Michigan State University Athletics
Grinz on Green Blog
11/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2011
By Steve Grinczel, Online Columnist
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Theory became fact based on the data collected in Michigan State's 37-21 victory over Iowa.
The Spartans went into the game believing that if they could stop the Hawkeyes' ground game and Big Ten leading rusher Marcus Coker, they would win the game.
The burly Coker, who MSU coach Mark Dantonio compared to former Pittsburgh Steelers back Jerome Bettis earlier in the week, gained just 42 yards on 13 carries in the first half, while MSU built a 31-7 lead.
Coker finished with 57 yards, his lowest output against Big Ten competition this season, on 21 attempts. Coker, who ran for a 2-yard touchdown in the third quarter, had been averaging 122.3 yards per game, and 144.2 in conference play.
"We had done it all season," said defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. "We kind of got away from it for a couple games, but this week in practice, we tried to get back to the mind-set we had early on when we were the No. 1 defense in the country.
"When we play our brand of ball, we can't be stopped up front."
Michigan State entered the game No. 1 in total defense in the Big Ten and second nationally.
As Iowa was forced to play catch-up, it relied more on the arm of quarterback James Vandenberg, who completed 22-of-47 passes for 262 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Spartans also sacked Vandenberg three times.
"When you're a one-dimensional team, you're not going to win the football game," said MSU free safety Trenton Robinson. "Our D-line came over to us and said, `Don't worry about the run, we're going to handle it. Just keep trying to contain the pass and make some plays.'
"When you don't have to worry about the run as a defensive back, it really helps."
Michigan State limited Iowa to 2.9 yards per rush, well below its 4.8 average.
"They did a good job of taking our run away from us," said Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz. "We never got any rhythm going at all. I don't think Marcus had a chance to get started. Credit goes to them. They really did a great job."
Linebackers Max Bullough, Denicos Allen and Chris Norman led MSU with 13, nine and six tackles, respectively.
"He's a great running back, but our front seven played physical and tough, and we did what we've been doing all year," Allen said. "I think we had a dominating performance. Our main goal was to stop the run and we did. I realized that their linemen weren't climbing up to me as much, so I figured (the defensive linemen) were doing their job pretty well."
The Spartans, as a whole, were flying to the ball.
"I think it was team defense, but I also think it was emotion," Bullough said. "If you're playing with emotion, you're playing fast. You're playing with a reason and a motive."
