Every once in a while you have to roll up your sleeves and get down and dirty if you want to win. I’ve said it before, a W is a W, but sometimes when you mix it up with a rival, or even an in-state relative, things can get ugly.
It seemed like Michigan State wanted to play ugly. Sometimes you gotta win ugly and while I don’t condone playing chippy, if the opponent starts it, well then you gotta finish it, and finish them. I’m not sure I have ever witnessed a Michigan game that had so many unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. This was clearly an emotional game and that’s good –you need to win in different ways and if the opponent wants a street fight, BRING IT ON!
Here are your Street-Fighting Champions:
OFFENSIVE CHAMPION – After a slow start, the Michigan offense got on a roll thanks to 9 catches and 150 yards from Ronnie Bell.
Number 8 looked more confident out there and seems to have figured out how to, not only get open, but how to get extra yards after the catch. Love his energy and how he has worked on his craft. I’m expecting a lot more from Bell as he grows with this team.
DEFENSIVE CHAMPION – The tone of a game usually gets set by a big play and typically that play involves a big hit. On Saturday, Khaleke “Hit-Man” Hudson delivered a massive hit on a crossing route that not only planted the MSU receiver in the field-turf of Michigan Stadium, but got the attention of all 111,496 people who were in attendance. Then it seemed like the energy became infectious and suddenly Don Brown’s Dudes were playing with piranha-like intensity that just overwhelmed the Spartans. What does Don Brown like to say? “Make them FEEL YOU!!!” Number 7 did just that!
SPECIAL TEAMS CHAMPION – As if Khaleke Hudson hadn’t done enough on the defensive side of the ball, his punt block ratcheted up the energy and noise level at Michigan Stadium even higher in the 4th quarter. Now the crowd really got jacked and the rout was clearly on.
This year, Michigan State had trouble with the kick, and I for one was happy to see that! You know why? Two things: Pride comes before the fall AND it’s never over!!
