Dec 31 2015

BCS Championship Semifinals: Michigan State University v. Alabama

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That’s the Michigan State University Marching Band at this year’s Big 10 Championships. They carry on in the great tradition of Leonard Falcone who not only wrote this fight song, but also the University of Michigan’s. I studied with him. He thought I was hopeless, but he was a good sport about it, didn’t even suggest I take up the Triangle or anything.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio arrived in East Lansing s Head Coach in 2006 and at his first press conference said- “My mission here is to win championships.”

Pretty big words from a team that has always been considered second rate, even in it’s home state.

But, as The Guardian puts it-

The check-list of achievement has been notable since the first year of his nine-season reign. Winning season and bowl game? Check, after his very first year. Big 10 champions? Check, after season four. Bowl win? Check, in year five. Rose Bowl victory? Check that in Dantonio’s seventh season. Playoffs reached? Yes, that box has now been ticked, too.
…
Tony Versaci, a former MSU assistant coach and now president of the Michigan chapter of the National Football Foundation, sums it up more succinctly: “Coaches win because of discipline, character, convictions, honesty and, of course, strategy. We’re all aware of the incredible record Mark has had at Michigan State. But you know, it kind of pales in comparison to the type of person he is.”

Having that broader view will not give the Spartans any extra edge against the Crimson Tide, who remain 10-point favourites to march on to the championship game, but it does serve as a reminder to the other college football powers that, win or lose, Michigan State will be back for more next year under Dantonio, and his track record suggests he won’t relent until that ambition “to win championships” is fully satisfied.

I root for them because Richard and Emily both went there and that’s where the met. I have several members of the family who are either active or emeritus faculty. You can root for The Crimson Tide if you like, but for me it’s “Go State!, “Green and White!“.

rustymancuso581

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  1. Vent Hole

  2. Alabama Wins the count toss. Will kick off to Michigan State

  3. Touchback. Ball on MSU25.

  4. 1st&10 at MSU 39

  5. 2nd&5 at MSU 44

  6. 3rd&4 at MSU 45

  7. 4th&4 at MSU 45
    Jake Hartbarger punts. No return. Ball on Ala20.

  8. 1st&10 at Ala 20
    (12:41) Jake Coker pass completion to the middle to Calvin Ridley for 6 yards to the Ala26.

  9. 2nd&4 at Ala 26
    (12:30) Jake Coker pass completion to the right to Calvin Ridley for 7 yards to the Ala33.

  10. 1st&10 at Ala 33
    (12:09) Jake Coker incomplete pass to the left.

  11. 2nd&10 at Ala 33
    (12:06) ArDarius Stewart rush right for 7 yards to the Ala40.

  12. 3rd&3 at Ala 40
    (11:28) Jake Coker pass completion to the left to ArDarius Stewart for -1 yard to the Ala39

  13. 4th&4 at Ala 39
    (10:40) JK Scott punts. No return. Ball on MSU5.

  14. 1st&10 at MSU 5
    (10:25) Connor Cook pass completion to the left to Josiah Price for 14 yards to the MSU19

  15. 1st&10 at MSU 19
    (9:58) Connor Cook pass completion to the right to Josiah Price for 3 yards to the MSU22.

  16. 4th&10 at MSU 19
    (8:24) Jake Hartbarger punts. Cyrus Jones returns -2 yards to the Ala29.

  17. 1st&10 at Ala 42
    (7:31) Derrick Henry rush right for 1 yard to the Ala43.

  18. 4th&22 at Ala 30
    (6:10) JK Scott punts. No return. Ball on MSU32.

  19. 1st&10 at MSU 32
    (5:58) Madre London rush right for 0 yards.

  20. 1st&10 at Ala 38
    (4:14) Aaron Burbridge rush right for -3 yards to the Ala41.

  21. 4th&20 at Ala 48
    (2:42) Jake Hartbarger punts. No return. Ball on Ala4

  22. 1st&10 at Ala 4
    (2:31) Derrick Henry rush middle for 3 yards to the Ala7.

  23. ‘Bama 1st dpwn at the 30

  24. End 1st Quarter

  25. End of first quarter. No Score

  26. ‘Bama 1st at the 45

  27. 1st&10 at Ala 31
    (15:00) Jake Coker pass completion to the left to Kenyan Drake for 9 yards to the Ala40

  28. ‘Bama 1st at State 45

  29. 1st&10 at Ala 46
    (14:17) Derrick Henry rush right for 4 yards to the 50.

  30. Touchback. State at their 20.

  31. 1st&10 at MSU 43
    (12:30) Jake Coker incomplete pass to the middle.

  32. 4th&8 at MSU 41
    (10:57) JK Scott punts. Touchback. Ball on MSU20.

  33. 1st&10 at MSU 20
    (10:48) Delton Williams rush left for 5 yards to the MSU25.

  34. State at Tide 39. 1st

  35. 1st&10 at MSU 40
    (10:09) Delton Williams rush left for 1 yard to the MSU41.

  36. 1st&10 at Ala 42
    (8:42) Michigan State penalized -5 yards.

  37. 1st&15 at Ala 47
    (8:36) Connor Cook incomplete pass to the right.

  38. Touchback. Tide at their 20.

  39. 4th&15 at Ala 47
    (8:23) Jake Hartbarger punts. Touchback. Ball on Ala20.

  40. 1st at 35

  41. 1st&10 at Ala 20
    (8:14) Jake Coker pass completion to the middle to Richard Mullaney for 15 yards to the Ala35.

  42. 1st at 45.

  43. 1st&10 at Ala 35
    (7:47) Derrick Henry rush left for -1 yard to the Ala34.

  44. Tide at the 1.

  45. 7 – 0 Tide

  46. 1st&10 at Ala 49
    (6:14) Jake Coker pass completion to the right to Calvin Ridley for 50 yards to the MSU1.

  47. 1st&1 at MSU 1
    (5:58) Michigan State penalized 0 yards.

  48. 1st&1 at MSU 1Ala 6-0
    (5:41) Derrick Henry rush middle for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.

  49. Point AfterAla 7-0
    (5:36) Adam Griffith PAT – GOOD.

  50. State from their 35

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