The 2013 football season is halfway over for MSU (5-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten), and things appear to be looking up for the Spartans heading into tomorrow’s matchup with Purdue (1-5, 0-2). Since its season opener reminded everyone another dismal season wasn’t out of the question, MSU has reshaped its image and emerged as a Legends Division favorite. Sophomore Connor Cook has taken the reins at quarterback and his supporting cast has improved each game while getting multiple players involved. Here are the most notable players and events from the season’s first half.
Best game: MSU vs Iowa
MSU beat Iowa 26-14 on the road
This was the game where everything came together.
Cook played his best game to that point, and the offense proved it can compliment a championship-caliber defense rather than waste it. MSU had to face adversity on the road and respond once the Hawkeyes rallied just before halftime, and it did. It started the Big Ten season on a positive note for a team that needed early confidence. Plus, there was “Hey Diddle Diddle, Send Sadler Up The Middle.”
Offensive MVP: Blake Treadwell
Senior guard
No, that’s not a misprint. It’s easy to go with Cook because of the spark he’s given a once lifeless offense, but my gut won’t let me because of the quarterback carousel the first two games.
I do think Cook has played very well so far even though it hasn’t always been pretty. He simply moves the ball and gets it done. Treadwell has been the best and most consistent performer on MSU’s best offensive unit: the O-line.
Runner-up: Sophomore quarterback Connor Cook
Defensive MVP: Shilique Calhoun
Sophomore defensive end
Valid arguments probably could be made for about four or five players here considering the Spartan defense’s dominance throughout the first half. I’m going with Calhoun because he kept this team afloat when the offense couldn’t pull its own weight.
Calhoun’s three defensive touchdowns in the first two games were big plays at critical times for an MSU team yet to find its identity. His three fumble recoveries, three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss lead or ties the team lead in all categories.
Runner-up: Senior cornerback Darqueze Dennard
Most improved: Bennie Fowler
Senior wide receiver
After a mediocre 2012 campaign, this season began frighteningly similar for Fowler. In the first few weeks he struggled to hang onto the ball and eventually was replaced in the starting lineup. Fowler has rebounded and come on strong the past two weeks, however, giving MSU’s passing game a major boost.
With 126 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns in his last two games, Fowler is starting to look like the playmaker the Spartans were hoping for with the toughest part of the schedule approaching.
Runner-up: Junior running back Jeremy Langford
Best quote: Dave Warner
Co-offensive coordinator/running backs coach
“We’re not blind, we’re not ignorant; we know we got some issues that we’re trying to deal for. But we’re not in a panic mode.”
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