When Michigan visited East Lansing in 1999 and lost 34-31, quarterback John Navarre was in street clothes, cheering for his teammates on the sidelines.
At the time he was an unheralded redshirt freshman who didn’t pose a threat to opponents - he didn’t play a single game all year.
But come Saturday, MSU’s defense plans on giving Navarre plenty of attention since he’s developed into one of the Big Ten’s most prolific passers.
Through seven games, Navarre is averaging 227-yards passing a game and is completing about 57 percent of his attempts.
And as a stationary type of passer who has the ability to surprise tacklers with his athleticism, Navarre will be a major concern for the Spartans, senior defensive tackle Josh Shaw said.
“He’s more of a traditional pocket passer,” Shaw said. “He’s got great movement in the pocket. He never really leaves the pocket but can maneuver himself around there and elude tacklers. We are going to have to come at him.”
The key for MSU’s defense will be to apply pressure to Navarre and try to hurry his throws - especially the ones in the direction of receiver Marquise Walker, who averages a conference-leading seven receptions a game.
With his size (6-foot-3) and his speed, Walker is a threat every time he’s on the field, MSU defensive coordinator Bill Miller said.
“He’s the real deal, an outstanding receiver,” Miller said. “But he’s not the only guy out there in that receiving corps. I think they really have a whole set of good ones, and their tight ends are all good players.”
MSU’s may have key losses on defense - especially after losing sophomore cornerback Tyrell Dortch to a broken leg Saturday at Wisconsin - but Navarre said he expects the Spartans to be ready for his every move.
The Wolverines have many weapons, but Navarre said the Spartans’ personnel is just as talented to match it.
“They’ve had a lot of injuries, but they’ll be ready to go on Saturday regardless of who is in there,” Navarre said in a statement.
“Whoever is in there will do a good job, so we’re not trying to make matchups off of their injuries.”
U-M tight end Shawn Thompson said Navarre provides plenty of intangibles to the Wolverines offense.
“He’s a leader in the huddle and on the field and you feel comfortable having him as a leader,” Thompson said in a statement.
“His leadership, he’s very good about getting us together and that gives us a sense of being together. It makes us feel like we can do anything.”
Although there have been problems keeping MSU’s secondary in the lineup, its defensive line has stayed healthy, and even more importantly, productive.
Senior linebacker Josh Thornhill has anchored the Spartans attack during their first six games. He has 67 tackles on the year, including seven for losses.
And his explosiveness off the ball will be counted on to help make key plays.
“We know what we have to do,” Thornhill said.
“I myself have to step along with my teammates. We can’t take any breaks out on the field, we really can’t afford to against a team like this.”
