Props to CAL
Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:15 am
Lay it on me, toolio.
- First off, let me say Cal's offensive line is the real deal. So is Riley and so is Best. That's a very talented offensive unit they've got there. Even scarier, Cal subs in their backup RB late in the game and dude breaks it for an 80 yard TD on his first collegiate possession. That was a heartbreaker. Just sick. Tedford brings Longshore in for two series' and it results in two INTs (one for a TD). You could say Longshore single handedly kept MSU in the first half. You knew after that Riley was going to see exclusive playing time and he stepped up big. Cal's speed was evident but didn't totally dominate. MSU held their own on D but kept giving up key isolated plays especially on 3rd down and started to wear a little thin in the 4th quarter. As I said before, depth and fatigue was a bigtime concern. It was a huge blow that Kendall Davis-Clark couldn't consistently stay in the game because he's MSU's fastest player on defense, and his loss early on resulted in a 3rd string FS getting burnt on a few passing plays.
- I talked my share of junk, but honestly, I was happy to see MSU have a puncher's chance in this one considering how Cal (seemingly) dominated the game in most phases. They really should've won by a couple of TDs, at least. That's sort of been the theme with this fledgling Dantonio era -- there are times they get thoroughly worked, yet still find a way to put themselves into a position to win the game.
- I'm not happy with Brian Hoyer. I've defended him (elsewhere) but it's clear to me he doesn't have what it takes to take the team to the "next level" -- whatever that level may be. He didn't have a ton of time to throw today but even when he did, he made some really erratic decisions you wouldn't expect from a 5th year senior, and he keeps throwing off his back fucking foot. Tha fuck is up with that? Ringer was pretty much a non-factor. He fought tooth and nail for every yard and scored a couple of goal line TDs, but never got those big runs MSU truly needed to take some pressure off Hoyer and the struggling passing game. Certainly not all his fault though -- MSU's O-line was getting over-powered and couldn't open any holes for him. Both lines for Cal are very solid, and their 3-4 switch was an excellent idea.
- The non-stop penalties were more than a little annoying.
- I guess one of the few bright spots is the receiving corp. There were a lot of concerns about MSU's young receivers and guys like Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham stepped up huge. MSU was without their most experienced receiver today due to injury, and still more than held their own. All in all, can't be too upset over this loss. The game was an excellent test before the Big Ten season. This game should really have MSU battle tested because I don't think they'll face many teams in the conference as talented and as quick as Cal.
- First off, let me say Cal's offensive line is the real deal. So is Riley and so is Best. That's a very talented offensive unit they've got there. Even scarier, Cal subs in their backup RB late in the game and dude breaks it for an 80 yard TD on his first collegiate possession. That was a heartbreaker. Just sick. Tedford brings Longshore in for two series' and it results in two INTs (one for a TD). You could say Longshore single handedly kept MSU in the first half. You knew after that Riley was going to see exclusive playing time and he stepped up big. Cal's speed was evident but didn't totally dominate. MSU held their own on D but kept giving up key isolated plays especially on 3rd down and started to wear a little thin in the 4th quarter. As I said before, depth and fatigue was a bigtime concern. It was a huge blow that Kendall Davis-Clark couldn't consistently stay in the game because he's MSU's fastest player on defense, and his loss early on resulted in a 3rd string FS getting burnt on a few passing plays.
- I talked my share of junk, but honestly, I was happy to see MSU have a puncher's chance in this one considering how Cal (seemingly) dominated the game in most phases. They really should've won by a couple of TDs, at least. That's sort of been the theme with this fledgling Dantonio era -- there are times they get thoroughly worked, yet still find a way to put themselves into a position to win the game.
- I'm not happy with Brian Hoyer. I've defended him (elsewhere) but it's clear to me he doesn't have what it takes to take the team to the "next level" -- whatever that level may be. He didn't have a ton of time to throw today but even when he did, he made some really erratic decisions you wouldn't expect from a 5th year senior, and he keeps throwing off his back fucking foot. Tha fuck is up with that? Ringer was pretty much a non-factor. He fought tooth and nail for every yard and scored a couple of goal line TDs, but never got those big runs MSU truly needed to take some pressure off Hoyer and the struggling passing game. Certainly not all his fault though -- MSU's O-line was getting over-powered and couldn't open any holes for him. Both lines for Cal are very solid, and their 3-4 switch was an excellent idea.
- The non-stop penalties were more than a little annoying.
- I guess one of the few bright spots is the receiving corp. There were a lot of concerns about MSU's young receivers and guys like Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham stepped up huge. MSU was without their most experienced receiver today due to injury, and still more than held their own. All in all, can't be too upset over this loss. The game was an excellent test before the Big Ten season. This game should really have MSU battle tested because I don't think they'll face many teams in the conference as talented and as quick as Cal.
