Top 5 Spartan Plays Of The Year (no particular order)

As 2010 comes to an end, I thought it would be a cool idea to list off some controversial Spartan plays, so here they are……

1. Korie Lucious- After leading Maryland the whole game, the tides turned when, do it everything guard, Kalin Lucas, suffered a torn achilles tendon late in the first half. In the second half, all american point guard, Grievas Vasquez, notched a floater over Raymar Morgan and it seemed to have put the nail in the coffin of Michigan State’s season. However, Korie Lucious had other ideas.

Problem #1: After Vasquez buried the shot, Draymond “Tragic Johnson” Green acted as the point guard and brought the ball down the court.

Problem # 2: When Draymond passed the ball to Mr. Lucious, Delvon Roe made a heads up play, ducking, to assure the ball would get to Korie clean.

Problem # 3: Sub in PG Korie Lucious had to shoot the ball on the run and assure he got the shot off in time.

2. Little Giants- The game was an 8 PM showdown between the Spartans and Irish and the game was an absolute shootout. The first half of the game ended in a 7-7 stalemate, but what was to come was truly amazing. In the second half each team scored 3 touchdowns and the game was forced into overtime.  In OT, Michigan State limited the fighting Irish to a field goal and would have the ball with the opportunity to win. However, Cousins was sacked on third down and Michigan State was forced to kick a field goal.

Problem- As a fan at the game, I honestly believed the Spartans would lose the game. Kicker Dan Conroy had been consistent all year, but a 46 yd field goal in OT, against the wind, seemed to be a big feat to accomplish. Not to mention the play clock had run out and the Spartans got out with their asses.

Conclusion- Holder Aaron Bates (a high school QB) rolled out to the right, Le’Veon Bell threw two Irish defenders to the ground and TE Charlie Gantt caught the game winning TD.

3. Mouse Trap- Throughout the entire game, The Northwestern Wildcats dominated the Spartans behind the feet of QB Dan Persa. Persa straight up pounded down the Spartan’s flat defense and finished the game with 3 rushing touchdowns. While Persa was impressive, his counterpart Kirk Cousins carved up the Wildcat defense for 329 yards and 3 touchdowns. This game would once again be won by the Giant Balls of Head Coach Mark Dantonio (in his first game back from his heart attack).

Conclusion- The game looked as if the Wildcats were going to pull off the upset until Mark Dantonio ran a play he called “Mouse Trap”. Mouse Trap was a designed fake punt and Spartan coaches insist after watching Wildcat film they knew there would be an opening on the outside. Cool, calm and collected Aaron Bates executed a perfect fake and threw a laser to RS freshman Bennie Fowler. Mouse Trap would eventually lead to a Mark Dell TD reception and after that play the Spartans won the game in a dominating manner.

4. Denicos Time- This was a game where the Spartans showed flashes of looking like SOS (Same Old Spartans). Purdue, one of the worst teams in the conference straight up walked into our house and hit us in the mouth. This was a game where everything went wrong. whether it was Captain Kirk’s pick six or Dan Conroys costly missed PAT, the Spartans came out extremely flat. Fortunately, Denicos Allen took a risk and damn, did it turn out to be a reward.

Conclusion- Denicos Allen’s blocked punt sets up Kirk Cousins game winning touchdowns as the Spartans pick up their first 10 win season since 1999.

5. Kalin Lucas Ballin- When it comes to Michigan basketball, there is only one day which holds any significance. That day is the annual basketball game vs RIVAL Michigan State….at Crisler. Michigan fans, all of a sudden, act attached to their team and the Wolverines usually perform at a rate way beyond their talent level. This game was no exception and for literally the entire game Michigan held a lead.

Conclusion- Kalin “TOO EASY” Lucas buries a mid range jumper with 5 seconds left to give the Spartans a 57-56 lead. On a heart stopping inbound alley-oop big man DeShawn Sims missed the lay in to seal the Spartan victory.

Why Michigan State Fans Are Just As Delusional As Wolverines

As a young child growing up in the state of Michigan, it was pretty difficult being a Michigan State fan. All throughout Elementary and Middle School, The Spartans found inspirational ways to blow games and quite frankly just flat out sucked. Growing up i had to deal with a lot of people like this….

SUPERMAN!!!!!

Yes i know, he obviously graduated with a degree from AA and is bound to show the world the “difference” he internalized during his glory years. Putting all jokes aside, what i plan to talk about today is how Michigan State fans are starting to make a mockery of themselves.

When i speak about my childhood and experience in the Paul Bunyan rivalry, four games come to mind.

1.  October 9, 1999: The number 3 wolverines came into Spartan Stadium in an epic dual with the #11 Spartans. The Wolverines were led by Tom Brady, Steve Hutchinson, Jeff Backus and Dhani Jones. The Spartans were led by Plaxico Burress, T.J. Duckett, Bill Burke and Paul Edinger. The Spartans were leading the Wolverines most of the game, Plaxico Burress had about 5000 receiving yards and Michigan coach Lloyd Carr made one of his biggest coaching mistakes of all time. Yes, he benched 3 time superbowl champion Thomas FLOBRO Brady and put in Drew “Slugger” Henson.

Result: Michigan fans blaming Brady’s benching as an excuse.

2. November 3rd, 2001: “Clockgate” shall go down as one of the greatest Spartan victories of all time. The #6 Michigan Wolverines came into Spartan Stadium looking for revenge on a prior away loss in 1999 and were led by stud linebacker Larry Foote and John Navarre. The Spartans were led by Jeff Smokin Smoker and T.J. Duckett. The Spartans trailed the Wolverines the entire ball game and with 17 seconds left Smoker rushed to the Wolverine 1 yard line. We all know how its ends…

Result: Spartans spike the ball, clock stops, Duckett catches game winning TD, Wolverines blame clock stopper, Wolvies still bitch to this day.

#3 October 30th, 2004: The Spartans marched into Ann Arbor and started whooping on the #11 Wolverines. Drew Stanchize Stanton was straight up embarrassing Michigan defenders and it looked as if the Spartans would pull of a victory. Unfortunatley, Lamarr Woodley knocked Stanton out of the game and Damon Dowdell decided to play like Dan Orlovsky.

Result: Wolverines come back from a 27-10 Spartan 4th quarter lead, Braylon breaks the all time record for embarrassing an entire football team and John L Smith all of a sudden looks like Marty Mornhinweg. Oh, but the torture is just beginning.

4. November 3rd, 2007: Yeah, Manningham pretty much owned us.

Result: Michigan fans last hoorah of bashing Michigan State, and the tides turning fast back in their face.

What im about to get at here isn’t what i call “revenge”, it is what i call “cowardish”. I guess what im trying to say is until this year, I didn’t believe bashing and making fun of Michigan caused any harm or foul. What i came to realize was the fact that many Michigan State fans are just plain stupid. Now look, Im as big of a slappy as any Spartan and this is coming from me. So here it is, I’m dishing it out. If you are going to bash the University of Michigan, you are going to have to be able to receive it. Now look, im not saying i believe Michigan will become the national powerhouse they claim to have been back in the day, but i am saying if they hire the right coach (possibly one from Palo Alto California) they could retain the momentum in our rivalry. So let me say this loud and clear for Spartan Nation, do not stoop to the level that Michigan has in years past. If you do, you better be ready, because we all know Michigan wont be gentle with us this time around.

(Note to Vinchenzo Duichard)

How will the Spartans finish off the 2011 Class?

Coming Into the 2010 college football season, the Michigan State Spartans were somewhat of an afterthought. After a phenomenal 2008 season in which the Spartans finished 9-4, 2009 was in a way a stumble. The difference between talent in 2008 and 2009 was slim, but the luck factor the spartans had in 2008 seemed to have vanished come 09. While the 2009 season was unsuccessful record wise, the Spartans still found a way to secure commitments from some real players (notables being Will Gholston, Max Bullough, Isaiah Lewis, Leveon Bell, Darqueeze Dennard, Skyler Schofner). When the 2011 recruiting scene broke out, MSU found a way to secure a MONSTER commitment  in All American, 5 Star Linebacker Lawrence Thomas. Thomas is highly regarded as the Number one prospect in the State of Michigan and is almost guaranteed to be the Big Ten’s highest rated recruit. While the Sparties have a number of quality commits, a reoccurring problem for the Dantonio Administration seems to be closing commitments around signing day. Many members of the Spartan Nation are praying for these prospects and inking some of these players could lead to increasing success.

One Player that everyone seems to be making a big deal about is Cornerback Doran Grant, out of Akron’s St Vincent’s Saint Marys. Grant is the highest rated prospect out of this school since Akron’s own Lebron James. Grant’s father Ted Jones once hailed for the Spartan faithful back in the day and many Green kool aid fans are convinced Doran will be the next great Spartan Corner. However, I am not as convinced and believe Grant could be inking with the Ohio State Buckeyes, from Americas toilet. Beckerleg’s Prediction- 45 %.

One prospect the Spartans certainly would love to have is massive OL prospect Aundrey Walker, out of football factory Cleveland Glenville. When a prospect comes from Glenville, it is widely known they most likely will be taking their talents to home town school, Ohio State. However, throughout Walker’s process he has stated how much he loves the Spartans and would love to possibly play there. While this is intriguing, don’t get too attached. Beckerleg’s prediction- 35 %

Beckerleg loves his seafood as much as the next guy and Darian Cooper could be a great addition out of the Crab-cake State. As Adam Chuchla would say “Maryland, Crab-cakes and Football”. jokes aside, Darian Cooper is a special talent who looks able to play inside (DT), or outside (DE). One perk the Spartan’s have with Dematha is the commitment of star LB Darien Harris. Harris and Cooper are known to be very good friends, and it could possibly help the Spartans down the road. IMO the two biggest players for Cooper’s services are the Spartans and Nitany Lions. Beckerleg’s Prediction- 50 %.

Considering Michigan hasn’t beaten Michigan State since 2008 should suggest the Spartans have the inside track at Michigan recruits, right? well, Anthony Zettel seems to think otherwise. I don’t know what the deal is, but i do know the kid has mad love for the Wolverines. One thing that could help the Spartans is the fact that the coaching situation in AA seems to be in question. However, i dont think Zettel could suit up for the Spartans due to a blurred childhood. Beckerleg’s Prediction- 20%

When it comes to family atmosphere, recruits always boast about the vibe they get from the Spartan family. Well, the spartans seem destined to invite family in for years to come. Fou Fonoti, OL Prospect out of Cerritos C.C. could be the next legacy at Michigan State. Fonoti just so happens to be cousins with the legendary Peko’s and this could help sway his decision the Green way. Beckerleg’s Prediction- 65 %

Some prospects would love to become Spartans, but are waiting to hear back from the coaching staff. DB Larry Franklin out of Florida is excited about becoming a Spartan and seems to have his heart set on East Lansing. However, with prospects like Doran Grant still out there, the Spartans are forced to wait to see who they can and can not sign. Beckerleg’s Prediction- 80 %.

Unknown Prospects- some unknown prospects right now seem to be players such as Brandon Clemons and Shilique Calhoun.

I am not sure how the Spartan’s will fare in the recruiting of some of these prospects, but I can guarentee the coaching staff will coach up whoever they recruit. See recruiting isn’t all about the rankings and the knowledge of a coaching staff can make average players into superstars. <<<< see Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and the 2010 Michigan State Spartans.

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