It’s even more imperative for Nicholson to step his game up with the unfortunate injury to RJ Williamson. He has missed the last two games and could be looking to prove something.
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Calhoun has never been shy about his affinity for Rutgers, but he’ll look to finish 2-0 against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, about 26 miles from his hometown of Middletown. This season, Michigan State will play five teams both home and away in conference action (Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers and Wisconsin).
“New Jersey’s a very active recruiting area”, said Dantonio, who has assistants Mike Tressel and Mark Snyder split a state that previously was combed by former defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. We were on the defensive staff together. So that’ll be the mental makeup of who we are and what we do. It was his first career 100-yard rushing game. Dantonio said. “That’s how you’re ultimately measured”. It doesn’t get much bigger than this. “Because he’s been so underrated and under-respected, he wants to gain respect from his coaches and that was kind of how I was when I came in here”. It also provided opportunity for redshirt freshman David Beadle and fifth-year senior Brandon Clemons. “But who is counting”, Dantonio said. “But that’s a positive as well because we have probably one, two, probably three guys that can play multiple positions across the offensive line and they have experience doing it”. They finished the job, with or without style points.
“We’re always trying to do everything we can to play flawless, but it’s not a flawless game”, Dantonio said.
“At the end of the deal, if you win, I don’t care how you get there”.
“The bottom line is you need to win”, he said Tuesday. He has Rutgers atop the Big Ten in passing efficiency. The sophomore has been fairly accurate completing 72-of-100 passes thus far for 794 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.
The fourth-ranked Spartans (1-0, Big Ten) have been outscored 73-50 in the second half, after owning the first half 107-31.
Ryan Okerstrom: MSU finds itself on the road for the first time since the opening game at Western Michigan.
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio talks about facing Rutgers on the road.
Line: Spartans by 14 1/2. Rutgers isn’t a big threat but then again neither was Purdue going into the game. The Boilermakers’ latest loss, however, was a tight one at then-No. With Carroo off suspension and coming back, the Rutgers passing attack that cranked up 200 yards or more in every game is supposed to work. But the injuries have been mounting in the secondary and Rutgers is averaging 226 yards a game through the air. The problem is when they pass. The opposition has recorded 18 sacks. He came back to make a 30-yarder but is just 4-for-7 on the season.
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-LT Jack Conklin (No. 4 tackle, No. 23 overall) – The junior did not play against Purdue after injuring his left knee the week before against Central Michigan. The Spartans are coming off of a lackluster performance against Purdue which resulted in yet another close win for MSU.
