MI State started three freshman defensive backs in Saturday’s 39-38 loss at Nebraska, and if the 14th-ranked Spartans are going to work their way back into the playoff picture, they’re going to need to overcome problems that have been evident for a while.
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The Maryland rushing attack is averaging 176.2 yards per game, including a pair of performances that exceeded 240 yards in two of its last four games. The only reviewable aspect was whether the contact took place – not if Edmondson had forced the receiver out.
“Under no circumstances are we washed up, out of town”, Dantonio added. The Terps are just 1-5 all-time against the Spartans in a series that dates back to 1944, with their lone win coming in the last meeting at Spartan Stadium on October 7, 1950. We kept believing. Being down two scores with four minutes left, we saw guys leaving the stands. Yes, Iowa would have won the Big Ten West and would be 12-1 in this hypothetical, but MI State would be 11-1 in that hypothetical and its loss would have come earlier in the slate…and if MSU played OSU closer than Iowa, this all could have led to MI State being ranked higher in the final CFP Poll than Iowa, thus the Rose was sending the signals they would have taken the Spartans. “I think they’re going to get our best effort on Saturday, and we’re looking forward to it”.
“Disappointing the way it worked out at the end, of course, and it shouldn’t have, I guess”.
The Spartans got a final chance, but Connor Cook passed out of bounds from the Nebraska 41 as time ran out.
Nebraska’s sideline cleared, a season full of pent-up frustration playing out with players and coaches at midfield dancing as the music blared.
But don’t expect to hear a debate inside the locker rooms. The Huskers kept partying on the field.
“I don’t know if you call it justice or not, ” first-year Nebraska coach Mike Riley said when asked if the Huskers were due for a break. “The kids earned this win tonight”.
Scouting the passing game: Nebraska ability to run the football is crucial to the passing game’s success. Those things are so haunting. “I really feel that this could be the nucleus for a team that could contend for a Big Ten Championship, and that they have to continue to prepare, give the effort of that type of team, and as I told the seniors, this is their legacy”. That defeat had similar ramifications as the loss to Nebraska.
No. 5 Iowa hosts Minnesota in the biggest game of the week at 8 p.m. ET on BTN (watch on BTN2Go). Gerald Holmes broke out for two long runs and you see (receivers) Macgarrett Kings and RJ Shelton stepping up, so it’s not just Burb out there. The MI Wolverines ground game is averaging 171.8 yards per contest, and De’Veon Smith leads the way with 524 yards and five touchdowns.
MI State ended up at the Outback Bowl against Georgia, and rallied in the second half to beat the Bulldogs in overtime on a blocked field goal. Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. was 19-of-33 for 320 yards and was not sacked by the Spartans defense. Cook was brilliant on third down going 8-for-11, including two touchdowns.
Besides this brief distraction it was the Connor Cook show. A few 16 penalties were called on Texas, one of them being a questionable defensive holding call. The Spartans still control their destiny in the East. If they win out, they will be in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title tilt.
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MI State is the latest tough opponent for Maryland during a grueling season in the Big Ten East division.
