Michigan St Confident After Beating Michigan Again

The Spartans ended up sharing the Big Ten title, while the Wolverines stumbled down the stretch.

Michigan State hopes its 28-14 victory over Michigan on Saturday will have the same effect, while the Wolverines insist this season is different.

"It's easy to say, 'Oh, it's the same Michigan team of the last two years' — but I have no doubt in my mind that we're not," Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs said. "We're going to improve. We're to learn from this game. We're going to win."

The Spartans moved up to No. 15 in the AP poll on Sunday, while Michigan dropped to 18th. Michigan State, which took over sole possession of first place in the Big Ten's Legends Division with its victory Saturday, won't have much of a chance to rest. The Spartans host No. 4 Wisconsin next Saturday night.

The Wolverines, on the other hand, have an open date next weekend before beginning the stretch run with a home game against Purdue.

Michigan State beat Michigan for the fourth straight time, equaling its longest streak in the series. Last year, the teams were undefeated when they met in October. The Spartans went on to lose only once during the regular season, while Michigan went 7-5, was blown out in its bowl and fired coach Rich Rodriguez.

This is the third straight season the Wolverines were undefeated before losing to Michigan State.

"It's very special, and I feel like we as a team and we as individuals have been overlooked and underestimated for a large part of our careers," Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "Wins like this are very satisfying for that reason."

Michigan State beat Wisconsin at home last season — the only regular-season loss for the Badgers, who went to the Rose Bowl anyway because of a Big Ten tiebreaker. The Spartans had to settle for a Capital One Bowl berth and were blown out by Alabama.

Although Michigan State dropped an early game this season to Notre Dame, the Spartans look every bit as capable as last season's team. They are ranked No. 2 in the country in total defense.

"We just want to win on Saturday, that's all that matters," defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said. "All that defense stuff — stats, you guys know how I feel about stats — it doesn't matter. That win right there, that's the most important thing."

Wisconsin is averaging 50.2 points per game, the best mark in the nation.

Michigan's defense is improved from last season, when it was clearly a liability. The Wolverines had a chance to tie Saturday's game in the fourth quarter, but Denard Robinson was sacked on fourth down deep in Michigan State territory.

Robinson was kept in check by the Spartans throughout the day and eventually left the game in the final minutes after a hit. He'll have an extra week to recover now.

Although another loss to Michigan State stung, the Wolverines will ultimately be judged on how they finish. They host Nebraska and Ohio State to end the regular season next month.

"I know that we have great leadership on this team, including myself," Michigan senior defensive tackle Mike Martin said. "We have a bye week coming up and I know guys are going to be hungry. ... These seniors and these leaders are going to get this team right."

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No. 23 Michigan State 28, No. 11 Michigan 14: Michigan State Tops Michigan Again

"A clean sweep!" Worthy yelled.

In his four years with the Spartans, Worthy has never lost to Michigan. He and the rest of Michigan State's defensive line helped extend that run Saturday, shutting down Denard Robinson and the 11th-ranked Wolverines in a 28-14 victory.

The 23rd-ranked Spartans have won four straight against Michigan for the first time since 1959-62, equaling Michigan State's longest streak in the series.

"For the rest of our life, we can walk the streets of Michigan," quarterback Kirk Cousins said.

Cousins, a fifth-year senior, is the first Michigan State starting quarterback to win three straight over Michigan.

Keshawn Martin scored twice in the third quarter on similar lunges to the end zone, and Michigan State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) held off Robinson and the Wolverines during a wild fourth quarter.

Michigan (6-1, 2-1) lost for the first time under coach Brady Hoke. The Wolverines had a chance to tie it, but Robinson was sacked on fourth-and-1 from the Michigan State 9-yard line with 6:16 to play.

Robinson later threw an interception, and Isaiah Lewis returned it 39 yards for a touchdown with 4:31 left to make it 28-14. Shortly after that, Robinson was shaken up by a hit and left the game.

Edwin Baker ran for 167 yards and a touchdown for the Spartans.

"It's a big win, a program win," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "To do that a fourth straight year says a lot about our players."

Michigan State took the field in special green-and-bronze Nike Pro Combat uniforms. In a surprise move, Michigan showed up in "legacy" uniforms by Adidas that included pants that were white instead of the usual maize.

The Wolverines haven't beaten the Spartans since 2007, when then-Michigan running back Mike Hart compared Michigan State to a "little brother" and Dantonio shot back by saying the Wolverines needed "to check themselves." Dantonio said after that game that "pride comes before the fall" — and now it's Michigan State enjoying the spoils of victory in this series, keeping the Paul Bunyan Trophy from its in-state foe.

Worthy, a standout defensive tackle, is a redshirt junior. He has a tattoo displaying a Spartan stomping on a Wolverine.

"We're always fighting for respect," Worthy said. "I feel even better about getting that tattoo now."

The Spartans, who tied for the Big Ten title last year, are now alone atop the Legends Division with a big home game against Wisconsin coming up next weekend.

This week, Michigan State was coming off an open date. Michigan has one next weekend.

"They need to feel this one," Hoke said. "We all need to feel this one for a while. But we'll turn the page."

Robinson ran for a first-quarter touchdown but was mostly ineffective through the air, going 9 for 24 for 123 yards and a touchdown on a windy day in East Lansing.

Down 21-7, Robinson found Roy Roundtree for a 34-yard touchdown with 9:49 left in the game. Martin then fumbled on an end around, giving Michigan the ball at the Michigan State 32.

After converting fourth-and-1 from the 23 with a short run, Robinson faced the same down and distance from the 9. Michigan called a slow-developing play-action attempt, and Johnny Adams sacked Robinson to end the drive.

After Michigan got the ball back, Robinson's pass was intercepted by Lewis, who took it back for a touchdown. Lewis risked a penalty by holding the ball out before crossing the goal line, but the touchdown stood.

The Spartans didn't always handle the emotionally charged game well, committing 13 penalties for 124 yards.

Robinson's day ended late in the fourth when he was thrown down by Marcus Rush, who was called for roughing the passer. The Michigan quarterback stood on the sideline, green grass stains all over his uniform, as the Spartans finished off another win over the Wolverines.

"I got a little beat up," Robinson said.

Hoke said he didn't know what the injury was. Robinson said it was not a concussion.

With the game tied at 7, Michigan State went on a 54-yard drive to start the third quarter. On third-and-goal from the 10, Cousins found Martin, who caught the ball at the 5 near the right sideline and managed to stay in bounds before extending the ball across the goal line while being knocked backward toward the end zone.

Martin caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Cousins in the final minute of the third, dodging a tackler and diving to that same front corner of the end zone.

Michigan State entered the game ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense, and its defensive line gave Robinson problems all day.

Each team scored on its first possession of the game. Robinson gave Michigan a 7-0 lead with a 15-yard run, and the Spartans answered with a 63-yard drive that ended with Baker's 1-yard scoring run.

Devin Gardner tried to rally Michigan after Robinson departed late in the fourth. He had a touchdown pass called back because he was well past the line of scrimmage when he threw the ball. On fourth-and-21 from the Michigan State 44, Gardner began running to the right sideline, then doubled back to the middle of the field, then circled back again to the same sideline before being stopped. Gardner had a receiver open deep down the field toward the end of the play but either couldn't see him or couldn't get rid of the ball.

NOTES: Andrew Johnson, a 19-year-old Michigan State sophomore, won a 2012 GMC Acadia valued at over $32,000 by kicking a 40-yard field goal as part of an in-game contest. The wind appeared to switch directions — in his favor — when he attempted the kick. ... Michigan State's previous four-game winning streak in the series was part of a 6-0-2 stretch against Michigan from 1956-63.

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Namath Rips the Jets Again; Says Holmes Shouldn’t Have Spoken

Former Jets QB and Hall of Famer Joe Namath took aim at the Jets again yesterday, but this time he ripped Santonio Holmes, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and the offensive line instead of coach Rex Ryan.

Holmes said Sunday: “It starts up front with the big guys. They’ve got to do a better job of protecting Mark, and Mark has to do a better job of making reads and getting the ball to where he needs to, so his playmakers can make plays.”

“That was a mistake, it surely was,” Namath said on 1050 ESPN Radio. “For Holmes, as a captain, to go outside, to the media, and start pointing fingers. . . . I mean, he’s right about the ball getting out late to him [on Sanchez's third-quarter interception], and he’s right about the offensive line, but that can create a problem in the locker room. . . . That divisiveness can bury a team. They’ve got to correct that right away.”

“I’m not sure what’s going on there,” Namath said. “We picked some poor players and we’re not owning up to it. That’s what it amounts to. You’ve got guys on the roster who have been picked and you keep trying to say, ‘OK, they’re going to work out.’ Well, guess what? We tried that with [Vernon] Gholston and it didn’t work out.

“You have to [say], ‘Hey, I made a bad pick, a bad selection,’ and move on. The Jets didn’t do that and it’s a little late for the season to get it righted.”

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Maybe Favre was really saying good-bye (again)

All things must come to an end, and Brett Favre’s postgame press conference Monday night might have been the moment when all of the factors surrounding the end of his career converged, signaling it is really over.

At one point during the 15-minute session, Favre was asked point-blank if he would ever play again.

“I won’t play again if I can’t feel my hand,” Favre said. “I think it would be foolish to even consider playing if you don’t have total feeling in five fingers.”

Favre said he will undergo further tests on Tuesday to examine his sprained SC joint, which he believes has contributed to the numbness in his right hand, a problem he said goes back several weeks to the game against Washington. Favre didn’t rule out playing again, but at no point did he even suggest he could return during the team’s final three games, either.

Ultimately, it will be Favre’s call. But the words he chose were filled with resignation to the fact he likely won’t play again.

“I’ve played through a lot of stuff,” Favre said. “I think this is something different that I’ve got to be more cautious of.

“Whether [the streak] ended today, in several weeks, end of last season, it’s been a great run. A great run. So, I’m very proud of it. You know, there’s nothing left to be … not that there was anything to prove anyway. I think it is a very difficult thing to do. I realize that more so now because it seems like I’ve been hurt a lot worse. I can’t believe that something like this hasn’t happened before. Pretty amazing. … I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Favre didn’t deliver a tearful, full-fledged eulogy over his 20-year career, but he gave the sense in talking about the end of his consecutive games streak he’s already in a place where he’s looking back.

“I’ve had several people in passing say, ‘You know, I hate for the streak to end like this.’ End like what? It’s been a great run. I will not hang my head one bit because it ended today. I think about, as a kid, goals, dreams … I far exceeded all those that I had. I never dreamed of playing 300-plus straight games. I just dreamed of playing in the NFL. It’s been pretty amazing.”

Yes, pretty amazing. With The Streak over and its place in history cemented, maybe for the first time, all over again, Favre was really saying he’s played his final NFL game. In many ways, he sounded like he’s already moved on.

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Post Mortem: Can it be Brady again?

Did Week 14 seem to overpromise some great weather games and then underdeliver? Like “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.” And the only weather game we got was a blowout. But it was the start of the fantasy playoffs for most of you, so let’s search through the wreckage.

Fantasy player of the week
Patriots QB Tom Brady again? Absolutely. The Patriots could certainly have been in store for a letdown coming off a huge win over the rival Jets, and traveling to play the — what we thought were — tough Bears. Battling through the snow was not a surprise; Brady has done it before. But Brady made one of the best teams in the NFC look ridiculous at home in the process. Again, to reiterate, Brady is a must-start fantasy quarterback and the only QB I would start over Brady is Eagles QB Michael Vick.

By the numbers
Seventy-two. That was the point total of my running backs, Michael Turner and Darren McFadden, for my team, the Benson Burner. The only problem — my squad was on a bye week. Not that it was really a problem. Some of you likely had huge performances from your guys on a bye for the playoffs, but one of our video producers/editors put it best: just pretend you were playing this week and that you won. That will not make it any easier if they struggle next week, but it helps right now.

Not to brag, but Andre Johnson also had a huge week for me on the bye. Can I just carry that over? This team is looking at a 50-point performance next week, right?

Thank you for stopping by
Broncos QB Kyle Orton, hate to tell you this, but Cardinals kicker Jay Feely had more touchdowns than you. That late-season swoon for Orton is happening, and not even a great matchup against the Cardinals can stop it. Orton might have got you to the playoffs, but if you played him this week, you are likely out.

Rule changes that need to happen
Should kickers be banned in fantasy football? I have long advocated banishing kickers, because you just cannot predict what they are going to do. But watching Feely score that fluke touchdown to give those gift points has me changing my mind. We might need to review this over the offseason.

Rule change that should never happen
Team quarterbacks. Don’t do it.

Best player nobody was playing
San Francisco QB Alex Smith led all fantasy football signal callers in points on Sunday. Maybe that will be enough for the 49ers to hold on to him next season. And really, do we have to credit the genius of coach Mike Singletary for making the move at quarterback? He was the only one with the stones to start Smith.

Worst player nearly everybody was playing
Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe couldn’t go scoreless again could he? Oh boy.

You just made the list, buddy
Cardinals RB Beanie Wells has surprisingly never made the list. But it has become clear that he is not going to make a fantasy impact this season. And to be honest, there is a chance he might not ever be able to make one.

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Post mortem: A lineman again makes an impact

Poor Chargers QB Philip Rivers, four touchdowns and nobody is going to bother to notice. Not after Eagles QB Michael Vick set the bar so high. At least he’s in the mix for Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino‘s single-season passing record.

But let’s look at the fantasy highlights.

Fantasy Superstar

Raiders DE Richard Seymour made the play of the week when he decked Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Like the Redskins defensive backs who taunted Eagles WR DeSean Jackson, this unsportsmanlike conduct seemed to further inspire the Steelers. So much so, that Roethlisberger was still throwing the ball in the waning moments. Big Ben’s toss to Isaac Redman came after the two-minute warning with the Steelers holding a commanding lead.

Not that fantasy enthusiasts are complaining. In fact, more teams should use this approach. Remember, one of the NFL playoff tiebreakers is net points.

Best player nobody was playing

Colts QB Peyton Manning continues to make stars of unknown players. Undrafted rookie WR Blair White had a pair of touchdowns. White was started in less than 1 percent of leagues. And even fewer in leagues outside of East Lansing, Mich. White could be a solid play if WR Austin Collie is held out because of concussion symptoms.

Worst player that everybody was playing

This is rather amazing, but Texans WR Andre Johnson was started in 83 percent fantasy leagues on NFL.com. (Not the 100 percent as I previously mentioned. I believe that I was merely wishing 100 percent of us had started him.) Still, with 83 percent of us starting Dre this week, I certainly don’t feel as bad about the next entry.

By the numbers

93 – That is the combined score (in my league’s scoring) of the guys I benched: Roethlisberger, Bills WR Stevie Johnson and Bengals RB Cedric Benson. And my team is named the Benson Burner.

24 – The points from the guys I started ahead of them: Vick, Dre, and Raiders RB Darren McFadden.

Here’s why you should heed your own advice and follow your gut.

When did you become so good?

Remember when Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe was on the verge of being labeled a bust? Me neither.

Who are you, and why are you impacting my team?

There are a number of high-profile quarterbacks putting up huge fantasy numbers this season. Vick, Roethlisberger, and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers are a few of the signal callers who have been fantasy gold. Not to mention the old reliable guys like Peyton Manning and Saints QB Drew Brees. Even Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been solid.

But while the highs are soaring, the league is also putting out guys like Panthers QB Brian St. Pierre and Dolphins QB Tyler Thigpen — the Rooster, for whom I still have a soft spot. And now QB Rusty Smith will likely start for the Titans this week with Vince Young on IR and Kerry Collins a week or two away.

And I joked about it on Sunday, but I would almost consider starting Smith against the Texans this week. However, you would have to be in a pretty dire situation.

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Redskins RB Williams could start again

Published: November 18th, 2010 | | Tags: Clinton Portis, Ryan Torain, Keiland Williams

A report on TBD.com suggests that Ryan Torain (hamstring) “doesn’t appear likely” to play in Week 11. He was unable to practice on Thursday.

With Clinton Portis (groin) also at less than 100 percent, it looks like Keliand Williams is destined to see a featured role against the Titans. He’s coming off a huge performance against the Eagles, posting 31.90 fantasy points on NFL.com, so he’s a viable flex option in most leagues against the Titans.

A free agent in close to 95 percent of NFL.com leagues, Williams should be a hot name on the waiver wire.

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Injury roundup: Stafford’s shoulder an issue again

Published: November 7th, 2010 | | Tags: Matt Moore, David Diehl, Bill Belichick, Roscoe Parrish, Sean Payton, Jonathan Stewart, Lovie Smith, Jeremy Shockey, Dan Connor, Andy Reid, Julius Peppers, Roddy White, Max Jean-Gilles, Jason Hanson, Jim Schwartz, Darren Sharper, Austin Collie, Darnell Dockett, Matthew Stafford, Malcolm Jenkins, Kerry Rhodes, Cliff Avril, Tyrone Culver, Kenny Iwebema, Todd McClure, Steve Gregory, Ryan Mathews, Rolando McClain, Nate Allen, Chris Ivory, Week 9 injuries 2010, Steven Gostkowski, Tyvon Branch, Tyrell Sutton, Adam Koets

A quick recap at some of the notable injuries around the league in Week 9:

Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said QB Matthew Stafford was “very sore” after injuring his right shoulder in overtime against the Jets, but had no other update on the severity of the injury. Stafford missed five games this season after separating the same shoulder. The Lions also lost K Jason Hanson (right knee) and DE Cliff Avril (leg) to injuries.The Panthers had a host of serious injuries, as QB Matt Moore (shoulder), RB Jonathan Stewart (head), MLB Dan Connor (hip) and RB Tyrell Sutton (ankle) left and were unable to return against the Saints.Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett was sidelined during the second half against the Vikings with what the Arizona Republic later reported as a shoulder “stringer.” Dockett did return. The Cardinals lost DE Kenny Iwebema to a right knee injury, and FS Kerry Rhodes reportedly re-aggravated a left hand injury. Rhodes was also able to return.Falcons WR Roddy White suffered a right knee injury during the first quarter against the Bucs, but was able to return during the second half wearing a knee brace. Falcons starting C Todd McClure also left with a knee injury but also returned.The Saints lost TE Jeremy Shockey (ribs), FS Darren Sharper (hamstring) and RB Chris Ivory (shoulder) against the Panthers. Saints coach Sean Payton didn’t have any updates following the game, but did say Shockey was taken to the hospital as a “precautionary measure”  and X-rays were negative. The Times Picayune also reported S Malcolm Jenkins suffered a shoulder stinger but expects to be fine.Dolphins S Tyrone Culver left with an ankle injury against the Ravens and didn’t return.The Chargers lost RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) and SS Steve Gregory (shoulder) against the Texans.Patriots K Steven Gostkowski was sidelined by a thigh injury against the Browns. Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Gostkowski would be re-evaluated on Monday.Bears coach Lovie Smith said DE Julius Peppers, who left the field with an injury late during the fourth quarter, was expected to be fine, per The Associated Press.Bills WR Rosoe Parrish suffered a wrist injury against the Bears and told The AP he would undergo tests on Monday.Two starting linemen for the Giants — LT David Diehl and C Adam Koets – left with injuries. Koets suffered a sprained left knee during the fourth quarter, while Diehl left with a hip injury during the third quarter. Neither returned. The Giants said X-rays on Diehl were negative.Eagles RG Max Jean-Gilles (concussion) and FS Nate Allen (neck/back) suffered injuries against the Colts and didn’t return. Eagles coach Andy Reid said Allen suffered a neck strain and will have an MRI exam on Monday.The Colts announced WR Austin Collie suffered a concussion as the result of a violent hit during the against the Eagles.The Raiders played the second half and overtime against the Chiefs without MLB Rolando McClain (hip) and SS Tyvon Branch (concussion).Posted in: News  

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