[NU Sports] 3Q: Michigan State ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

And continuing the game ...

- Finally, a penalty on MSU! That was a big offsides
to keep our initial drive of the half alive. NOW TAKE
ADVANTAGE AND SCORE, O!!!

- Looks like MSU, as Purdue last week, is really
keying in on Sutton (after that Wisky game, who
wouldn't?!). So good thing Baz has the downfield touch
to take what's being given.

- BIG touchdown on the opening drive to go up 28-7.
THAT'S just what the offense needed to do coming out
of the locker room! The game's not over by a longshot,
but we gotta keep MSU playing from behind and not let
up on O.

- Again this week, Baz is on ... and it's just an
absolute pleasure to watch him spread the ball --
vertically and horizontally -- all over the field. If
the D focuses on Sutton, Baz will shred 'em. He gets
all receivers involved (even if Herbert is his fave),
keeps the D off balance and gets Sutton involved by
passing if he's bottled up running. Baz is the Big Ten
MVP this year. No doubt in my mind.

- A defensive stop! WOW! C'mon O ... keep it GOING!!!
You gotta applaud the D ... after the zip-bang opening
MSU drive and the early injury, they've fought back
with spunk!

- Finally some MSU laundry ... are they getting
frustrated? The fans sure are.

- Doh! We give the penalty right back. C'mon O!!!

- TOUCHDOWN BAZ!!! 35-7!!!

- Now THAT'S how you go for the jugular, offense! Big
plays by Sutton, Philmore and -- of course -- Baz on
that drive. KEEP IT UP OFFENSE!!!

- Does this mean we would beat Notre Dame by four
scores?:)

- I don't think I've ever seen a more exciting run for
negligible gain as those by Sutton. This guy keeps
fighting for every inch!

- BAZ IS ON FIRE!!! I think Baz is making himself the
Big Ten MVP frontrunner in this game and if he keeps
getting these ESPN2 (NU's new network?:) ) announcers,
he may be able to get to New York.

- Give Dunbar a lot of credit as well for perfect
playcalling the last few games. I think the difference
this year has been our ability to go downfield with
Baz. We've had good running games and spread bubble
screens, but the deep threats and the best middle man
in Herbert since ole #22 and his big smile was in
purple has just let this offense go to a new level.

- SUTTON FOR SIX!!! 42-7!!! THREE STRAIGHT TD DRIVES
FOR THE OFFENSE OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM!!! YES!!!
YES!!! YES!!!

- MSU may be more of a mental team than anyone in the
Big Ten. They always have been, and so have their
fans. We've just beaten down any will to win and their
fans -- and many of their players -- have already left
the building on this Saturday.

- How much do you love those shots of Fitz on the
sidelines. This guy coaches with as much passion as he
played. Let's hope his backers bring it again next
week and force a few turnovers from the Maize and
Blue.

- Sack of Stanton to end the 3rd. WOW! Less than 50
yards given up by the D and three consecutive scoring
drives from the O. You can't ask for anything more
than that!

NU 42, MSU 7 after three.

Something to think about heading into the fourth ...

(and yes, I know we still have 15 minutes to play, but
blowing a 35 point lead in 15 minutes would be a new
low even for our D ... and our D is playing well
today, so ...) ...

In 1995 and 2000, it was a big two-game road swing
that propelled us to being serious contenders for the
Big Ten title. In 1995, we beat ranked Michigan and
Minnesota on the road before coming home for
homecoming against Wisconsin. In 2000, we beat ranked
Wisconsin and ranked MSU on the road before a
homestand that included homecoming (and a killer loss)
to Purdue. Now it looks like 2005 will also see the
Cats coming back to Evanston for Homecoming off a BIG
two-game road swing over ranked MSU and Purdue.
Hopefully the results will be more 1995 than 2000 for
homecoming against Michigan.:)

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!


	
		
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