“I have a ton of respect for coach (Mark) Dantonio”. The Spartans did that, beating the Broncos, 37-24.
The Spartans defense will be put to the test next week with Oregon coming to town.
Facing Mariota’s successor this year, the Spartans are determined to make the tackles they couldn’t make last season.
While the Sooners are a flawless 6-0 SU and against the spread in their last six games during the month of September, they are just 2-7 versus the number in their past nine games against SEC opponents. Oregon also hosted ESPN 300 dual-threat quarterback Terry Wilson on an official visit and impressed him enough to flip his commitment from Nebraska to Oregon.
Western Michigan sophomore kick returner Darius Phillips was named Mid-American Conference West Division Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against No. 5 Michigan State. “I think he played pretty well, he’s a great athlete”, safety RJ Williamson said of Adams.
What was it like playing at Autzen for the home team?
“So we emphasized that the whole offseason, the losses to Oregon and Ohio State“.
The passing yards were the most Oregon had allowed since the 2013 season. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 in the nation and expect to make an early statement in the race for the playoffs.
The Ducks get Michigan State again in a top-10 matchup Saturday, but this time in East Lansing, Michigan.
Neither team, however, is totally confident in the way it played last week.
Taking on the challenge of Michigan State’s vaunted defense will be easier for Vernon Adams, at least emotionally, than going against his former teammates at Eastern Washington proved to be.
Three of Oregon’s starters at defensive back from last season have moved on: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Erick Dargan and Troy Hill.
“He definitely fits that offense really well”, Michigan State linebacker Darien Harris said.
“I finally got that game off my shoulders”, Adams said after Monday’s practice.
Mark Dantonio wasn’t happy with MSU’s defense in the second half.
“We gotta finish. We gotta finish”, Cook said. So, I think that creates some doubt sometimes. My opinion, most likely it is because of an injury of some sort. It was awesome and I appreciate all their support.
“If that means watching more film with the guys, staying after practice and getting more reps … just constantly emphasizing that and making that the focal point of the week – finishing”.
While Arizona State, Colorado, Stanford, Washington and Washington State might be looking for the reset button following their season openers, there was good news to be had for other Pac-12 programs, both on and off the field. The home team has won every game.