MSU is quick to admit that its rivalry matchup against Michigan this Saturday isn’t just another game on a 12-game schedule. It goes far beyond that.
Prior to MSU’s conference game against Iowa on Saturday, the Spartans turned the ball over eight times — six fumbles and two interceptions.
The Spartans know it. The Wolverines know it. The entire state of Michigan knows it.
It’s only four games into the season, but under the microscope of a wanting fan base, the Spartan faithful has already made its impression on the man under center, quarterback Brian Lewerke. MSU fans have seen the good, there’s no denying that. His chemistry with Felton Davis III against Iowa was easily apparent. Other times, he’s scrambling for long gains on the ground.
Entering the 2017 season, wide receiver Felton Davis III had played a minimal role in the Spartans’ offense in his first two seasons in East Lansing. After several key departures over the past two seasons at the wideout position, Davis finally saw his chance to step up.
The Spartans knew what type of team the Iowa Hawkeyes were ahead of their Big Ten showdown — tough, gritty, physical; a game bound to be a defensive struggle. So the night before, the team watched the last fight scene of the movie “Southpaw.” Head coach Mark Dantonio told his team the game will be similar to a 12-round fight. As senior linebacker Chris Frey described it, he said it was like going to "war."
Whilst matching their win total from last season, the Spartans won their first Big Ten game of the season. Iowa ran for just 19 yards rushing as MSU improved to a 3-1 record.
After a 38-18 loss to Notre Dame last weekend, MSU will look to rebound for its first loss of the season and win its first conference game of the season Saturday against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
MSU will be back on the gridiron this Saturday as the Spartans will face the Iowa Hawkeyes in their first Big Ten Conference game of the season. Here are five things to watch this Saturday:
In ways, Iowa football is a walking contradiction.
Three weeks into the season, MSU's offensive turnovers have been well documented at six fumbles and two interceptions, but on defense, head coach Mark Dantonio and the Spartans are frustrated that they aren't creating turnovers of their own.
Josiah Scott is well aware of the national attention he has generated. Just three games into his collegiate career, Scott is hauling in weekly recognitions from the national media, including Pro Football Weekly.
One day removed from MSU’s first loss of the season, head coach Mark Dantonio emphasized one word: resiliency. After MSU’s infamous season last year, the Spartans turned to their youth to step up and play a vital role on the team in 2017.
Everybody knew it coming into the season. Besides bouncing back from a 3-9 season, the talk surrounding this MSU team was simple — the Spartans are young, incredibly so.
After a 38-18 loss to Notre Dame, head coach Mark Dantonio reviewed the loss and previewed the Spartans’ first conference game of the season this Saturday in Dantonio’s weekly press conference on Tuesday.
Before the highly anticipated MSU vs. Notre Dame game and before Spartan, Tiger and Dodger legend, Kirk Gibson, took his place among the "Ring of Honor" at Spartan Stadium, "Gibby and Friends vs. Parky" announced on Saturday afternoon they raised $1.2 million to fund research through MSU's College of Human Medicine into Parkinson’s disease. However, Gibson wanted to make sure he isn’t the only person that’s recognized.
Quarterback Brian Lewerke led a commanding drive to the 1-yard line on MSU’s first offensive possession of the season against Bowling Green. Junior running back LJ Scott would then fumble at the goal line, with the Falcons recovering the loose ball and preventing MSU from scoring on its first red zone appearance in 2017.
Looking solely at the stats, MSU didn’t have a bad night. The green and white outgained Notre Dame in total yards 496-355. The Spartans had the ball far longer than Irish, too, for about 34 minutes of the game compared to their foe’s 26.
It didn’t take long for the Spartans to allow their first defensive touchdown of the year in a 38-18 loss.
After a bye last weekend, the Spartans are ready to get back onto the gridiron and take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday night.