Political Education

Matt Charboneau / The Detroit News

East Lansing Edwin Baker came into this season with some lofty goals.

He said last spring he wanted for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns to rush things.

Through five games, he had yet to be shown on the break which led to over 1200 meters and 13 touchdowns in 2010.

On Saturday against Michigan, which changed everything.

Baker carried 26 times for 167 yards and a touchdown in No. 23 Michigan State 28-14 victory over No. 11 Michigan at Spartan Stadium.

“I think I was waiting for a game like this to showcase what I can do, and show last year was not a mistake,” said Baker. “Our offensive line did a great job today and all I did for them.”

Baker has the Spartans and I’m early, picking up to 49 yards on their opening drive and the top hit with a stroke of a yard.

He finished the half with 71 yards in front of which more than doubled in the second half. It was exactly the game that he needed and he came at the right time, he said.

“I would not say I was frustrated, but it was sometimes difficult to know that I was better than what I do,” he said. “This game is happening my best game and I can build on this game and move forward.”

The Spartans finished the game with 213 rush yards, their highest total of the season.

And that the last indication of their young offensive line had started to gather.

“I think it’s a testament to the young people they came in and played like veterans,” senior guard Joel Foreman said. “I know it’s only half of the season, but playing in a game like that with the hype and the atmosphere is a difficult thing to play at this level. It is a testament to the unity of the offensive line and how we together . come “

In force Saturday play won the team that ran for more yards 38 of 41 previous matches. The trend continued as Michigan won only 82 meters.

The breakout game with Baker, was a big difference in the game.

“Of course it is very important,” said Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio. “We could not stay there and be one-dimensional. We had to be able to run the football. ‘Rock’ (Baker) was obtained in the area and was very effective. We could more effectively with the ball over enough for the down and to keep a distance in our favor. ”
Bravo for Cousins

Quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​has to fight a lot of heat this season, especially after Michigan State to score two weeks ago against Ohio State.

But against Michigan, Cousins ​​was the perfect game manager. And it was done under conditions that were anything but ideal.

He was 13-for-24 for 120 yards and two touchdowns in winds that were over 40 mph gusts.

“It was very hard,” Cousins ​​said in the stiff breeze to throw. “In warm-up I’ve tried to get a feel for the wind. The hard thing was there was never a uniform wind, where you know what you get. It was blowing and swirling and difficult to understand where he came from. to appeal that affected the game and something like that. “

Cousins ​​was effective, however, and not turn the ball over.

He even drew praise from his own defensive coordinator.

“Kirk Cousins, this guy is a machine,” said Pat Narduzzi. “They do not give enough credit,” This guy is a football player. Kirk Cousins ​​was on fire, the offensive line has blocked the hell of people. Everyone did his job. ”
Flags flew

Michigan State will not win many games committing 13 penalties, but that’s exactly what he did Saturday.

The Spartans were 13 times for 124 yards, including five reported foul calls persona, while Michigan had only five penalties for 40 yards.

“We had too many penalties, of course,” said Dantonio. “Some of them, I do not know. You guys can call them. I think it was a football game played right, a football game played hard. There was stubbornness on both sides.”

Narduzzi was a little more direct in their interpretation of certain calls.

“We do not want 15 meters and do not want to hurt somebody,” he said. “We believe that bad (Denard Robinson) was on the ground at the end of it. I do not see it, I was looking downfield and I do not know if it was already late, but everyone tells me that it’s not too late. But We do not need the 15 yarder. We are a disciplined class football team and we have not done that all year. I do not know if they just tried to go back to protect the quarterback, you know, we thought (Donovan) McNabb today or something, I do not know. aggressive acts are not bad, but when they do come too late, I’m going crazy. ”
Bit by bit

The wind was a factor, cousins ​​to throw the ball and it certainly came into play in the offensive game plan.

“I think, for two quarters, one can say that we had the wind, and there were two quarters of course, where we not only have no place on the ground, but we have against the wind” insulting, the coordinator Dan Roushar words. “It makes sense. He had had an impact, and I’m sure he also has an influence on them.”
Extra Points

The time has no effect on the 19, Andrew Johnson.

The second album from Hudsonville Michigan State took a 40-yard between the third and fourth quarter Saturday and took on a new GMC Acadia is $ 32 605th

… The receiver Bennie Fowler saw his first action of the season, always run in the game and end around 6 meters in the first half.

… The state of Michigan has now won both Michigan and Ohio State in the same season for the first time since 1999.

… Cousins ​​was in the first quarter of MSU to play three times in Michigan. He has also tied with Jeff Smoker most wins (21) in the history of MSU.

… In the last two games, Michigan has 16 sacks and 23 losses for attacks.