Holy expletive! Doth my eyes deceive me? Is this truly an MSU victory? Over the weasels? In their play pen? The answer is yes, yes to it all of it. It has been a rough season without a doubt, but to beat Michigan, that is a game all of us would be happy to win. So, we finally have ourselves some real joy for this week’s weather report.
Sun #1
The first sun has to go to Joe Rossi. I mean the man barely has people available to take the field. The defense looked prepared, had a game plan, and executed. Five
sacks, four turnovers and a near shutout all against your rival on the road without half of your normal starters is exactly why Rossi gets the sun. Plus the batted down passes, and tackle for losses just added to the reasoning. I loved the intensity and physicality of the defense. The defense has been gritty all year. Not always successful, but they’ve been gritty. They have had a grit that is what Spartan football is supposed to be. This was a special win and this defense deserves a lot of that credit. Now the question is, can a win like this give this team a push to come out the season?
Sun #2
My second sun is headed to the kicking game. First and foremost, Liam Boyd was lights out. Every kick mattered and he was as solid as someone could be. The 49 yarder, that could have been good for longer, was a nail in the coffin kick. Boyd wasn’t the only boot that made a difference. Rhys Dakin had some great punts. Only had to punt four times but three of them were inside the 20. That just allowed the defense more opportunity to tee up on the weasels. Let’s also not forget to give a shout out to Jacob Baggett for his beautiful doink off the upright. It was little things like that, that game me hope that we had a chance. Second time this season I’m handing out a sun to Liam Boyd.
Sun #3
I have a shared third sun. My first part is going to the stat sheet and MSU dominating in everything. Time of possession, passing, rushing, turnovers, and as usual against Michigan, penalties. It was a strange feeling to feel there was this chance all game long. Our memory of Northwestern and Illinois made it difficult to keep the hope but ultimately, MSU was in charge this whole game. Part two of this shared sun is going to the booing Michigan fans. There is nothing I love more that hearing weasel fans boo their own team, in their own house. Boo away Ann Arbor, boo your way through all your excuses.
Cloud #1
First cloud goes to the inability to punch it in the end zone. Michigan has a solid defense and one that showed that as it shut MSU out of the end zone for the whole game. MSU was close numerous times but never could cross the line. The Spartans have got to get the ball in the end zone when you get that close. Some of the problem was play calling and some was just being out played. Thankfully, MSU still managed to put points up with the field goals.
Cloud #2
Cloud 2 is headed to the 7 penalties because I can finally be a bit picky with the clouds. You have to expect the whistles when playing in the play pen and the 7 penalties were not good. Honestly though, it is hard to make this a cloud because MSU was playing physical and typically would have been called for even more. I’m glad they were getting hands on receivers and fortunate the interference calls or even phantom late hit calls weren’t called to benefit the weasels. So, this is like a half cloud, which leads me to my next conundrum.
Cloud #3…nah Sun #4
I’m sorry my friends but I am too elated to talk negative and my hatred for the opponent has been at unhealthy levels since childhood. So, let’s talk about some more sun. I want to mention some individuals who helped this win. Shout out to Alessio for getting on the field after being questionable all week. Shout out to Crishon McCray for some big time catches to keep things moving and momentum staying with Sparta. Shout out to Brandon Tulles who had 25 carries and only 86 yards. There were not many of those 86 yards that came easy, but he continued to push and at times get just enough. Lastly, a shout out to Coach Fitz. The final score has not always been in our favor but the grit, the handling of diversity, the effort being made to get back to what Spartan football is has been noticed. I know there are plenty that don’t want him here and hated the hire. I think after the way this team has fought each week through all of its adversities is a testament to your coach and i think Fitz deserves some credit for that and a bit of grace.
Well, let’s hear it TOC, I want to see those suns and clouds in the comments. Before you do though, can we just take a moment to breathe in, smile, give a little laugh that we managed to beat Michigan coming into the game on a 6 game losing streak? Please make sure you irritate every weasel you see this week, especially the Walmart ones, because even with the loaded excuses that are sure to pour out, Paul is still going to be back where he belongs. Go Green!
