[burger]

I still say that going for the FG at the end, instead of going for it on 4th down, was the nail in the coffin.  The odds of getting 3ish yards on 4th down had to be much greater than the odds of getting the FG (likely not a sure thing), preventing MSU from scoring another TD, and scoring another TD.

But, yes, we were dominated on both sides of the ball.  And outcoached, too.

[burger]

I still say that going for the FG at the end, instead of going for it on 4th down, was the nail in the coffin.  The odds of getting 3ish yards on 4th down had to be much greater than the odds of getting the FG (likely not a sure thing), preventing MSU from scoring another TD, and scoring another TD.

But, yes, we were dominated on both sides of the ball.  And outcoached, too.

[martyup]

Disappointing game.  We could have won this game, but MSU did outplay us tonight.  Still, our Cardinal football team are Champions and I am very proud of them.  I wish the best of luck to the seniors at the next level of football or whatever life brings them.

[martyup]

Disappointing game.  We could have won this game, but MSU did outplay us tonight.  Still, our Cardinal football team are Champions and I am very proud of them.  I wish the best of luck to the seniors at the next level of football or whatever life brings them.

[Leftcoast]

We didn't make the plays when we needed to and the Spartans did.  Sometimes you just have to congratulate the other guy.

Dang it.

[Leftcoast]

We didn't make the plays when we needed to and the Spartans did.  Sometimes you just have to congratulate the other guy.

Dang it.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Absolutely horrible call to kick the FG. Anyway congrats to MSU

[AthleticsDynasty]

Absolutely horrible call to kick the FG. Anyway congrats to MSU

[JohnR34231]

The most important factors in losing this game were getting destroyed at LOS and losing field position. However that's not generally a problem so probably doesn't need to be addressed. The secondary was poor and that's concerning.

On the other hand inability to throw intermediate has been an issue all year. That's something Shaw needs to correct. Whether it's better scheme or a different QB, not sure.

(There were some suspect playcalls. But I don't think that's among the most important, to be sure.)

I think the point is that when you are getting destroyed at the line of scrimmage, you try something else, rather than continuing to bat your head into a brick wall.

[JohnR34231]

The most important factors in losing this game were getting destroyed at LOS and losing field position. However that's not generally a problem so probably doesn't need to be addressed. The secondary was poor and that's concerning.

On the other hand inability to throw intermediate has been an issue all year. That's something Shaw needs to correct. Whether it's better scheme or a different QB, not sure.

(There were some suspect playcalls. But I don't think that's among the most important, to be sure.)

I think the point is that when you are getting destroyed at the line of scrimmage, you try something else, rather than continuing to bat your head into a brick wall.

[JeffInCorvallis]

Michigan State stuffed Gaffney most of the night and except for a few long passes we really didn't have an answer in the passing game.  The lack of a passing game has been there all season but really showed up tonight.  Also we got dominated at the line of scrimmage which I haven't seen all season (maybe U.S.C. game).  Now we see a little bit of what it's like when other teams play us.  Both teams were ineffective on the ground and MSU had the better QB today.

Great season.  Looking forward to next year.

[JeffInCorvallis]

Michigan State stuffed Gaffney most of the night and except for a few long passes we really didn't have an answer in the passing game.  The lack of a passing game has been there all season but really showed up tonight.  Also we got dominated at the line of scrimmage which I haven't seen all season (maybe U.S.C. game).  Now we see a little bit of what it's like when other teams play us.  Both teams were ineffective on the ground and MSU had the better QB today.

Great season.  Looking forward to next year.

[PrinceLightfoot]

Still feeling a little sick over that loss, but the Michigan State run defense was excellent between the tackles. They truly were a wall. We we didn't run to the edges more is quite baffling.

We didn't execute well on several offensive plays and two interceptions that didn't happen ended in scores proved fatal.

Nonetheless, it's not a bad loss. We really need an intermediate passing game or teams will attack us like Mich. State and USC did this past year. We really need those rising redshirt freshman to step up for us in this area next year.

[PrinceLightfoot]

Still feeling a little sick over that loss, but the Michigan State run defense was excellent between the tackles. They truly were a wall. We we didn't run to the edges more is quite baffling.

We didn't execute well on several offensive plays and two interceptions that didn't happen ended in scores proved fatal.

Nonetheless, it's not a bad loss. We really need an intermediate passing game or teams will attack us like Mich. State and USC did this past year. We really need those rising redshirt freshman to step up for us in this area next year.

[Rando]

Wayne Lyons and coach Shaw I think were two big factors in this loss today.  Our oline push wasn't good against their dominating d But our coaching was too slow to adapt.

[Rando]

Wayne Lyons and coach Shaw I think were two big factors in this loss today.  Our oline push wasn't good against their dominating d But our coaching was too slow to adapt.

[82 Card]

Wayne Lyons and coach Shaw I think were two big factors in this loss today.  Our oline push wasn't good against their dominating d But our coaching was too slow to adapt.

I'm not sure we had the tools to adapt. There's pleanty of work to be done in the off season. In addition to replacing departures, we need to improve in our intermediate passing game on both sides of the ball. The team was stellar at pass defense in much of the game. Lots of coverage sacks. But that fell appart at crunch time. The offense didn't really have an intermediate threat.

[82 Card]

Wayne Lyons and coach Shaw I think were two big factors in this loss today.  Our oline push wasn't good against their dominating d But our coaching was too slow to adapt.

I'm not sure we had the tools to adapt. There's pleanty of work to be done in the off season. In addition to replacing departures, we need to improve in our intermediate passing game on both sides of the ball. The team was stellar at pass defense in much of the game. Lots of coverage sacks. But that fell appart at crunch time. The offense didn't really have an intermediate threat.

[ChicagoCard]

Michigan State stuffed Gaffney most of the night and except for a few long passes we really didn't have an answer in the passing game.  The lack of a passing game has been there all season but really showed up tonight.  Also we got dominated at the line of scrimmage which I haven't seen all season (maybe University of Second Choice. game).  Now we see a little bit of what it's like when other teams play us.  Both teams were ineffective on the ground and MSU had the better QB today.

Great season.  Looking forward to next year.

Great post. Spot on. I'm looking forward to next year too and also hope Montgomery's injury is not acl.

[ChicagoCard]

Michigan State stuffed Gaffney most of the night and except for a few long passes we really didn't have an answer in the passing game.  The lack of a passing game has been there all season but really showed up tonight.  Also we got dominated at the line of scrimmage which I haven't seen all season (maybe University of Second Choice. game).  Now we see a little bit of what it's like when other teams play us.  Both teams were ineffective on the ground and MSU had the better QB today.

Great season.  Looking forward to next year.

Great post. Spot on. I'm looking forward to next year too and also hope Montgomery's injury is not acl.

[fullmetal]

It's not ACL, and it won't require surgery, thankfully.

[fullmetal]

It's not ACL, and it won't require surgery, thankfully.

[Sparty86]

Just wanted to say Congrats to the Cardinal Nation for a well played game yesterday, an exciting game from start to finish.  Perhaps we'll meet again and battle it out once more.
Your team was a class act all the way and gracious in defeat. Kudos to a good season.

Go Green!

[Sparty86]

Just wanted to say Congrats to the Cardinal Nation for a well played game yesterday, an exciting game from start to finish.  Perhaps we'll meet again and battle it out once more.
Your team was a class act all the way and gracious in defeat. Kudos to a good season.

Go Green!

[stupac2]

It's not ACL, and it won't require surgery, thankfully.

Oh thank god. I was wondering what happened there.

[stupac2]

It's not ACL, and it won't require surgery, thankfully.

Oh thank god. I was wondering what happened there.