 5 by starting cornerbacks Ukee Dozier and Trumaine Banks. Though Minnesota has given up a staggering 281.2 yards per game through the air, they have only yielded 8 passing touchdowns. Safeties Justin Fraley and John Pawielski, each with one interception this season, will have to be leaders on defense in both deep pass coverage and cheating up to stop the running game.
As with the linebackers, Michigan State could give Minnesota one of its toughest tests of the season in the secondary. From draw plays to big plays, it will be up to the secondary to contain the Spartans from breaking open the game with long passes and lengthy runs. Considering last year’s game, this one could go either way depending on whether or not the Gophers are focused. They will probably come out shaky, but will recover to slow down the Spartan passing game.
Advantage: Even