Mississippi State on containing Michigan's Denard Robinson: Never take a play off
Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton (2) struggles to ward off a tackle by Mississippi State linebacker Chris White (50) earlier this season. Although Auburn won, 17-14 and the defense almost shut down Auburn's Heisman winning quarterback.
Associated Press
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State's defense was among the best in the Southeastern Conference this season, and one of the few that actually slowed Heisman-winning quarterback Cameron Newton.
So if the Bulldogs can contain Newton, they can surely handle Michigan's Denard Robinson, right?
Not necessarily.
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said both are fantastic players, but comparing the two isn't particularly useful as the 21st-ranked Bulldogs (8-4) prepare to face Michigan (7-5) on Jan. 1 in the Gator Bowl.
"I think (Robinson) is quicker, faster — a little more elusive," Mullen said. "He doesn't have the size to run between the tackles, but he's a good physical player. What makes him dangerous is when he gets into the open field — see you later."
The Bulldogs held Newton to 136 yards passing and 70 yards rushing in Auburn's 17-14 victory on Sept. 9. The quarterback struggled to find running room the entire game as MSU swarmed him, using three or four players to drag his 6-foot-6, 250-pound body to the ground.
Though that relative success against such a talented player might breed some confidence, Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said Auburn and Michigan run very different versions of the spread offense and Robinson is used far more as a runner.
Robinson ran for 1,643 yards (136.9 yards per game) and 14 touchdowns for the Wolverines, who averaged 34.3 points per game. He topped 100 yards rushing in nine out of 12 games, and topped the 200-mark twice. Listed at 6-feet tall and 193 pounds, he's much smaller than Newton, but also much faster.
Mullen said Robinson can run "a legit 4.3" in the 40-yard dash. Then the coach broke into a wry smile, thinking back to his days on the recruiting trail.
"I know that because I timed him at a camp when he was in high school," Mullen said.
The Bulldogs have used shifty freshman Jameon Lewis, who is redshirting this season, to simulate Robinson during practice over the past few weeks. Diaz says Lewis has some good moves, but there's no comparing him to what the Bulldogs will see on New Year's Day.
"It's no secret who's going to run the ball, and we've got to be ready to go," Diaz said. "I think our guys feel good about their run defense, but boy, if we make a mistake — look out."
Diaz said one similarity between stopping Newton and Robinson is that gang tackling is a must.
"We can't let there be a lot of one-on-one tackles with Denard Robinson — that's playing Russian roulette," Diaz said.
Sophomore cornerback Johnthan Banks said Robinson is impressive on film, but the Bulldogs are used to going against running quarterbacks. On top of their success against Newton, MSU also contained Mississippi dual-threat quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in a 31-23 win to cap the regular season.
They see one every day in practice as well — Chris Relf rushed for 683 yards and four touchdowns this season for the Bulldogs.
"It's all about getting your eyes in the right place and never taking a play off," Banks said. "Our coaches have a great plan in place. We have the athletes to handle everything. Now we just have to be disciplined and do what we're supposed to do. If we can do that, I have no doubt we'll win."
The Bulldogs had a Tuesday morning practice, and then Mullen released the players until Dec. 26, when the team is scheduled to report in Jacksonville, Fla. It's the first bowl for Mississippi State since 2007 and only the second in a decade.
"This is all like a dream come true," Banks said. "You dream of playing big-time games like this against teams like Michigan. We really want to take advantage of this opportunity."
Comments
Sean T.
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 : 2:42 a.m.
Trublu, For the record, you're an amateur opinion was posted as well.
missionbrazil
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 2:37 p.m.
The1Cool "While our defense is pretty bad we haven't faced such a one-dimensional offense." I wouldn't sell MSU so short; they are not as one-dimensional as you say. Even if they were 1 dimensional, they may have the ability to run the ball down our throats. Our D and special teams probably will be the problem again, and many of us are not expecting too much different than what we have already seen throughout this season. "With bowl games you never know b/c teams have so long to prepare and make improvements or get rusty from a lack of competition." Do I detect an early excuse already for if we do not win this game? For the record I'll be rooting for our team and all the players, but I too am not expecting too much.
tulsatom
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.
Miss State has the gameplan to stop Denard and the athletes to successfully implement the plan. All they would've had to have done is watch the games that U-M played against MSU, OSU, and other top-tier Big Ten teams and come up with something similar. U-M will have to have a more balanced attack to win this one with Denard having a good passing game and other players (like the running backs and receivers) stepping up and having the best game of their young careers, as well as the defense playing better than they have all year. Can U-M upset Miss State? Yup. Will they? Probably not, although I will be rooting for U-M. I will never root against the Wolverines ever regardless of who is coach. I think Brandon has already made his decision about RR's future and is just waiting for the bowl game to be over to announce it.
jcj
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 9:01 a.m.
@DonAZ and Mick "If I knew for sure we're firing RR even with a win than I would root my brains out" Root for whoever you want because who YOU root for does not make even the slightest difference!
Blu-n-Tpa
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 8:14 a.m.
This is how I think about this Michigan team. IT'S MY TEAM! It's not RR's or DB's. It was my team before they got here, even before DB got here, and I'm NOT going to let some temporary downturn in the record change that. Although I understand that some fans feel rooting for this specific team is the same as cheering for RR, I don't. The team didn't chose it's COACHING staff and it's not the players fault if they aren't PPEPARE properly. Now if DB is waiting to see how RR does before he dicides if he is going to keep him or not, then cheering for or against the TEAM doesn't matter. The problem is bigger than we think and DB and RR will lead Michigan football into a prolong slow-motion train wreck like we've witnessed over the last 3 years. But, I don't think that's going to happen. The bottom line, for me, is the players are Michigan football. Bad COACHING and/or bad administration isn't likely to change that. So, GO BLUE.
Mick
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 2:52 a.m.
that was supposed to say coming from me sorry again for the bad spelling and grammar, Lol! Wow, see that, I can take responsibility for a mistake, hey RR take notes, see that's how it works, when you err you face up to it, simple!!!
Mick
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 2:47 a.m.
DonAZ, unfortunately I feel the same apathetic way about this game. If you knew me you would what an incredible comment that is comming from. I usually am so looking forward to and rooting for U-M in bowl games, but this year, I don't know. If I knew for sure we're firing RR even with a win than I would root my brains out. But if winning means we might give this joke of coach another chance, well I'm sorry, I can't get too excited about it, sorry everybody.
3 And Out
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 2:12 a.m.
Poll 1: In what quarter will D Rob get injured and miss his customary time *which happens every game because RR runs him 25 times in addition to his passes. He is all we have, due to RRs inability to recruit a whole offensive team and implement a balanced, winning system. Poll 2: How many Garbage Time yds and points do we score after the game is out of hand by half time *which happens every time we play a decent opponent *except OSU who were too good to allow us much Garbage Time bonus stats? Will these satisfy the Koolaid Crew and be their win...on New Years day?
DonAZ
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 1:48 a.m.
We'll see on January 1st. And afterwards. What will be will be.
The1Cool
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 12:23 a.m.
Your post is sad DonAZ. There are over 100 kids on the team putting in the work to represent themselves, the conference/state etc. and people like you root against them cause you don't like RR. While our defense is pretty bad we haven't faced such a one-dimensional offense. With bowl games you never know b/c teams have so long to prepare and make improvements or get rusty from a lack of competition. Michigan or Miss St could show up vastly improved in an area considered a weakness, you never know. I'll be rooting for my team.
DonAZ
Wed, Dec 22, 2010 : 9:51 p.m.
They'll contain Robinson. Others have; they will too. The game plan is pretty simple -- crowd the line and force Robinson to beat you in the air. On a good day he can. On an average day he can not. Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio State proved that. I hate to root against Michigan but in this case I must. If Michigan wins -- even with luck -- Rodriguez comes back and we have another mediocre year. 8-4 at best, with losses to the best teams in the Big 10. The same excuses will flow -- the team is young, injuries, blah, blah, blah. Everyone one day realizes there's a limit to their ability. Rodriguez is expriencing that now.
Sean T.
Wed, Dec 22, 2010 : 6:23 p.m.
I just don't believe we have a shot in this game. It's not because MSU is so great, it's because they actually play defense and have proved it on the field. They have the horses defensively and they know it is all about Denard running the ball. If they force Denard to pass, MSU will win, even with their average offense.