Shield Spartans: Week 9 Update

Quarterbacks

It was not a great day for the Washington football team as they ran into the buzz saw that is the New England Patriots. Kirk Cousins managed to not turn the ball over multiple times, which has plagued him in many of the team's losses but his completion percentage was just north of 50%. Cousins wasn't helped by his receivers as they dropped seven passes on the day, including the first pass of the game thrown by Cousins that was dropped by Pierre Garcon into the hands of a Patriots defender. Cousins' lone touchdown pass was a three yard toss to his tight end and Cousins was not the reason why Washington struggled on Sunday.

Also, Cousins was of course moved down the list of MSU Quarterback career touchdown passes, moving from first to second as Connor Cook is now the career leader. Weird, since there was no MSU football game this past week. Nope. No idea what you are talking about.

Brian Hoyer and the Houston Texans had the week off.

Running Backs

We knew with the absence of Matt Forte that Jeremy Langford was going to get a chance to shine in Chicago. And like the former MSU back did starting with his junior season, Langford seized his new found opportunity. Langford rang up 72 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown but possibly even more impressive was his 70 yards receiving on just three catches. If Langford can continue to show that versatility he may find a way to get touches even with the return of Forte. It was a great night for the rookie as the Bears are struggling through another bad season but got the win on Monday Night Football over 1st round Wisconsin Badgers' product Melvin Gordon and the San Diego Chargers 22-19.

Jeremy Langford lining up at WR, running a Fly route, and then making a leaping catch. He played some WR/CB at MSU https://t.co/V6Qc80lp1Q

— Breslin Birds (@BreslinBirds) November 10, 2015

Mark Dantonio was asked about Langford at his Tuesday press conference:

Everything I hear about Jeremy from the scouts and the different people I've talked to from the Bears are saying he's done a phenomenal job, not just in running the football and catching it, but showing up on special teams, work ethic, all the different things," Dantonio said of Langford, who served as MSU’s honorary captain for its Oct. 24 win over Indiana. "I'm glad that we were a part of that. He's done it himself. He changed it around. He really did.

Le'Veon Bell was of course not in action this weekend as he is out for the season.

Wide Receivers

Bennie Fowler was the only Spartans' receiver in action this weekend as Keshawn Martin was inactive with the Patriots while Keith Mumphery was on a bye week with the Texans. Fowler and the Denver Broncos lost to the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 and Fowler had two catches for 22 yards.

Tight Ends

This week the San Francisco 49ers dealt their starting tight end, Vernon Davis, to the Denver Broncos opening the door for Garrett Celek to make a bigger impact. Celek took advantage with two catches, but both those catches ended in the end zone for a total of 12 yards. Celek scored his first career touchdown earlier this season, so it's a pretty good day when you can score two in one game. Kellen Davis had an impact with the New York Jets on Sunday in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, he may not have caught any passes but he did recover a muffed punt. Dion Sims collected one catch for nine yards.

Offensive Line

Dan France is still on the Bengals practice squad.

Defensive Line

Will Gholston had three solo tackles on Sunday and was in on four more tackles. On the downside Gholston continued to struggle with discipline as he was flagged for a neutral zone infraction, his fifth penalty of the season, third highest on the Buccaneers.

Domata Peko had one solo tackle and as assist on Thursday Night Football as the Bengals stayed undefeated.

Linebackers

The Spartans had no former players in action at the linebacker position as Max Bullough was on a bye, Taiwan Jones and Marcus Rush are still on practice squads.

Defensive Secondary

Trae Waynes totaled three tackles and a pass break-up as he was given more defensive snaps this week in place for Terrence Newman who was injured during Sunday's win over the St. Louis Rams. Waynes was targeted four times allowing two receptions for just eight yards. It has been a tough first season for Waynes in the league, as he did not play on defense the past two weeks, but got a season high 31 snaps on Sunday. If Newman is unable to return from a concussion this week Waynes may continue to get extended playing time. Darqueze Dennard had a solo tackle for the Bengals. Trenton Robinson struggled to cover super tight end Rob Gronkowski and he didn't receive as many snaps but he did end up with four tackles. Kurtis Drummond was on a bye week with the Texans and Tony Lippett was inactive with the Miami Dolphins.