Iowalaw's Thoughts After Rewatching the MSU Game

[iowalaw]

Like many of you, I was in Indy and got to feel the heartbreak first hand of MSU's killer 4th quarter drive that derailed our dream season. After rewatching the game, here is my objective take on the game. Fire away! lol

1. CJB absolutely outplayed 1st team all conference Connor Cook. Granted, Dantonio made clear that Cook was playing injured, but then again so was CJ. It just would have been nice if we opened up the playbook a bit more for CJ. One run (1st quarter), and only a couple shots down the field. We did not open it up until the 2nd half. CJ was on the money on most of his throws and we didn't allow him to win the game for us (nor did our OL).

2. Roughing the punter penalty was HUGE. Our d stopped them cold, and we would have got great field position. Not one, but two of our guys (bo bower and someone else) dove right into the punter. Come on, this late in the season, that's unacceptable mental errors.

3. Bizarre - we have the top CB in the Big 10 in King, yet King was playing the weak side of the field all game. MSU would have two wide receivers on one side of the field and none on the other, and King would be playing on the side with no one running a route. Why are we leaving our lesser DBs out to dry and letting them get picked on? King should have been on their stud WR Burbridge all game. Not in on run support.

4. Old Kirk never left. We were driving in the 1st quarter, knowing it was to be a tough, low scoring game. We had 4th and an inch near mid field. We go with the ultra conservative punt. We lost by 3 pts. Could that have been the reason? Oh and by the way, Kidd absolutely screwed the pooch this game. Embarrassing punting by a senior who is capable of so much more. Rather than a patented CJ sneak for 1 yard, we punted 20 yards.

5. Miles Taylor and crew laid some huge its on MSU. But i have to hand it to MSU, their guys are tough as nails. They held on the ball and bounced off our hits.

6. Enough is enough with Daniels. I get that he doesn't fumble, but he also doesnt gain more than 2 or 3 yards. Wadley DOES! Why don't we give Akrum the ball already. Very disappointing.

7. Speaking of RBs, Mitchell saw the most pt of any RB. Strange, when he's our 4th string guy and rarely saw the field during the season. Why was he our feature back all of a sudden when we get to the championship game? I just don't get switching like that for this game. Not that he didn't play well. Just strange move.

8. Everyone loves to slurp on Brian Ferentz as OL coach...but our OL got owned again today. Our tackles looked like high schoolers trying to block college kids and poor CJ took way too many hits as a result. How does OL University start a couple of walkon 2 star young kids at tackle? They played to the best of their ability, but a stud tackle was much needed. Also, no holes created up the middle for our RBs. We had what, 50 yards all game?

9. Boy oh boy Ott was missed. What a difference he would have made in this game. Fingers crossed that we see him again in a hawk uni.

10. Overall, it was clear that our guys were nervous and MSU's kids played like they have been there before. We dropped way more passes this game than usual, Kidd was shanking, and our defense was just missing where normally they would have picked up passes, stripped the ball (MSU's late td run any other game would have been stripped, but we whiffed). I think the better team won, but Iowa is no doubt a top 5 team this year. I can't wait for the rose bowl to dominate some pac ten pansies.

 

[jpphawk]

2 positives out of this whole post? You'd think we got blown out.

 

[WildTurk]

You sound like a butthurt baby. Blah

 

[mlb1399]

This game came down to a war of attrition. Michigan State wore us down and we hurt our cause by turning the ball over 3 times(not counting the last second fumble, counting the running into the kicker). Our defense held them in check all game but you can't expect them to hold up after being on the field for 37 minutes with 9 of those being in a row.

 

[yerpHAWK]

1. Agreed. I thought CJ was more of a game manager who made some plays, but we needed him, and he showed up.

2.. Yep, D was gassed, needed every 3 and out we could get.

3. King often doesn't line up on the best guy.

4. I thought we should have went for it as well, but I think it actually ended up pretty well for us, pinned em, and got a field goal next possession.

5. Yep, big boy football.

6. He is a change of pace, but I agree he should not get the bulk.

7. We came in trying to pass. DMX is our best receiving back.

8. Running wasn't the focus.

9. Yep. We've struggled getting pressure on the QB this year.

10. Don't think we were nervous at all. Responded to the 1st turnover well. Didn't let them pull away, and the 85 yard bomb was one of the coolest things ever.

 

[93hawkeye]

MSU's lines outplayed ours, and their running backs finished their runs strong. Overall, the margin between the two teams as a whole was tiny, exactly why the score was so close. We came close to stealing a win when our O had only 1 big play in the whole 2nd half.
MSU's final drive proved to me they deserved to win; they are a better team than the Hawks, but by the slimmest of margins

 

[ThatsMrSpartan2U]

Like many of you, I was in Indy and got to feel the heartbreak first hand of MSU's killer 4th quarter drive that derailed our dream season. After rewatching the game, here is my objective take on the game. Fire away! lol

1. CJB absolutely outplayed 1st team all conference Connor Cook. Granted, Dantonio made clear that Cook was playing injured, but then again so was CJ. It just would have been nice if we opened up the playbook a bit more for CJ. One run (1st quarter), and only a couple shots down the field. We did not open it up until the 2nd half. CJ was on the money on most of his throws and we didn't allow him to win the game for us (nor did our OL).

2. Roughing the punter penalty was HUGE. Our d stopped them cold, and we would have got great field position. Not one, but two of our guys (bo bower and someone else) dove right into the punter. Come on, this late in the season, that's unacceptable mental errors.

3. Bizarre - we have the top CB in the Big 10 in King, yet King was playing the weak side of the field all game. MSU would have two wide receivers on one side of the field and none on the other, and King would be playing on the side with no one running a route. Why are we leaving our lesser DBs out to dry and letting them get picked on? King should have been on their stud WR Burbridge all game. Not in on run support.

4. Old Kirk never left. We were driving in the 1st quarter, knowing it was to be a tough, low scoring game. We had 4th and an inch near mid field. We go with the ultra conservative punt. We lost by 3 pts. Could that have been the reason? Oh and by the way, Kidd absolutely screwed the pooch this game. Embarrassing punting by a senior who is capable of so much more. Rather than a patented CJ sneak for 1 yard, we punted 20 yards.

5. Miles Taylor and crew laid some huge its on MSU. But i have to hand it to MSU, their guys are tough as nails. They held on the ball and bounced off our hits.

6. Enough is enough with Daniels. I get that he doesn't fumble, but he also doesnt gain more than 2 or 3 yards. Wadley DOES! Why don't we give Akrum the ball already. Very disappointing.

7. Speaking of RBs, Mitchell saw the most pt of any RB. Strange, when he's our 4th string guy and rarely saw the field during the season. Why was he our feature back all of a sudden when we get to the championship game? I just don't get switching like that for this game. Not that he didn't play well. Just strange move.

8. Everyone loves to slurp on Brian Ferentz as OL coach...but our OL got owned again today. Our tackles looked like high schoolers trying to block college kids and poor CJ took way too many hits as a result. How does OL University start a couple of walkon 2 star young kids at tackle? They played to the best of their ability, but a stud tackle was much needed. Also, no holes created up the middle for our RBs. We had what, 50 yards all game?

9. Boy oh boy Ott was missed. What a difference he would have made in this game. Fingers crossed that we see him again in a hawk uni.

10. Overall, it was clear that our guys were nervous and MSU's kids played like they have been there before. We dropped way more passes this game than usual, Kidd was shanking, and our defense was just missing where normally they would have picked up passes, stripped the ball (MSU's late td run any other game would have been stripped, but we whiffed). I think the better team won, but Iowa is no doubt a top 5 team this year. I can't wait for the rose bowl to dominate some pac ten pansies.

I just watched the replay too. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

What I don't get is how everyone is sort of ignoring the play LJ. Scott on that final drive. Even as a Spartan he took my breath away. He's had some very good spurts this year but he got the ball 17 times.....17 TIMES....in that final drive. That game was pretty much dead even between those two teams. You guys were clearly better in several and MSU in some others. But Scott was the absolute tie breaker. I can't remember a RB pulling that kind of duty (who has 22 play drives anywhere, anytime any more?) at any level of FB in my life.

Scott was the MVP. Every Spartan should bow down in praise of that kid. He was the difference. No doubt about it.

 

[ZumaHawk]

Criticize, criticize, criticize.

 

[Trevor4Iowa]

I agree "old Kirk never left". We should have opened it up with more downfield passing and less predictability when things are tight.

I'm proud of the team, but at all times out offense HAS TO play to win.

 

[greenelite]

Hard to argue with much that was said by OP, but that's football. Wadley definitely deserved more run.

 

[RocknRollface]

The oline thing is frustrating.

We've put what 5 first round left tackles in the pros and yet we don't have a scholorship player there. Its pretty fricken ridiculous.

 

[sford07]

I would agree with the LJ Scott reference to being the mvp. He gave a spartan like effort in that final drive. Hell of a player.

 

[HawkeyeDenny]

HawkeyeDenny thoughts to this post....wah, wah, wah, do you really have to put your screen name in as the Subject...lol?? maybe MSU is really good and that cancels a lot of these points...?? about the only thing I totally agree on is Daniels must go with Wadley and Mitchell next year doing the work....we just took the possible National Champion to the last minute in a classic slugfest and came up just short...be happy that Iowa had a season to remember and Capt Kirk made changes at his age and can now ride off into the sunset finishing out his contract...

 

[revkev73]

I thought Iowa's tight ends could be the huge advantage but they ended up coughing up two balls that were huge. Sure, they were hit...but those were critical.

Talent won out in the end on the long, sustained drive.

More passing, some roll outs, a bootleg or two...would have helped.

It was there...to be taken...

 

[HaydenHawk8]

I think Iowa was going to go for that first 4th down, but MSU alignment worried Iowa. Iowa tried getting them off sides and we jumped.

Iowa made a lot of mental mistakes last night. Tevaun running down the field and instead of attempting to catch the ball, he puts his arm out trying to get a PI call??

It was a great atmosphere and a great game.

 

[anon_8rcdnbko1jbe0]

I thought Iowa's tight ends could be the huge advantage but they ended up coughing up two balls that were huge. Sure, they were hit...but those were critical.

Talent won out in the end on the long, sustained drive.

More passing, some roll outs, a bootleg or two...would have helped.

It was there...to be taken...

It was taken- but not put away. 1 of 4 plays that could have been finished would have done the job.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I would agree, Iowa had a few mental mistakes in this game that costed them. They also just didn't make the big play when we needed it and some breaks went against them. It happens, its called football.

To think our defense was on the field for 20+ minutes the 2nd half and still were only a foot away from stopping MSU, that speaks to how good this defense is. They are tough unit, who will get healthy and better before the Rose Bowl.

 

[hwk23]

The oline thing is frustrating.

We've put what 5 first round left tackles in the pros and yet we don't have a scholorship player there. Its pretty fricken ridiculous.

It's pretty ironic that maybe the best Ferentz team ever has such weakness at tackle. This team would have been unbeatable with a Scherff, Bulaga, Reiff or Gallery.

 

[hwk23]

I just watched the replay too. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

What I don't get is how everyone is sort of ignoring the play LJ. Scott on that final drive. Even as a Spartan he took my breath away. He's had some very good spurts this year but he got the ball 17 times.....17 TIMES....in that final drive. That game was pretty much dead even between those two teams. You guys were clearly better in several and MSU in some others. But Scott was the absolute tie breaker. I can't remember a RB pulling that kind of duty (who has 22 play drives anywhere, anytime any more?) at any level of FB in my life.

Scott was the MVP. Every Spartan should bow down in praise of that kid. He was the difference. No doubt about it.

No doubt Scott played great and won the game for Sparty. I wish we would have done that and kept every play in CJ Beathard's hands, either running or passing, the 2nd half and especially the 2nd to last drive. He was having success. That 9:04 and 22 play drive was killer. Even if we had 2 minutes left probably decent chances.

 

[Forgery5]

Losing Canzeri was huge, clearly our best back and would have made the difference. CJs pass in the end zone was a little late and high, good play by Sparty. Would have liked to see the TEs down the field more, just seemed like we missed a good matchup. Thought the defense was outstanding all night, best performance of the year.
This is the difference between 2/3 star athletes and having 4 star guys. MSU was just a little more athletic and deeper than Iowa. They just seemed to have a few more specialty players than we did and that seemed like the difference in stopping and making all those 3rd downs.
With that being said, I couldn't be prouder of this team and I hope they finish it off in the Rose Bowl!!

 

[revkev73]

My thought most of the last 1/4 was...it is there...just reach out and grab it...one play, one big play...

MSU Iowad Iowa...with a long, sustained, clock eating drive where Iowa's offense stood helplessly on the sidelines...

 

[slugar]

What an awesome year we had. Congrats hawks!

 

[hwk23]

My thought most of the last 1/4 was...it is there...just reach out and grab it...one play, one big play...

MSU Iowad Iowa...with a long, sustained, clock eating drive where Iowa's offense stood helplessly on the sidelines...

Me too. I was actually waiting for Cook to throw an int. Trouble is they never passed. Also, I thought CJ would lead us on a drive but never got the chance.

 

[ChosenChildren]

The 2 turnovers cost us a minimum of 6 points. That was the true difference

 

[coolrockt21]

I just watched the replay too. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

What I don't get is how everyone is sort of ignoring the play LJ. Scott on that final drive. Even as a Spartan he took my breath away. He's had some very good spurts this year but he got the ball 17 times.....17 TIMES....in that final drive. That game was pretty much dead even between those two teams. You guys were clearly better in several and MSU in some others. But Scott was the absolute tie breaker. I can't remember a RB pulling that kind of duty (who has 22 play drives anywhere, anytime any more?) at any level of FB in my life.

Scott was the MVP. Every Spartan should bow down in praise of that kid. He was the difference. No doubt about it.

Disagree. The MSU Oline won that game - no offense to Scott. As the momentum was built and the IA defense stayed on the field longer and longer, MSU could have run Pendelton 4 times from the 3 yard line and scored (eventually) with the push the Oline was getting. There is always too much emphasis placed on the contribution of the RB backs - the Oline drives the running game. It is the RB's job not to screw it up.

 

[ThatsMrSpartan2U]

Not trying to argue but watch that last drive. You guys popped Scott several times and he bounced, twisted and dragged guys for extra yds almost every carry. Some would say you're poor tacklers, but you're not. Iowa was the best tackling team this Spartan thought we faced all year. Scott was just a beast on that last series. Scott just wasn't going down on the 1st hit. You guys were there and this kid just wouldn't be denied. Wasn't coaching. Wasn't technique. LJ Scott just was unbelievable that last series.

 

[luvmyhawks]

Not trying to argue but watch that last drive. You guys popped Scott several times and he bounced, twisted and dragged guys for extra yds almost every carry. Some would say you're poor tacklers, but you're not. Iowa was the best tackling team this Spartan thought we faced all year. Scott was just a beast on that last series. Scott just wasn't going down on the 1st hit. You guys were there and this kid just wouldn't be denied. Wasn't coaching. Wasn't technique. LJ Scott just was unbelievable that last series.

Quite frankly, as upset as I was with the loss, it made it much easier to accept to just realize that MSU just played extremely hard and didn't quit. The 4th down, the td, the int in the end zone, your team just didn't quit on any of those plays. Heck, they didn't quit on any play. Kudos to MSU for that and that is the reason they won last night.

 

[MAXIMUSHAWKEYE]

Good points OP. I was disapointed that we didn't roll CJ out with the option to pass or RUN. But I bet that he's been hurting more than we will ever know. He has really been a gutsy performer. Wadley I think will be a huge performer for us the next 2 years.Especially if he can catch the ball out of the backfield.
I really dislike Dantonio,but I rather see them in the NC than OSU. I really rather see anyone than them. It was a classic slobber knocker BIG game.

 

[coolrockt21]

Not trying to argue but watch that last drive. You guys popped Scott several times and he bounced, twisted and dragged guys for extra yds almost every carry. Some would say you're poor tacklers, but you're not. Iowa was the best tackling team this Spartan thought we faced all year. Scott was just a beast on that last series. Scott just wasn't going down on the 1st hit. You guys were there and this kid just wouldn't be denied. Wasn't coaching. Wasn't technique. LJ Scott just was unbelievable that last series.

1) I am an MSU fan 2) I get that you like LJ.

 

[GolfHacker1]

The attorney that works for someone else actually has some good points this time. Old Kirk never left, and given what we are, that is the best possible scenario.

The play, and player of the game is the MSU player that took an intention PI penalty. Cook couldn't throw sideline patterns. The 9 minute drive would have killed them if not for the heads up intentional PI penalty.

Having said that, I'm not clear why we didn't throw and run at their obvious defensive weakness more often.

 

[revkev73]

Under duress...we tend to go back to our default settings...which seems to be what KF and staff did...at least in part...

 

[Packer54]

For what it's worth we threw more than we ran. Our running game was stuffed and our pass protection for the most part was not too solid. Two turnovers we had costing us points were a fumble after a completed pass and the dropped pass turning into an interception in the end zone. Yes I would have liked to have seen a shot or two down the field earlier in the game but other than than we were not sitting on the ball. I watched a replay last nite and that confirmed it for me. Someone else mentioned it but the defensive holding saved MSU. Bandy had him dead to rights.

 

[revkev73]

Iowa's defense...over achieved

Iowa's offense...under achieved

Iowa's coaches...disappointed in play calling

MSU was the better team, IMHO...but it was there for the taking

Agree...play of the game was the smart move by MSU...holding...saving a touchdown and the outcome.

Had Iowa held on to win...the play of the game would have been the recovered CJ fumble by the o-lineman...

 

[David1979]

Lost the turnover battle and lost the game but what is surprising is losing the turnover battle and still were that close to winning the game against MSU. That shows you how good the team is and that is why they got the Rose Bowl invite. I don't know how people can complain about that game. Both teams played their butts off. There is a reason their defense completely dominated OSU, it's because they are damn good so people complaining about Iowa's oline are being a bit ridiculous.

 

[Herky the Uruk-hai]

Iowa should have given help to the left tackle on passing downs, he was clearly outclassed by a very talented player. All the other things that happen is what I would have expected from a quality match up between two quality teams. The difference I believe was the targeting hit in the end zone that was not called. Reply showed that the helmet to helmet contact was there - significant enough that the receiver dropped the ball - should have been called - if Iowa scores there they would have won the game.

 

[FlintTown]

Iowa's defense...over achieved

Iowa's offense...under achieved

Iowa's coaches...disappointed in play calling

MSU was the better team, IMHO...but it was there for the taking

Agree...play of the game was the smart move by MSU...holding...saving a touchdown and the outcome.

Had Iowa held on to win...the play of the game would have been the recovered CJ fumble by the o-lineman...

Good observation. No one talks about that fumble Iowa recovered before the half. Huge play.

 

[David1979]

Iowa should have given help to the left tackle on passing downs, he was clearly outclassed by a very talented player. All the other things that happen is what I would have expected from a quality match up between two quality teams. The difference I believe was the targeting hit in the end zone that was not called. Reply showed that the helmet to helmet contact was there - significant enough that the receiver dropped the ball - should have been called - if Iowa scores there they would have won the game.

First thing i thought on that hit was targeting and I don't know how the refs missed that one.

 

[Lone Clone]

First thing i thought on that hit was targeting and I don't know how the refs missed that one.

The commentators mentioned it, said the kid led with his shoulder. If I had been a Hawk fan, I would have thought targeting should have been called; as a semi-objective viewer, I thought it could have been called or not. Just one of those things. Obviously, it was a big play.

I also saw a couple of what I thought were obvious pass interference penalties that weren't called on both sides......which makes me think I don't know what criteria were being used.

 

[iowalaw]

If CJ is healthy for the bowl game, I want to see a LOT more boot legs, play action, sneaks, and deep balls. Stanford is very much like MSU...except with a better RB. It will be a very physical game.

 

[TankHawk]

Tankhawk thought it was a tremendous game between two outstanding teams that could have gone either way but MSU had just a little bit more at the end. Tankhawk is extremely proud of the Hawkeye's effort in every game this year but especially in the B1G championship game. Now Tankhawk is looking forward to seeing Iowa hoisting a Rose Bowl trophy after swarming across the field in the Grand daddy of all bowl games.