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Offensive Notebook: 5th different starting o-line?
Jim Comparoni
SpartanMag.com Publisher
EAST LANSING - Michigan State might be preparing to use its fifth different starting offensive line for Saturday's game at Michigan.
Or they might not.
Mark Dantonio gave no hints about the health and status of senior tri-captain center Jack Allen during the head coach's weekly press conference on Tuesday.
When asked if there is a chance that Allen won't play, Dantonio said: "Always a chance."
If Jack Allen (66) has to miss any time on Saturday, Brian Allen (65) will move to center.
When the question was rephrased, Dantonio said: "No, we don't talk about injuries. There is a chance he will play; there is always a chance. It's life."
Allen left Saturday's victory over Rutgers with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury, with less than two minutes remaining in the game. He was helped off the field while putting light weight on the ankle.
Allen, a finalist for the Rimington Trophy in 2014, also played left tackle in each of Michigan State's past two games, in replacing the injured Jack Conklin.
Allen and was listed as an either/or starter at center in Michigan State's official press release on Tuesday, with brother Brian Allen.
Conklin was listed as an either/or starter at left tackle along with Kodi Kieler.
Conklin has not played since going down with an apparent lower body injury during Michigan State's victory over Central Michigan on Sept. 26. His replacement, Dennis Finley, was lost for the year with a broken leg against Purdue on Oct. 10.
Michigan State has either/or candidates at all five offensive line positions in its official depth chart.
"There is no question that there are a lot of 'if' or 'or' type things on the depth chart, but until you practice throughout the week you really don't know where you're at," Dantonio said.
Shuffling Out Of Necessity
Michigan State has six offensive linemen that have played more than one o-line position this season.
"We've got guys that can move in and out of different positions, and we've tried to square it away during games when we've had to do it, or coming into the next game," Dantonio said. "(Offensive line coach)Mark Staten has done an excellent job, getting our guys ready, whole, part-whole. Our guys are in that room, submersed in that offensive line room. A guard will learn how to play tackle, a tackle will learn how to play guard; we will move people around to play center. We have four different people that have played center, so we've been able to adapt."
Preseason All-America candidate Jack Conklin is listed as a possibility to return to the lineup this Saturday at left tackle.
But they haven't been able to thrive. Michigan State's run game was adequate last week against Rutgers, especially in the game-winning drive, but not as forceful as the Spartans' ground game during high points of the 2013 and '14 season. MSU rushed for 132 yards on 38 carries against Rutgers.
Also, Michigan State struggled with slide protections and blitz pick-ups against Rutgers, especially when Brian Allen was at center rather than Jack. Michigan State must improve in that area against Michigan, which threatens and disguises quick-hitting blitzes better than any team in the Big Ten.
"You look at their defense from top to bottom, they're very talented, they have a great front seven," said quarterback Connor Cook. "Big, fast, defensive linemen who pressure the quarterback, get in the backfield and make tackles for losses, and they do a little bit more man coverage than they did last year, with the new d- coordinator from Florida (D.J. Durkin)."
Michigan ranks No. 2 in the nation in total defense, allowing just 181.3 yards per game.
"Last year they did a lot of cover-two, two-man, more zone coverage than man," Cook said. "Looking at the film this year they do a lot more man coverage, cover-one, and they lock the guys up on the back end.
"Their linebackers, similar to the ones they had last year. They got three returning guys, and they're active, they run from sideline-to-sideline, make tackles, fly to the ball.
"But, you know, it's why we come to a school like this. We look forward to it, and we're just going to strive for greatness each and every week and just put our best foot forward."
Donavon Clark has flourished at right guard and right tackle for the Spartans. He began the year as a right guard. He moved to right tackle when Kieler went down with an injury in the Oregon game.
Clark was outstanding against Rutgers. His best plays included pulling, turning the corner and leveling a linebacker on Cook's power read keeper on a third-and-three in the first half. Also, Clark wasn't guilty of any of the pressures or hits on Cook on Saturday, and moved nicely (although crossing his feet) to stay with feared designated pass rusher Turay Kemoko on a fourth-and-11 conversion in the first half.
Michigan ranks No. 8 in the Big Ten in sacks. Its two best sack men penetrate from the inside, as defensive tackles Willie Henry (four sacks) and Maurice Hurst (three sacks) lead the team in that category.
"All of the film I've watched, I would say this is the best defense that they've had so far," Clark said. "They play very hard, they are very technique-sound in what they. It just shows how much better we have to be as an offense."
Clark made the first start of his career as a redshirt freshman at left tackle at Michigan in 2012, subbing for the injured Dan France. The 2012 Spartan offensive line was also riddled by injuries throughout the year.
"I remember that Thursday, before we left on that Friday, coach pulled me out before the meeting started and said, 'Donavon, you're about to get your first start,'" Clark said. "So I was like a little nervous at first, but at the same time I did what I had to do and ever since then I've been able to just develop, on and off the field."
Michigan won that game 12-10 on a last-minute field goal. It marked the only time since 2007 that Michigan has beaten Michigan State.
Michigan played at Michigan State in each of the past two seasons. That's the only trip to Michigan Stadium that current Spartans have made.
Dantonio was asked if it's motivation for seniors to win at Michigan Stadium, where they have yet to win in their careers.
"Retribution is not the reason we play in these games," Dantonio said sternly. "We're always looking forward. I think we have won a lot of football games, I don't think they're dwelling on that one, 2-point deal."
Price Ready To Return?
Elsewhere, junior tight end Josiah Price is listed as an either/or starter, along with Jamal Lyles and Paul Lang. Price has been out since the Central Michigan game.
Price was available for last week's game against Rutgers but Michigan State was able to hold him out.
Price is Cook's favorite target in the red zone. He had seven catches through the first four games, four of which have gone for touchdowns.
Williams For London?
Running back Madre London is listed as an either/or starter at tailback along with LJ Scott. London went down with a lower body injury in the second half of the Rutgers game. Dantonio said Scott was held out of the first half due to a knee ailment.
Scott leads the team in rushing with 418 yards, and in yards-per-carry at 6.0.
With London out, Dantonio activated junior running back Delton Williams and inserted him into the game. Williams missed spring practice and part of August camp due to a road rage incident in March during which he brandished a hand gun. After ending Williams' suspension in August, Dantonio considered keeping Williams on the bench as a redshirt all year, but changed his mind after London went down with the injury.
Williams carried two times for six yards against Rutgers.
Williams (6-1, 228, Erie, Pa.) ranked third on the team in rushing in 2013 and '14, and led the team each year in yards per carry. He has 560 career rushing yards.
"I think you will see him in the mix on special teams and, you know, we'll see him in the mix as a running back as well," Dantonio said. "Depends on how he plays and how he's practicing, how much we will see him. That decision was made based on the situation in the game and everything that was going on. I thought it was the right decision to make."
Offensive Notebook: 5th different starting o-line?
Jim Comparoni
SpartanMag.com Publisher
EAST LANSING - Michigan State might be preparing to use its fifth different starting offensive line for Saturday's game at Michigan.
Or they might not.
Mark Dantonio gave no hints about the health and status of senior tri-captain center Jack Allen during the head coach's weekly press conference on Tuesday.
When asked if there is a chance that Allen won't play, Dantonio said: "Always a chance."
If Jack Allen (66) has to miss any time on Saturday, Brian Allen (65) will move to center.
When the question was rephrased, Dantonio said: "No, we don't talk about injuries. There is a chance he will play; there is always a chance. It's life."
Allen left Saturday's victory over Rutgers with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury, with less than two minutes remaining in the game. He was helped off the field while putting light weight on the ankle.
Allen, a finalist for the Rimington Trophy in 2014, also played left tackle in each of Michigan State's past two games, in replacing the injured Jack Conklin.
Allen and was listed as an either/or starter at center in Michigan State's official press release on Tuesday, with brother Brian Allen.
Conklin was listed as an either/or starter at left tackle along with Kodi Kieler.
Conklin has not played since going down with an apparent lower body injury during Michigan State's victory over Central Michigan on Sept. 26. His replacement, Dennis Finley, was lost for the year with a broken leg against Purdue on Oct. 10.
Michigan State has either/or candidates at all five offensive line positions in its official depth chart.
"There is no question that there are a lot of 'if' or 'or' type things on the depth chart, but until you practice throughout the week you really don't know where you're at," Dantonio said.
Shuffling Out Of Necessity
Michigan State has six offensive linemen that have played more than one o-line position this season.
"We've got guys that can move in and out of different positions, and we've tried to square it away during games when we've had to do it, or coming into the next game," Dantonio said. "(Offensive line coach)Mark Staten has done an excellent job, getting our guys ready, whole, part-whole. Our guys are in that room, submersed in that offensive line room. A guard will learn how to play tackle, a tackle will learn how to play guard; we will move people around to play center. We have four different people that have played center, so we've been able to adapt."
Preseason All-America candidate Jack Conklin is listed as a possibility to return to the lineup this Saturday at left tackle.
But they haven't been able to thrive. Michigan State's run game was adequate last week against Rutgers, especially in the game-winning drive, but not as forceful as the Spartans' ground game during high points of the 2013 and '14 season. MSU rushed for 132 yards on 38 carries against Rutgers.
Also, Michigan State struggled with slide protections and blitz pick-ups against Rutgers, especially when Brian Allen was at center rather than Jack. Michigan State must improve in that area against Michigan, which threatens and disguises quick-hitting blitzes better than any team in the Big Ten.
"You look at their defense from top to bottom, they're very talented, they have a great front seven," said quarterback Connor Cook. "Big, fast, defensive linemen who pressure the quarterback, get in the backfield and make tackles for losses, and they do a little bit more man coverage than they did last year, with the new d- coordinator from Florida (D.J. Durkin)."
Michigan ranks No. 2 in the nation in total defense, allowing just 181.3 yards per game.
"Last year they did a lot of cover-two, two-man, more zone coverage than man," Cook said. "Looking at the film this year they do a lot more man coverage, cover-one, and they lock the guys up on the back end.
"Their linebackers, similar to the ones they had last year. They got three returning guys, and they're active, they run from sideline-to-sideline, make tackles, fly to the ball.
"But, you know, it's why we come to a school like this. We look forward to it, and we're just going to strive for greatness each and every week and just put our best foot forward."
Donavon Clark has flourished at right guard and right tackle for the Spartans. He began the year as a right guard. He moved to right tackle when Kieler went down with an injury in the Oregon game.
Clark was outstanding against Rutgers. His best plays included pulling, turning the corner and leveling a linebacker on Cook's power read keeper on a third-and-three in the first half. Also, Clark wasn't guilty of any of the pressures or hits on Cook on Saturday, and moved nicely (although crossing his feet) to stay with feared designated pass rusher Turay Kemoko on a fourth-and-11 conversion in the first half.
Michigan ranks No. 8 in the Big Ten in sacks. Its two best sack men penetrate from the inside, as defensive tackles Willie Henry (four sacks) and Maurice Hurst (three sacks) lead the team in that category.
"All of the film I've watched, I would say this is the best defense that they've had so far," Clark said. "They play very hard, they are very technique-sound in what they. It just shows how much better we have to be as an offense."
Clark made the first start of his career as a redshirt freshman at left tackle at Michigan in 2012, subbing for the injured Dan France. The 2012 Spartan offensive line was also riddled by injuries throughout the year.
"I remember that Thursday, before we left on that Friday, coach pulled me out before the meeting started and said, 'Donavon, you're about to get your first start,'" Clark said. "So I was like a little nervous at first, but at the same time I did what I had to do and ever since then I've been able to just develop, on and off the field."
Michigan won that game 12-10 on a last-minute field goal. It marked the only time since 2007 that Michigan has beaten Michigan State.
Michigan played at Michigan State in each of the past two seasons. That's the only trip to Michigan Stadium that current Spartans have made.
Dantonio was asked if it's motivation for seniors to win at Michigan Stadium, where they have yet to win in their careers.
"Retribution is not the reason we play in these games," Dantonio said sternly. "We're always looking forward. I think we have won a lot of football games, I don't think they're dwelling on that one, 2-point deal."
Price Ready To Return?
Elsewhere, junior tight end Josiah Price is listed as an either/or starter, along with Jamal Lyles and Paul Lang. Price has been out since the Central Michigan game.
Price was available for last week's game against Rutgers but Michigan State was able to hold him out.
Price is Cook's favorite target in the red zone. He had seven catches through the first four games, four of which have gone for touchdowns.
Williams For London?
Running back Madre London is listed as an either/or starter at tailback along with LJ Scott. London went down with a lower body injury in the second half of the Rutgers game. Dantonio said Scott was held out of the first half due to a knee ailment.
Scott leads the team in rushing with 418 yards, and in yards-per-carry at 6.0.
With London out, Dantonio activated junior running back Delton Williams and inserted him into the game. Williams missed spring practice and part of August camp due to a road rage incident in March during which he brandished a hand gun. After ending Williams' suspension in August, Dantonio considered keeping Williams on the bench as a redshirt all year, but changed his mind after London went down with the injury.
Williams carried two times for six yards against Rutgers.
Williams (6-1, 228, Erie, Pa.) ranked third on the team in rushing in 2013 and '14, and led the team each year in yards per carry. He has 560 career rushing yards.
"I think you will see him in the mix on special teams and, you know, we'll see him in the mix as a running back as well," Dantonio said. "Depends on how he plays and how he's practicing, how much we will see him. That decision was made based on the situation in the game and everything that was going on. I thought it was the right decision to make."
