Spartans falter again

A. Isaac Senior Editor

Im not sure I can convey how disappointed I was in yesterday’s game. It was one of the most disappointing games in recent memory. Some will say that the ND game was much worse but I will counter that the game was more devastating than anything else. And in the back of our minds, we knew what kind of coach Jonelle was. We knew he was capable of that.

Mark Dantonio on the other hand, well, this was a suprise.

We wanted him to erase the blunders that had become the norm in East Lansing. We wanted him to win the games he was supposed to win. We wanted him to restore the program.

And in his first real test, he failed.

Offensively, the team was firing on all cylinders, that is until Don Treadwell did his best Dave Baldwin impression. His play-calling in the 4th quarter and OT was comical. Javon Ringer, who had torched Northwestern in the previous three quarters only touched the ball once after the 11 min mark.

When Northwestern missed a fg with under 3 min left, MSU got the ball back and could have ran the ball to get into field goal range. Instead, Devin Thomas ran the ball for five yards and then Treadwell called 3 straight passing plays.

Altogether, the last 7 plays from scrimmage were passing plays.

Truly embarrassing.

Defensively, this was the worst Spartan performance since Randle-El ran all over us at Spartan Stadium. They let CJ Bacher throw for over 500 yards and 5 tds. Let me repeat that, they let CJ Bacher throw for over 500 yards and 5 tds.

Who the hell is CJ Bacher?

The blame here falls on Narduzzi. Blitzes did not get home and the soft zone allowed Northwestern to pick up first down after first down on 3rd and long.

The defensive backs were poor but many times, they werent in a position to make plays.

Again, that falls on Narduzzi. He needs to watch what Ohio State did to Purdue and mimic their every movement. That is how you beat a spread offense. Waiting for them to make a mistake is too passive.

Oh yea, and by the way, the special teams play was complete garbage. A blocked punt and extra point in the same game? Good teams dont let that happen.

And let me clarify myself concerning Dantonio. I like him, I think he is a good fit for the program. However, that doesnt excuse his performance or lack thereof yesterday.

I still have faith in Dantonio but that shine from the first four wins rubbed off real quick.

Next week is the biggest game of his career. Lose, and the Spartans will not make a bowl this year.

And then the demons of past Spartan years will haunt him forever.

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