Few believed MSU’s defense could contain Denard Robinson, Michigan’s quarterback and Heisman Trophy frontrunner, until Saturday, to the same 86 rushing yards he had in 2010.
So to prove their worth as the No. 1 defense in the country, the Spartans — dressed in their green, black and bronze Nike Pro Combat uniforms — did one better. They held Robinson, who averaged 303.8 yards per game, to 9-for-24 passing and 42 rushing yards, sealing a 28-14 victory with a 39-yard interception touchdown by sophomore safety Isaiah Lewis.
The 42 rushing yards and 37.5 completion percentage were both career-lows for Robinson.
“We’re not going to let one guy beat us,” senior safety and captain Trenton Robinson said after the game. “If they’re going to attempt to beat us, they’re going to have to do different things than that.”
The previously No. 11 ranked Wolverines had no other options.
Head coach Brady Hoke tried to get backup quarterback Devin Gardner into a rhythm, but the MSU defense was too well-prepared. Gardner’s six carries totaled minus-15 yards, and he only managed three completions.
“Our will, our effort and our pride,” said sophomore linebacker Denicos Allen about how the defense was able to click.
“We have a pride on this defense that no one runs on us, and we just do whatever it takes, do whatever we have to do to keep that going. No one runs on us.”
Allen, who was credited for 1.5 sacks and two tackles for a loss, celebrated the team’s fourth consecutive victory over their “Big Brother” by snatching up Sparty’s block “S” flag and strutting around the field. He said listening to the sellout crowd of 77,515 — the 64th consecutive sellout in the series — was unforgettable.
After Saturday’s victory, in which MSU allowed more penalty yards (124) than Denard Robinson passing yards (123), the Spartans’ defense remains atop the Big Ten in almost all defensive categories.
MSU ranks first in the Big Ten in total yards allowed per game, passing yards per game (186.2), and rushing yards per game (67) and second in average points allowed (10.8) and sacks (21), but MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi stressed numbers are meaningless to him.
“I don’t care,” Narduzzi said Saturday.
“We just want to win. … That’s all that matters.”
Allen shared the same sentiments as his assistant coach.
“We really don’t care about (anything) but winning,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what you do unless you win.”
Narduzzi said he was proudest of the team’s ability to step up on big plays.
On 4th-and-1 at the MSU 9 — with a chance for Michigan to tie the game at 21 — junior cornerback Johnny Adams blitzed off the left side and sacked Denard Robinson for a turnover on downs.
The following drive Robinson threw an interception.
Junior defensive tackle Jerel Worthy said Robinson’s mistakes were the result of the defense’s pressure getting to him.
“We try to get as many hits on the quarterback as possible,” he said.
“When you can put fear in the quarterback’s eyes, you can cause picks like (Denard Robinson threw) late in the game to Isaiah (Lewis) and, you know, we got (him) rattled.”
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In the past two games, MSU is plus-16 in terms of sacks on opposing quarterbacks and sacks allowed. After a nine-sack day against Ohio State, the Spartans recorded seven against Michigan.
Sophomore safety Isaiah Lewis, whose interception touchdown was the final score of the game, had only a single word for what his defense has done thus far: dominated.
“We’re always going after them,” Lewis said. “We’re always dominating. I’m going to keep saying that. Domination. We just dominate teams, and we’re going to keep on doing that for the rest of the season.”
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