Here I am writing about college football again. This means I am writing about Michigan again. It is 6:25 pm here in Chicagoland, 7:25 pm in Ann Arbor. The kick-off between the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans is less than twenty minutes from now. Two weeks ago, the powers that make such decisions decided to make this a night, prime time, game.
I was supposed to be there. The plan was to go to the game with my son and my grandson. It would have been the first time that all three of us went to a Michigan game together. It was to have been my grandson’s first time in Michigan Stadium. Though my grandson has been to Michigan games at Maryland, he was looking forward to his first Michigan game in Michigan and his first game with me.
Alas, it was not to be. Circumstances forced them to cancel their trip to Detroit. Plan B was for my wife and I to attend the game. That was not to be either as a different set of circumstances forced us to have to stay home. Plan C? I sold my tickets on stub and with the kickoff imminent, I am planted in front of the TV in my family room.
Mel Tucker is the Michigan State coach. In his third season, he has beat Michigan twice. The Spartans this year are 3-4. They have struggled offensively but have had injuries. This may be the healthiest they have been all season. Both teams had a bye last week and I am sure both teams are rested and took advantage of the time to meticulously prepare for this great in-state rivalry.
We are at the 2:20 mark of the 1st quarter and Michigan just kicked a field goal to make it 3-0. Michigan got to the 4-yard line on a 28 yard pass play to Donavan Edwards out of the backfield. As the announcers mentioned, Michigan has had trouble scoring touchdowns in the red zone and have had to settle for field goals.
Michigan State took the kick-off after the Michigan field goal and drove down the field in six plays to score a touchdown. The used a hurry-up offense to put Michigan’s defense on their heels and had two big pass plays. This drive is exactly why this game has me on edge.
The armchair quarterback in me thinks Michigan probably should unleash our quarterback J.J. McCarthy and let him run and throw more to put the Spartan defense on their heels.
Michigan had a great drive, 80 yards in 8 plays, and just scored a touchdown to take a 10-7 with 12:20 left in the 2nd Quarter.
Let’s see if our defense has made any adjustments.
I would say no. We four plays and Michigan State is in the red zone. They are hitting pass plays for over twenty yards a pop too easily. They are exposing the Michigan defense. But… State went for it on 4th down at the Michigan 5 because the field goal kicking is unpredictable. Michigan stopped them and took over. State had Michigan stopped with 4th and 3 to go at the Michigan State 38. Michigan went for it and McCarthy kept it and got the 22 for a first down. With 1:08 left in the half, Michigan settled for a field goal from the line of scrimmage at the 5 yard line: Michigan 13 – Michigan State 7.
Michigan State mounted a spirited two-minute drive. Michigan forced Michigan State to punt but an offsides penalty by Michigan brought Michigan States offense back onto the field. The half ended with the score 13-7. Michigan gets the kick-off in the 3rd quarter.
Michigan took the 2nd half kickoff and drove into Michigan State territory to the 21 yard line. With 3rd and 10 at the 21, Michigan had to settle for a field goal making the score 16-7. It was good to get a score, but dang Michigan has to work improve on converting more touchdowns than field goals. They need that in this game and certainly will need it against Ohio State.
Michigan State went three and out on their first possession of the 2nd half. Michigan defended their two pass attempts very well. State got five yards on 2nd down.
Michigan took the punt and in two plays drove to the Michigan State 28. They then had three runs for a total of 3 yards and had to settle for another field goal making the score 19-7 with just under 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Corum has 135 yards rushing on 22 carries.
The Michigan defense forced another 3 and out. A high snap almost went over the punter’s reach and as a result of a shorter punt, Michigan took over on their own 37. Michigan drove into Michigan State territory again as the 3rd quarter ended. Michigan State only had the ball for 8 plays for 8 yards of total offense vs 138 yards for Michigan. Michigan State held Michigan and forced another field goal. This was a long one, the longest attempt in Jake Moody’s career. He nailed the 54 yarder and made the score 22-7.
Michigan held Michigan State to another 3 and out. The hike was again very high. The punter really had to reach to catch it and was tackled on his own 7 yard line. On two running plays from Corum, Michigan finally scored their second touchdown. With the conversion, Michigan took a 29-7 lead.
There is 8:56 left in the game. Michigan has the ball on their own 28. At this point of the half, Michigan State has -1 yards in offense. Michigan has over 160. There is now 6:05 left in the game and Michigan is punting for the first time in the game.
Michigan State was driving and looked like they might score. Rod Moore intercepted Payton Thorne pass at the 5 yard line that he returned 41 yards to seal the game. Rather than put in the second string, Michigan kept their first string in. Rather than run the ball to kill the clock, they tried a few long passes to perhaps add an insult touchdown. I am not for that. We are better than that.
But it was a satisfying and another dominant win. It is time to have the beer I have been chilling in the fridge since start of the game.
Go Blue!
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