Here is Max DeMara taking another shot as a guest author...and doing a very good job.
Â
Spartans Find a New Way to Win
Â
By Max DeMara
Â
Michigan State didn’t set the world on fire with their win over the Pitt Panthers on Saturday afternoon. They didn’t score tons of points or pound their opponent into the ground. However, they did something which in the past may have been impossible. They did just enough.
Â
If Spartan fans were getting nervous in the fourth quarter, you can forgive them. After all, we have seen it happen. Games lost that should have been won due to mistakes down the stretch had become a mainstay, until Saturday afternoon.
Â
Yet again it was the Spartan defense that led the ferocious charge, picking up an offense that had an up and down day. The defensive unit turned back the Panthers attempt after attempt in the fourth quarter while they were trying to take the lead. The Spartans came through with key sacks and turnovers. They were in the face of Pitt quarterback Kevan Smith all day long, taking away any semblance of a passing game. In the second half, Pitt was forced to shift to a direct snap offense with running back LeSean McCoy. Though it presented problems, the Spartans were able to adjust just enough to be successful. When Pitt was again forced to pass on the game’s final drive, they stalled but still gave a final scare. Their Hail Mary barely fell harmlessly incomplete in the end zone. On this day, just enough was enough and more.
Â
For the still undefeated Spartans, this win was a true character builder. The team came together in a new way yesterday. Game changing players have emerged, such as Jonal Saint-Dic on the defensive line and Travis Key in the secondary. One of the heartbeats of the unit, Otis Wiley, once again showed the raw on field passion needed to inspire his teammates. The defense is stepping up, making plays and at the same time, having some fun. As the team celebrated with the students, joy could be seen in the faces of all the players. The Spartans have been playing like little kids full of love for the game. Where smiles and laughs are found, success is often right around the corner.
Â
Make no mistake; the road now gets tougher for Michigan State. Nobody can deny that next weekend’s game is dangerous despite Notre Dame’s recent struggles. The Spartans must remain focused and mentally tough in order to continue their winning ways for the next few weeks.
Â
Coach Mark Dantonio often talks about fighting through adversity in order to taste success. There will be plenty of adversity in the future for this team, but for the time being, when adversity has stared them down, this version of the Spartans has not blinked. Some days, doing just enough is doing it all.
Add us as a preferred source on Google