Cotton Bowl Practice Update No. 3
12/31/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Eighth-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio sent his team through a 2-hour workout in shells on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as the No. 8 Spartans (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) continued preparation for the Jan. 1, 2015, Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 5 Baylor (11-1, 8-1 Big 12).
"We've lightened things up the last two days and limited the hitting because it's important for the players to be fresh on game day," Dantonio said.
"We've been preparing for this game for a couple of weeks, so our players have gotten a lot of reps. We're prepared, but we expect to see some new things game day. So we'll have to adjust. We're physically and emotionally ready to play.
"There are a lot of good football teams, and Baylor is an excellent football team. We've played against two of the College Football Playoff semifinalists, Oregon and Ohio State, and Baylor had a case to be one of the top four teams."
"Both programs have played in big games on the national stage, so neither team will be fazed by the game-day atmosphere," Dantonio continued. "We're looking forward to the challenge and deciding this game on the field between the lines."
Baylor leads the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring offense (48.8 points per game) and total offense (581.2 yards per game). Second-team All-Big 12 quarterback Bryce Petty (6-3, 230, Sr.) has completed 62 percent of this throws for 3,305 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. A two-year starter, Petty has thrown a TD pass in 24 consecutive games.
"Bryce Petty is a quick decision maker, with a quick release," Dantonio said. "He knows the pressure points of the defense, and he can create. Baylor has designed runs for him, but he can run out of the pocket as well. Petty is a great leader and a gamer.
"I was watching the movie `Elf' a couple of nights before Christmas with the family, and the scene where Buddy's throwing the snowballs reminded me of Petty's rapid delivery and accuracy."
Five Baylor receivers have caught at least 29 passes, including three with 50-plus receptions.
"Baylor has a very talented receiving corps," Dantonio said. "Five different receivers have recorded 100-yard games this season, so this team as a lot of big-play threats. The most impressive thing is that they all can run after the catch.
"Defensively, we have to get lined up properly. You can't afford to play sloppy against this offense, so we have to get lined up correctly and consistently tackle well in space. We've tried to simulate Baylor's offense in practice, but its one thing to execute at practice speed and another thing to play well at game speed."
First-team All-Big 12 running back Shock Linwood (5-9, 200, So.) has rushed for 1,226 yards and 16 TDs.
"We expect to see three tailbacks, but Shock Linwood is the featured back," Dantonio said. "Linwood is a first-team All-Big 12 selection, with great vision in the hole. Baylor has runs designed to get him to the second level. He has the ability to run through the smoke and get out the door. Defensively, we have to fly to the football and make tackles in the box.
"Defensively, we must limit the number of big plays, tackle well in space and make plays on the ball in the deep part of the field. Our corners and safeties will have to play well with their backs to the ball because Baylor loves to throw fades and deep balls. We also must finish on the plus side in turnover margin, so we can provide more opportunities for our offense to put points on the scoreboard."
"We understand the importance of this game," fifth-year senior free safety Kurtis Drummond said. "We have to eliminate the mental mistakes and critical errors. We have to get guys on the ground and make plays on the deep balls. We can't let a 10-yard catch turn into a 50-yard touchdown. Baylor has playmakers all over the field, and (Bryce) Petty understands the offense. All you have to do is look at the box scores and you understand that Baylor knows how to score points."
Michigan State concluded the final bowl practice with a video tribute to the 2014 senior class, then continuing a program tradition, each senior walked down a receiving line created by teammates, coaches and support staff to share their final goodbyes.
"It's a little emotional for the seniors," Dantonio said. "Most of them have been in the program for four and five years, and this signifies the beginning of another chapter in their lives. Following the bowl game, some seniors will begin training for the NFL Combine and others will join the work force."
Former Michigan State All-Americans Gene Washington (wide receiver, 1964-66) and Robaire Smith (defensive end, 1997-99) along with former Spartan pitcher Tim Crabtree (1990-92), who spent the final four seasons of his Major League career with the Texas Rangers (1998-2001), attended Tuesday's practice at AT&T Stadium.
Tuesday night, Michigan State's players had an opportunity to spend time with family and friends while members of the coaching staff and administration attended the Dr. Pepper Party, featuring a concert by Joe Nichols, at the Hilton Anatole.
Michigan State is making its school-record eighth-consecutive bowl appearance, including it's first-ever trip to the Cotton Bowl Classic. The Spartans are making their 25th postseason appearance overall, including their second-straight New Year's Day bowl game. MSU also is looking to extend its school-record three-game bowl winning streak after topping No. 18 Georgia in the 2012 Outback Bowl, 33-30 in triple overtime; edging TCU in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 17-16; and knocking off No. 5 Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl, 24-20.
The 79th Cotton Bowl Classic will be televised by ESPN, with kickoff set for 12:45 p.m. ET.
