FanPost

MSUFR Defense at Illinois

[Rebumped due to added content. -KJ]

FInally.  So, upgrades from last time.  I added the new metric that KJ came up with for the defense.  I also cut up videos so that there are several through as opposed to just one at the end.  I will probably be adding a few more in the future so check back after Tuesday for a few more. 

I will be fixing errors and adding updates as time allows this weekend.

Updated:  Added the metrics and Nickel vs Base discussion.

Play by play courtesy of ESPN.

Time Quarter Down LOS Offense Defense Result
11:37 1 N/A MSU 30 Kick Return Kick Coverage Brett Swenson kickoff for 65 yards returned by Arrelious Benn, tackled by Greg Jones for 27 yards to the Illin 32, tackled by Greg Jones.
The coverage unit does a good job of surrounding the KR and making a nice tackle.
11:32 1 1st and 10 ILL 32 Shotgun 3WR, 2HB 4-3 Daniel Dufrene rush right for 1 yard to the Illin 33, tackled by Chris L. Rucker.
70 Wilson and 58 Anderson flow with the play down the LOS. Anderson keeps outside contain forcing the HB to cut up the field where Wilson, 53 Jones, 11 Hyde and 34 Denson all miss tackles before 29 L. Rucker brings down the runner. 29 L. Rucker +1, 70 Wilson -1, 53 Jones -1, 11 Hyde -1, 34 Denson -1 DM 0/1
11:00 1 2nd and 9 ILL 33 Ace 3WR 4-3 Daniel Dufrene rush over right tackle for 1 yard to the Illin 34, tackled by Trevor Anderson and Jerel Worthy.
Illinois runs a straight forward blocking scheme on this run. 99 Worthy gets off his block to combine with a tackle with 58 Anderson. 99 Worthy +1, 58 Anderson +1 DM 0/2
10:35 1 3rd and 8 ILL 34 Shotgun 3WR, 2HB Nickel Eddie McGee pass incomplete to Jarred Fayson, hurried by David Rolf.
MSU is in the nickel set. The defense blitzes a LB, 53 Jones, and drops everyone else into coverage. The coverage is Cover 2 Man. So the safeties are in a deep zone and everyone else is in man coverage. 53 Jones beats the RG and forces the QB out of the pocket and into pressure from 54 Rolf. The secondary had everyone covered. 53 Jones +1, 54 Rolf +1, Secondary +1 DM 1/3
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 3 plays 2 yards, 00:00 ILL PUNT
3:39 1 N/A MSU 30 Kick Return Kick Coverage Brett Swenson kickoff for 58 yards returned by A.J. Jenkins, tackled by Andre Anderson and Danny Fortener for 18 yards to the MchSt 30, tackled by Andre Anderson and Danny Fortener, ILLINOIS penalty 10 yard holding on Nate Bussey accepted.
Spartans continue to do a great job of swarming to the ball preventing a big return.
3:39 1 1st and 10 ILL 20 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L 4-3 Daniel Dufrene rush over right tackle for 8 yards to the Illin 28, tackled by Danny Fortener and Marcus Hyde.
Illinois release the LT and C after the MSU LBs. 43 Gordon gets blocked by the C, 53 Jones by the LT. 34 Denson is the first to arrive on the tackle. 89 Neely was unblocked, but could not get to the HB. 33 Fortener +1, 11 Hyde +1, 53 Jones -1, 43 Gordon -1 DM 1/4
3:11 1 2nd and 2 ILL 28 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L 4-3 Eddie McGee pass complete to Arrelious Benn for 10 yards to the Illin 38, tackled by Danny Fortener and Greg Jones for a 1ST down.
43 Gordon goes on a delayed blitz, he gets pressure. MSU looks like they are in a Cover 1 Zone, so 53 Jones and 11 Hyde are in zone coverage in the center of the field while everyone else is in man. 34 Denson and 33 Fortener cover the same guy leaving Benn open (seriously? Benn?) 33 Fortener makes the tackle. 43 Gordon +1, 33 Fortener +1, 33 Fortener -1, 34 Denson -1 Link to Play DM 1/5
2:40 1 1st and 10 ILL 38 Shotgun 3WR 4-3 Daniel Dufrene rush right for 3 yards to the Illin 41, tackled by Jeremy Ware
Illinois runs the option. 58 Anderson hits the QB. The HB fumbles the pitch and 9 Ware hits him in the backfield, but he falls forward for a small gain. 34 Denson is blocked by a WR. 9 Ware +1, 34 Denson -1 DM 1/6
2:07 1 2nd and 7 ILL 41 Shotgun 3WR 4-3 Eddie McGee screen pass incomplete to N/A, hurried by Greg Jones.
MSU shows blitz with 2 LBs. 53 Jones gets their right away forcing a bad throw by the QB. Illinois had the right call on as this was a screen. If the pass was better it could have been a huge gain. 53 Jones +1 DM 2/7
1:53 1 3rd and 7 ILL 41 Shotgun 3WR, Trips L Nickel Eddie McGee crossing pass complete to Chris Duvalt for 21 yards to the MchSt 38, tackled by Danny Fortener out-of-bounds for a 1ST down.
MSU sends 34 Denson on a blitz that is picked up. There is no pressure on the QB. MSU is in zone and a WR runs to an open spot and gets a first down. 55 Decker -1, 34 Denson -1, 58 Anderson -1, 57 Strayhorn -1 Link to video DM 2/8
1:29 1 1st and 10 MSU 38 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L 4-3 Eddie McGee rush left for 11 yards to the MchSt 27, tackled by Greg Jones for a 1ST down.
Illinois runs a zone read keeper. 89 Neely is unblocked on this play and attacks the HB. The QB sees Neely, keeps the ball and runs upfield for a first down. 34 Denson saw the play develop too late and could not make a tackle on the QB. 53 Jones avoids blocker to make the tackle. Since MSU is not scraping on these plays, I think 89 Neely has to maintain outside contain. This is the same thing that MSU did not do during the Michigan game. 53 Jones +1, 89 Neely -1 Link to Video DM 2/9
1:05 1 1st and 10 MSU 27 Shotgun 5WR 4-3 Eddie McGee rush up the middle for 2 yards to the MchSt 25, tackled by Greg Jones.
Illinois motions a WR into the backfield and runs another zone read. 89 Neely takes the WR on the fake thereby keeping outside contain. 53 Jones reads the play and attacks up the field and makes the tackle for a short gain. 99 Worthy and 70 Wilson stunted on this play, they failed miserably at their attempt. 43 Gordon avoided a blocker on this play. 53 Jones +1 DM 2/10
0:28 1 2nd and 8 MSU 25 Shotgun, HB Strong 4-3 Eddie McGee rush over left end for 1 yard to the MchSt 24, tackled by Colin Neely and Jerel Worthy.
Illinois runs an option to the strong side. 89 Neely is unblocked, he reads the play and attacks the QB like he is supposed to. I think the QB should have pitched the ball, but instead he cuts up the field where he is tackled. 99 Worthy beats his blocker and is in on the tackle with Neely. 89 Neely +1, 99 Worthy +1 DM 2/11
15:00 2 3rd and 7 MSU 24 ILLINOIS penalty 5 yard false start on Randall Hunt accepted.
15:00 2 3rd and 12 MSU 29 Shotgun 4WR 2-3-3-3 Eddie McGee sacked by Eric Gordon for a loss of 7 yards to the MchSt 36.
MSU only has 2 defensive linemen in on this play. MSU blitzes 6 on this play. 43 Gordon and 55 Decker stunt from the side of the field with no downlineman. The LG lets 43 Gordon by to pick up 55 Decker. He did the right thing, you block a blitz inside out. No one picks up 43 Gordon and he gets the sack. 58 Anderson was asleep when the ball was snapped. 43 Gordon +1 Link to Video DM 3/12
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 9 plays 44 yards, 03:44 ILL PUNT
8:18 2 4th and 11 ILL 41 Punt Return Punt Coverage Aaron Bates punt for 32 yards, fair catch by Jarred Fayson at the Illin 9.
Bates does a great job of kicking the ball high and short of the endzone. The kick allows the coverage to get downfield and force the PR to make a fair catch. Bates +1
8:04 2 1st and 10 ILL 9 Shotgun 3WR 4-3 Daniel Dufrene rush over right tackle for 4 yards to the Illin 13, tackled by Kevin Pickelman and Marcus Hyde.
Another zone read. This time 89 Neely maintains outside contain and the QB gives the ball to the HB. I think 89 Neely needed to go upfield on this play, but it worked out fine. 96 Pickelman does a great job of attacking the HB while being blocked. He drags down the HB with one arm. 96 Pickelman +1 DM 3/13
7:38 2 2nd and 6 ILL 13 Shotgun 3WR, HB Weak 4-3 Eddie McGee sideline pass incomplete to Arrelious Benn.
It looks like the secondary is in man coverage, but the LBs are in zone. MSU does get pressure with just the defensive line. The WR just dropped the ball. 58 Anderson +1, 89 Neely +1, 96 Pickelman +1 DM 3/14
7:31 2 3rd and 6 ILL 13 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Eddie McGee sacked by Johnathan Strayhorn and Brandon Denson for a loss of 2 yards to the Illin 11.
Looked like the base defense because 34 Denson was on the line. He blitzes and stunts with 55 Decker who is lined up as a DE. There is pressure forcing the QB to step up and 34 Denson pounces on him as he does. 34 Denson +1, 55 Webber +1 DM 4/15
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 3 plays 2 yards, 00:00 ILL PUNT
5:11 2 1st and 10 ILL 2 Ace 3WR 4-3 Jason Ford rush over left tackle for 3 yards to the Illin 5, tackled by Greg Jones and Eric Gordon.
Illinois runs to the weak side. 43 Gordon reads the play and blitzes and gets picked up by the LG. 53 Jones misses the tackle, but there are so many Spartans in the area the HB has no where to go and half the defense is there to make the tackle. 53 Jones -1, 43 Gordon -1 DM 4/16
4:41 2 2nd and 7 ILL 5 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R 4-3 Jason Ford rush over right guard for 4 yards to the Illin 9, tackled by David Rolf.
Zone read. 54 Rolf is unblocked. Which was lucky for him because he was asleep when the ball was snapped. Rolf keeps the outside so the QB hands to the HB who has to cut back into Rolf because of the MSU LBs. 43 Gordon gets blocked on the play. 53 Jones is just great at avoiding blockers. 54 Rolf -1, 43 Gordon -1 DM 4/17
4:10 1 3rd and 3 ILL 9 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R 4-3 Eddie McGee sideline pass incomplete to A.J. Jenkins.
MSU sends 43 Gordon and 53 Jones on a blitz. The blitz is picked up but the QB is hurried and throws a one hopper to the WR. 43 Gordon as blocked by the HB. It looks like 34 Denson was supposed to have coverage on this play. 34 Denson -1,43 Gordon -1 DM 5/18
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 3 plays 7 yards, 00:00 ILL PUNT
15:00 3 N/A MSU 30 Kick Return Kick Coverage Brett Swenson kickoff for 69 yards returned by Troy Pollard, tackled by Danny Fortener and Ross Weaver for 23 yards to the Illin 24, tackled by Danny Fortener and Ross Weaver.
Swenson does a great job of putting the ball where MSU wants it. The KR receives the ball about 5 yards from the sideline on the 1 yard line. A few players were blocked or this could have been held to a 20 yard gain. Swenson +1
14:54 3 1st and 10 ILL 24 Shotgun 5WR 4-3 Eddie McGee pass incomplete to Jarred Fayson, hurried by Trevor Anderson.
58 Anderson gets pressure forcing the QB to throw the ball away. At least I was hoping he threw it away. 58 Anderson +1 DM 6/19
14:49 3 2nd and 10 ILL 24 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L 4-3 Daniel Dufrene rush over right tackle for 8 yards to the Illin 32, tackled by Brandon Denson and Marcus Hyde.
43 Gordon and 53 Jones blitz. Both are picked up by blockers allowing the HB to get upfield. 89 Neely was unblocked on this play, but had to maintain outside contain, thereby taking himself out of the play. 53 Jones -1, 43 Gordon -1 DM 6/20
14:21 3 3rd and 2 ILL 32 Shotgun 3WR Nickel Eddie McGee rush over right end for 6 yards to the Illin 38, tackled by Marcus Hyde and Brandon Denson for a 1ST down.
MSU has the DBs up in tight coverage and shows blitz. 11 Hyde walks up to put a 7th man in the box. 53 Jones is lined up as an OLB and blitzes, he is picked up by the HB. The LG pulls and can't decide who to block so he blocks no one allowing 34 Denson and 11 Hyde to make the tackle. 53 Jones -1 DM 6/21
13:50 3 1st and 10 ILL Shotgun 5WR 4-3 38 Eddie McGee screen pass incomplete to Chris Duvalt.
It is a WR screen that the QB makes a horrible throw on. 34 Denson gets blocked by a WR on the play. The DTs stunted. 58 Anderson was unblocked and puts a hit on the QB. 89 Neely just missed knocking down the pass. 58 Anderson +1, 34 Denson -1 DM 6/22
13:43 3 2nd and 10 ILL 38 Shotgun 3WR 4-3 Eddie McGee pass intercepted by Danny Fortener at the Illin 45, returned for 45 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
MSU has the DBs up tight. They show blitz with 34 Gordon but do not come. MSU is in a man coverage, but I am not sure which one. On the replays it does not look like 11 Hyde covers anyone and the LBs do not blitz. So, I am not sure what is going on. 33 Fortener picks it off and returns it to the house. 33 Fortener +2 DM 7/23 Link to Video
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 5 plays 14 yards, 01:28 ILL INT PICK 6
13:32 3 N/A MSU 30 Kick Return Kick Coverage Brett Swenson kickoff for 67 yards returned by A.J. Jenkins, tackled by Drew Stevens for 6 yards to the Illin 9, tackled by Drew Stevens.
The KR muffed the kick and 48 Stevens made a nice open field tackle to force Illinois to start inside their own 10. 48 Stevens +1
13:25 3 1st and 10 ILL 9 Shotgun 3WR, 2HB 4-3 Daniel Dufrene rush left for 1 yard to the Illin 10, tackled by Danny Fortener.
MSU is in press coverage. Illiniois runs a trip option. It is a read option up the middle and the QB keeps the ball and the other HB follows him for a normal option to the wide side of the field. 89 Neely gives up outside contain. 34 Denson gets chipped by a WR. I guess the QB thought Denson would tackle him so he pitches it and 33 Fortener makes a great open field tackle. 33 Fortener +1, 34 Denson -1, 89 Neely -1 DM 7/24
12:58 3 2nd and 9 ILL 10 Shotgun 3WR, 2HB 4-3 Eddie McGee screen pass incomplete to Jason Ford.
Wow, this doesn't look like a screen pass. I had to watch the play twice to figure out that it was. Illinois is just horrible on execution. Two o-lineman cut block, one of them misses. 34 Denson is blocked by a WR. The QB just threw the ball poorly into the flat. 34 Denson -1 DM 7/25
12:24 3 3rd and 9 ILL 10 Shotgun 4WR Nickel Eddie McGee middle pass incomplete to A.J. Jenkins.
MSU runs a zone blitz. Prior to the snap, 34 Denson drops back into deep coverage. He is behind the safeties. This is an odd play so I'll post a video and a picture. MSU ends up with 4 defenders in the middle of the field not really guarding anyone. 53 Jones blitzed and was picked up by the HB. 53 Jones -1 DM 7/26
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 3 plays 1 yards, 00:00 ILL PUNT
11:54 3 4th and 5 ILL 48 Punt Return Punt Coverage Aaron Bates punt for 48 yards for a touchback.
Bates -1
11:46 3 1st and 10 ILL 20 Shotgun 5WR 4-3 Juice Williams deep pass incomplete to Arrelious Benn.
29 L. Rucker is in press coverage, but the other DB is 8 yards off. The DTs stunt. 58 Anderson almost gets pressure but the QB never sees or feels him. The QB misses a wide open WR. 54 Rolf gets held on the play, so I won't give him a negative. The LBs are in zone underneath and release the WR to the safeties, who never pick him up. 39 Robinson -1, 33 Fortener -1, 58 Anderson -1, 70 Wilson -2, 96 Pickelman -2, 54 Rolf -1 Video DM 7/28
11:40 3 2nd and 10 ILL 20 Shotgun 5WR 4-3 Juice Williams sacked by Trevor Anderson for a loss of 1 yard to the Illin 19, ILLINOIS penalty holding declined.
Evidently my DVR hates 58 Anderson. I can't see anything. 58 Anderson +1 DM 8/29
11:10 3 3rd and 11 ILL 19 ??? ??? Juice Williams sideline pass incomplete to Jarred Fayson, broken up by Chris L. Rucker.
29 L. Rucker +1 DM 9/30
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 3 plays -1 yards, 00:50 ILL PUNT
8:18 3 4th and 8 ILL 46 Punt Return Punt Coverage Aaron Bates punt for 33 yards, fair catch by Jarred Fayson at the Illin 13.
Bates booms a high punt that allows the coverage time to get downfield and force a fair catch inside the 20. Bates +2
8:13 3 1st and 10 ILL 13 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L 4-3 Juice Williams rush up the middle for 11 yards to the Illin 24, tackled by Danny Fortener for a 1ST down.
MSU drops back into a Cover 2 Man defense. The d-line gets no pressure and the QB runs for a first down. 99 Worthy and 93 Treadwell miss the QB as he scrambles. Terrible spot on the play, the QB is down at the 22.5 and the ball gets marked at the 24. 58 Anderson -2, 99 Worthy -3, 93 Treadwell -3, 54 Rolf -2 DM 9/31
7:51 3 1st and 10 ILL 24 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L 4-3 Juice Williams flag pass incomplete to Arrelious Benn, hurried by Greg Jones, broken up by Brandon Denson.
MSU has the DBs in tight coverage. 53 Jones blitzes on the play as Illinois rolls the pocket to the L. 53 Jones has pressure as the ball is thrown. It goes right through the hands of 34 Denson. The secondary had everyone covered. 53 Jones +1, 34 Denson +1, 29 L. Rucker +1, 33 Fortener +1, 39 Robinson +1, 9 Ware +1 DM 10/32
7:44 3 2nd and 10 ILL 24 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L 4-3 Juice Williams rush right for 10 yards to the Illin 24, tackled by Trenton Robinson out-of-bounds, ILLINOIS penalty 10 yard illegal block on Jack Ramsey accepted.
Penalty, so no review. This is the second time MSU gets boned on this this year. Penalty on Illinois, they get the down over.
7:44 3 2nd and 10 ILL 24 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L 4-3 Juice Williams middle pass incomplete to Arrelious Benn.
MSU stunts the DEs with the DTs. 99 Worthy gets pressure. The throw is almost intercepted. 99 Worthy +1 DM 10/33
7:19 3 3rd and 10 ILL 24 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Juice Williams sideline pass complete to Arrelious Benn for 20 yards to the Illin 44 out-of-bounds for a 1ST down.
34 Denson blitzes and is pickd up by the RT and HB. 58 Anderson slips on the play. 57 Strayhorn is controlled by the C. 55 Decker is blocked by the RG. 9 Ware has good coverage as does everyone else in the secondary. Its just a good throw and catch by Illinois. 34 Denson -2, 55 Decker -2, 57 Strayhorn -2, 58 Anderson -2 Video Included DM 10/34
7:14 3 1st and 10 ILL 44 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R 4-3 Juice Williams sideline pass incomplete to Jarred Fayson.
MSU has press coverage on the single WR, and is loose on the trips. MSU sends a LB and CB on the blitz. Both miss the QB who gets outside to throw the ball to a WR who drops it. 29 L. Rucker -1, 43 Gordon -1 DM 10/35
6:57 3 2nd and 10 ILL 44 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R 4-3 Mikel LeShoure rush up the middle for 6 yards to the 50 yard line, tackled by Blake Treadwell.
MSU has both CBs in press coverage. 57 Strayhorn is unblocked but can not make a play. The C blocks 43 Gordon. 93 Treadwell is able to move enough on his block to get an arm on the HB and bring him down. 43 Gordon -1 DM 10/36
6:20 3 3rd and 4 ILL 50 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R 4-3 Juice Williams sacked by Jerel Worthy for a loss of 2 yards to the Illin 48.
99 Worthy just blows by his man to get the sack. 99 Worthy +1 DM 11/37 Play and Replay 1:22:12
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 8 plays 35 yards, 02:43 ILL PUNT
4:10 3 1st and 10 MSU 30 Shotgun 3WR, 2HB 4-3 Jason Ford rush left for 27 yards to the MchSt 3, tackled by Danny Fortener out-of-bounds for a 1ST down.
43 Gordon gets blocked by the HB. 53 Jones misses a tackle after avoiding a block. It looks like Jones doesn't know where the ball is. It was a CB blitz, so 11 Hyde is watching the WR and never looks for the HB until it is too late. 33 Fortener hustles over and prevents the TD. 33 Fortener +1, 43 Gordon -1, 53 Jones -1 DM 11/38 Play and replays..
4:09 3 1st and Goal MSU 3 Ace 3WR 4-3 Mikel LeShoure rush over right guard for 3 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
MSU has everyone on the LOS. 58 Anderson is blocked by a WR. 34 Denson is blocked by the RT. 53 Jones reads and attacks the play, but the HB sees him and cuts back putting Jones out of hte play. 58 Anderson -1, 34 Denson -1 DM 11/39 Play and replays, ground level.
Illinois shows the swinging gate on the PAT but adjusts based on MSUs set. MSU does not go after the kick.
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 2 plays 30 yards, 00:37 ILL TD
1:30 3 4th and 2 MSU 41 Punt Return Punt Coverage Aaron Bates punt for 59 yards for a touchback.
Bates drops the ball at the 3 yard line but 37 Weaver gets all but tackled by the PR to prevent him from downing the ball.
1:15 3 1st and 10 ILL 20 Shotgun 3WR, 2HB 4-3 Juice Williams deep pass incomplete to Jeff Cumberland, broken up by Chris L. Rucker.
Wow. What a play by 29 Mr. Chris L. Rucker. No pressure from the d-line. Wow. Was that luck for MSU. 9 Ware had dropped coverage of his man who was wide open. MSU is lucky that the QB through it at Rucker. On the second replay, watch the right half of the screen for 9 Ware. 29 L. Rucker +2, 9 Ware -1, 58 Anderson -1, 99 Worth -1, 70 Wilson -1, 89 Neely -1 DM 12/40
1:08 3 2nd and 10 ILL 20 Shotgun 3WR, Trips R 4-3 Juice Williams sacked by Colin Neely and Trevor Anderson for a loss of 5 yards to the Illin 15.
89 Neely beats his man and devours the QB. 89 Neely +1 DM 13/41
0:33 3 3rd and 15 ILL 15 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Juice Williams sideline pass complete to Arrelious Benn for 8 yards to the Illin 23, tackled by Ross Weaver out-of-bounds.
MSU shows blitz by putting 2 LBs on the LOS along with the Nickel back. The CBs back off the line. All 6 go after the QB, no one gets there. The pass is in the flat and the coverage prevents the WR from getting the first down. 37 Weaver makes the tackle. 37 Weaver +1 DM 13/42
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 3 plays 3 yards, 01:21 ILL PUNT
12:17 4 4th and 4 ILL 46 Punt Return Punt Coverage Aaron Bates punt for 31 yards, returned by Jarred Fayson for 6 yards to the Illin 46, tackled by Marcus Hyde and Greg Jones, ILLINOIS penalty 10 yard IB on Aaron Gress accepted.
Bates has a nice punt but he kicked it a little too short and the coverage over ran the ball allowing the PR to get upfield.
12:07 4 1st and 10 ILL 11 Shotgun 4WR 4-3 Jason Ford rush left for 6 yards to the Illin 17, tackled by Danny Fortener and Brandon Denson out-of-bounds.
89 Neely is unblocked, but can not stop the QB from pitching the HB on the option. 34 Denson is blocked by a WR allowing the HB to turn upfield for yards. 33 Fortener makes a nice openfield takle. 33 Fortener +1, 34 Denson -1 DM 13/43
11:35 4 2nd and 4 ILL 17 ILLINOIS penalty 8 yard pass interference on Jason Ford accepted, no play.
11:00 4 2nd and 12 ILL 9 MICHIGAN ST penalty 5 yard offside on Trevor Anderson accepted.
Too bad it was on 99 Worthy. 99 Worthy -1
10:50 4 2nd and 7 ILL 14 Shotgun 3WR, 2HB 4-3 Juice Williams rush up the middle for 12 yards to the Illin 26, tackled by Greg Jones and Chris L. Rucker for a 1ST down.
93 Treadwell does not maintain his lane opening up room for the QB to run. 43 Gordon doesn't break down and allows the QB to cut behind him. I was going to compliment 29 L. Rucker, but he goes for a hit instead of tackling. 43 Gordon -1, 93 Treadwell -1 DM 13/44 Play and replay
10:16 4 1st and 10 ILL 26 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R 4-3 Juice Williams rush left for a loss of 1 yard to the Illin 25, tackled by Eric Gordon.
The DTs stunt. 93 Treadwell gets to the QB because of that, but misses the tackle. 43 Gordon avoids a tackler get a TFL. 43 Gordon +2, 93 Treadwell -1 DM 14/45
9:37 4 2nd and 11 ILL 25 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R 4-3 Juice Williams sideline pass complete to A.J. Jenkins for 6 yards to the Illin 31, tackled by Johnathan Strayhorn.
MSU blitzes 43 Gordon and 53 Jones and drops both DEs into zone coverage. 43 Gordon is picked up by the HB. The pass is into the flat where 34 Denson misses a tackle. 43 Gordon -1, 34 Denson -1 DM 14/46
9:00 4 3rd and 5 ILL 31 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Juice Williams sacked by Greg Jones for a loss of 6 yards to the Illin 25.
MSU is in a Cover 2 Zone. 58 Anderson splits the RG and RT forcing the QB to step up and into 53 Jones. 53 Jones +1, 58 Anderson +1 DM 15/47
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 5 plays 14 yards, 03:43 ILL PUNT
6:27 4 4th and 1 MSU 45 Punt Return Punt Coverage Aaron Bates punt for 30 yards, returned by Jarred Fayson for 5 yards to the Illin 30, tackled by Brandon Denson.
34 Denson does a great job of tracking the PR and making a tackle after only a short PR.
6:14 4 1st and 10 ILL 30 Shotgun 4WR 4-3 Juice Williams rush right for a loss of 5 yards to the Illin 25, tackled by Trevor Anderson.
The QB tripped over the foot of 58 Anderson. 58 Anderson +1 DM 16/48
5:48 4 2nd and 15 ILL 25 Shotgun 4WR Nickel Juice Williams sideline pass incomplete to Chris Duvalt.
MSU stunts 58 Anderson and 57 Strayhorn. The d-line gets no pressure and the QB just throws the ball poorly to the sideline. 54 Rolf -1, 58 Anderson -1, 57 Strayhorn -1, 53 Jones -1 DM 16/49
5:36 4 3rd and 15 ILL 25 Shotgun 4WR Nickel Juice Williams rush right for 11 yards to the Illin 36, tackled by Greg Jones and Trevor Anderson.
MSU only sends 3, but gets pressure with 58 Anderson beating the RT. The 3 man line allows a huge running lane for the QB to get a lot of yards. 58 Anderson +1 DM 16/50
4:55 4 4th and 4 ILL 36 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Mikel LeShoure rush left for 13 yards to the Illin 49, tackled by Danny Fortener out-of-bounds for a 1ST down.
54 Rolf is unblocked and forces the QB to pitch the ball. 43 Gordon gets blocked by a WR. 9 Ware gets blocked by a WR. 33 Fortener makes the tackle. 33 Fortener +1, 43 Gordon -1, 9 Ware -1 DM 16/51
4:35 4 1st and 10 ILL 49 Shotgun 4WR Unprepared Juice Williams deep pass incomplete to Jeff Cumberland.
MSU has players looking at the sideline on this play and doesn't call time out. The Seniors need to see this and get a TO called. The QB overthrows the WR. DM 16/52 Include Video
4:27 4 2nd and 10 ILL 49 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R Nickel Juice Williams crossing pass complete to Chris Duvalt for 12 yards to the MchSt 39, tackled by Jeremy Ware out-of-bounds for a 1ST down.
MSU blitzes 34 Denson out of the nickel package and he gets through quickly. Too bad the QB got the ball out to an open WR. 9 Ware should have had coverage but he was slow to react. 9 Ware -1 DM 16/53
4:09 4 1st and 10 MSU 39 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Juice Williams sideline pass incomplete to Jarred Fayson.
MSU stunts the DTs who get no where. The QB has time to throw but the throw is out of bounds. 29 L. Rucker had great coverage and jacks up the WR after the ball arrives. 29 L. Rucker +1, 53 Jones -1, 54 Rolf -1, 96 Pickelman -1, 93 Treadwell -1 DM 16/54 Include Replay
4:02 4 2nd and 10 MSU 39 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Juice Williams rush left for 5 yards to the MchSt 34, tackled by Eric Gordon.
MSU blitzes two LBs, but the play is away from the blitz. 43 Gordon avoids a WR block and makes the tackle. 43 Gordon +1 DM 16/55
3:38 4 3rd and 5 MSU 34 Shotgun 4WR, Trips R Nickel Juice Williams sideline pass incomplete to Chris Duvalt, hurried by Trevor Anderson.
MSU sends 2 LBs and CB on a blitz. The QB rolls away from the blitz. 58 Anderson and 29 L. Rucker are on him when the QB throws the ball away. 58 Anderson +1, 29 L. Rucker +1 DM 17/56
3:28 4 4th and 5 MSU 34 FG FG Block Matt Eller 51 yard field goal MISSED.
MSU does not attempt to block the kick. The kicker misses the FG.
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 10 plays 36 yards, 02:52 ILL FGA
2:26 4 4th and 2 MSU 42 Punt Return Punt Coverage Aaron Bates punt for 34 yards, returned by Jarred Fayson for 9 yards to the Illin 33, tackled by Andrew Hawken and Eric Gordon.
Illinois has a lot of blockers back allowing the PR to get the ball and start running. 96 Pickelman misses a tackle. Eventually Spartans swarm the PR and make the tackle. 96 Pickelman -1
2:14 4 1st and 10 ILL 33 Shotgun 4WR, Bunch R Nickel Juice Williams slant pass complete to Jack Ramsey for 8 yards to the Illin 41, tackled by Greg Jones.
MSU looks like they are in a prevent defense. The d-line starts to get penetration before the ball is away. The secondary allows the WR to catch the ball, then tackles him short of the first down keepign the clock running. DM 17/57
1:59 4 2nd and 2 ILL 41 Shotgun 4WR Nickel Juice Williams rush right for 4 yards to the Illin 45 for a 1ST down.
The QB has all day to throw. 80 Sims makes a nice spin move on the RT but can't get to the QB. The QB leaves the pocket and runs for a first down. I guess Sims is doing some time at DE. 80 Sims +1 DM 17/58
1:48 4 1st and 10 ILL 45 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Juice Williams crossing pass complete to Chris Duvalt for 14 yards to the MchSt 41, tackled by Greg Jones and Eric Gordon for a 1ST down.
There is no pressure and the QB gets the ball away to a WR who splits 53 Jones and 43 Gordon to get first down yardage. DM 17/59
1:34 4 1st and 10 MSU 41 Shotgun 4WR, Trips L Nickel Juice Williams screen pass complete to Mikel LeShoure for 41 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
MSU blitzes 53 Jones and the QB jsut dumps the ball to the HB in the flat who turns upfield, puts move on 34 Denson and goes into the endzone. 34 Denson -1 DM 17/60
DRIVE TOTALS: ILL drive: 4 plays 67 yards, 00:50 ILL TD

KJ's Defensive Metric

KJ had the super idea to come up with a new metric for the defense.  I included this as DM X/XX.  Whenever teh defense prevented the offense from gaining yardage the numerator is increased by 1.  Every defensive play increases the denominator.  So I saw against Illinois MSU disrupt 17 of 61 60 plays that Illinois ran.  KJ's analysis was 15/60. So, offhand I would say that just the box score is a very good comparison to what I saw on film.

Defensive Line
Player Plus Minus Total
70 Wilson 0 3 -3
58 Anderson 9 9 0
99 Worthy 4 5 -1
54 Rolf 1 6 -5
57 Strayhorn 0 4 -4
89 Neely 3 3 0
96 Pickelman 2 2 0
93 Treadwell 0 6 -6
80 Sims 1 0 1
Total 20 38 -18

Well, that's ugly.  Wilson was invisible all day.  Treadwell looks like he should have kept his readshirt, although this experience will help him a lot for next year so its probably a good idea to get him playing time.  The d-line was inconsistent.  A lot of time there was pressure and the disruption of plays in the backfield, but it was offset with no pressure and bad reads.  The line will need to be more consistent to beat better teams.

 

Linebackers
Player Plus Minus Total
53 Jones 6 9 -3
34 Denson 2 14 -12
43 Gordon 4 11 -7
55 Decker 1 3 -2
Total 13 37 -24

And even uglier.  The front seven played a bad game.  Jones once again has enough positive plays to show why he is up for so many awards.  Gordon continues to get hammered by blockers and it still looks like MSU throws whomever out for the 3rd LB. 

 

Secondary
Player Plus Minus Total
29 L. Rucker 8 1 7
11 Hyde 2 1 1
9 Ware 3 3 0
33 Fortener 10 2 8
38 KDC 1 0 1
39 Robinson 1 1 0
37 Weaver 1 0 1
Total 26 8 18

The secondary gets a lot of kudos from tackling everyone the front 7 missed.  Fortener had a huge game and the pick 6 ends up being the reason MSU gets a 10 point win rather than a nail biter.  29 Chris L. Rucker continues to kick butt all over the field.  He is MSU's best cover guy.

 

 

Defensive Formations
Formation Plays Yards Average 3rd Downs Conversions Yards 3rd and 7+
Base 4-3 37 114 3.1 2 0 -2 0/0
Nickel 3-3 20 148 7.4 11 3 51 2/7
4-3 Totals 79 253 3.2 8 3 59 0/0
3-3 Totals 38 262 6.9 20 7 120 6/15

 This is the totals from the last two games, Michigan and Illinois.  The average amount of yards MSU is giving up ond 3rd down against the Nickel is huge.  That includes incomplete passes.  The 60 yard TD pass Michigan had was on 3rd and 1 against the base defense accounting for most of the yards the defense has given up on 3rd down against the base defense.  The most troubling aspect of this for me is that teams are converting a lot of 3rd and longs.  The horribleness of the 3 man line is really showing and this is only accounting for two games.  I really can not understand why MSU would continue with this defensive set.

This is a FanPost, written by a member of the TOC community. It does not represent the official positions of The Only Colors, Inc.--largely because we have no official positions.