NDL: S31W3 - Michigan State (42) at Stanford (52)
2/3 of a game is better, but not enough
Article By: Week 1 saw a slow start doom the Spartans.
In week 2 we saw a fast start and an utter failure in the 2nd half.
Now in week 3 we tried something new, a slow start, and some auto erotic asphyxiation in the final couple minutes of the game.
The game began about as bad as it can, with the zero mojo on offense, run blocking wasn't there, receivers weren't getting getting open, and the defense was constantly a step behind on most everything the Stanford offense tried.
This made it 0-24 early in the 2nd quarter, and the risk of being 35 pointed was very real.
But QB Aidan Chiles kept his composure, and we kept trying to run the ball, and finally a scoring drive materialized with RB Nathan Carter finally getting Sparty on the board. The bad times on defense were not over though, as the literal next play saw the MSU LBs all fail their run fits, and 84 yards later the Stanford RB sauntered into the endzone to put the home team back on top by 24 points.
Sparty would answer though, chew up most of the rest of the quarter, converting a few key 3rd downs and ending with a sneak from less than a yard out by Chiles. Stanford would hit a quick plays to attempt a FG, but it came up short.
The 3rd quarter began with a methodical drive that seemed to stall out at midfield, but a huge fake punt saw seldom used FB Jay Coyne break of a 20+ yard play and ignite the Spartans sideline. Two plays later Carter found the endzone again, and suddenly it was a game again.
On the ensuing Stanford possession defensive leader Wayne Matthews Iii ripped the ball from the Stanford ball carrier setting the Sparty offense up at their opponents 45. A few moments later a big conversion by Carter on 4th and 1 from the 18 kept the drive alive, setting up a middle screen to RB Kay'ron Lynch-Adams that ended in the endzone, as the gap closed to 3 points.
Things were looking good, too good one might say, so you can guess what happened the very next play. Stanford hands the ball off, Michigan State LBs jump right into the arms of the nearest blockers and 83 yards later Stanford leads by 10 again.
This is honestly when I expected us to crumble. But Chiles showed leadership, and converted 2 3rd and longs to setup a short FG attempt, which if you've seen any of my games.........you know I was going to miss, and I did. So not crumbling, but sure seemed to be cracking at this point.
But the Sparty defense finally did something good, and forced a 3 and out.
Suddenly WR Nick Marsh came alive, making a contested catch for a 29 yard gain, and the very next play from 40 yards out he separated from the CB and found paydirt to cut the deficit back to 3.
Two plays later the Spartan defense would step up again, with LB Darius Snow getting underneath a sideline route and getting ball back at the Stanford 31. From there it took only 3 plays, as Chiles called a keeper and went in from 9 yards out to improbably give the visitors the lead at 41-38.
Now seemingly one more stop would win the game, and we had our chances, dropping a potential pick near midfield with just over 2 minutes to play. But Stanford would convert a 3rd and 7, 3rd and 10, and finally a 4th and goal from the 4 as their TE made a touch catch with just over 30 seconds to play.
Now with less than 30 seconds to work with, Chiles (me) made a couple of wrong reads, and the 2nd resulted in a pick that all but ended the game.
*I'm certain there are grammatical errors, maybe I'll fix them later, thanks for reading.
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