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. Kick Return
    (5:36) Alabama kicks off. No return. Ball on MSU35.

  2. 1st&10 at MSU 35
    (5:36) LJ Scott rush middle for 2 yards to the MSU37.

  3. Tide from their 26

  4. Tide from the 41

  5. 4th&12 at MSU 33
    (4:17) Jake Hartbarger punts. Cyrus Jones returns 5 yards to the Ala27.

  6. Tide at State 25

  7. 1st&10 at Ala 27
    (4:04) Jake Coker pass completion to the left to O.J. Howard for 14 yards to the Ala41.

  8. 1st&10 at Ala 41
    (3:35) Alabama penalized -5 yards.

  9. Field Goal. Tide 10 – 0.

  10. 1st&15 at Ala 36
    (3:22) Derrick Henry rush for 4 yards to the Ala40.

  11. Touchback. State from their 20.

  12. State from their 37.

  13. 1st&10 at MSU 24
    (2:21) Jake Coker pass completion to the right to ArDarius Stewart for -1 yard to the MSU25

  14. 4th&16 at MSU 30Ala 10-0
    (1:30) Adam Griffith 47 yard FIELD GOAL.

  15. State at Tide 48

  16. Kick Return
    (1:25) Alabama kicks off. Touchback. Ball on MSU25.

  17. State at Tide 30

  18. State at Tide 12

  19. 1st&10 at MSU 25
    (1:25) Connor Cook pass completion to the left to Aaron Burbridge for 12 yards to the MSU37.

  20. INT

  21. 1st&10 at MSU 37
    (1:12) Connor Cook pass completion to the left to Gerald Holmes for 3 yards to the MSU40.

  22. 1st&10 at Ala 48
    (0:53) Connor Cook incomplete pass to the left.

  23. 1st&10 at Ala 12
    (0:16) Connor Cook pass to the left intercepted by Cyrus Jones Returned 21 yards.

  24. Halftme Alabama 10 – Michigan State 0

  25. Good grief. I can’t watch.

  26. Touchback. Tide from their 20

  27. Tide at State 49

  28. 3rd Quarter

    Kick Return
    (15:00) Michigan State kicks off. Touchback. Ball on Ala25.

  29. 1st&10 at Ala 25
    (15:00) Jake Coker pass completion to the right to Richard Mullaney for 26 yards to the MSU49.

  30. 1st&10 at MSU 49
    (14:31) Derrick Henry rush middle for -1 yard to the 50.

  31. Tige at 18

  32. 1st&10 at MSU 30
    (13:21) Jake Coker pass completion to the right to Calvin Ridley for 6 yards to the MSU24.

  33. 1st&8 at MSU 8
    (11:14) Derrick Henry rush middle for 2 yards to the MSU6.

  34. 17 – 0 Tide

  35. Touchdown Alabama 17 – 0

  36. 2nd&6 at MSU 6Ala 16-0
    (10:43) Jake Coker pass completion to the left to Calvin Ridley for 6 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.

    Point AfterAla 17-0
    (10:36) Adam Griffith PAT – GOOD.

  37. Touchback. State from their 20

  38. Kick Return
    (10:36) Alabama kicks off. Touchback. Ball on MSU25.

  39. 1st&10 at MSU 25
    (10:36) Madre London rush for 1 yard to the MSU26.

  40. 4th&5 at MSU 30
    (8:43) Jake Hartbarger punts. Cyrus Jones returns 0 yards. Cyrus Jones fumbles, Cyrus Jones of Alabama recovers and returns 0 yards.

  41. Tide from their 39

  42. Tide from their 40

  43. Tide from State 49

  44. 1st&10 at Ala 26
    (8:34) Derrick Henry rush for 14 yards to the Ala40.

  45. 1st&10 at Ala 40
    (8:07) Derrick Henry rush left for 1 yard to the Ala41.

  46. State from their 15

  47. 1st&25 at Ala 36
    (6:03) Jake Coker incomplete pass to the right.

  48. 4th&20 at Ala 41
    (4:49) JK Scott punts. Macgarrett Kings Jr. returns 9 yards to the MSU15.

  49. 1st&10 at MSU 15
    (4:37) Michigan State penalized -5 yards.

  50. Punt returned for TD. 24 – 0 Tide

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