Slowing down Denard Robinson is 'easier said than done,' MSU coach Mark Dantonio says
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is roughed up by a pair of Michigan State defenders during last year's 34-17 loss to the Spartans at Michigan Stadium.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Is there a secret? Not really. Is it simple? Not even close.
"You have to keep him corralled," Dantonio said Tuesday during the Big Ten coaches teleconference. "Which is a lot easier said than done."
Five games into the 2010 season, Robinson had rushed for 905 yards, was averaging more than 9 yards per carry, had completed 74 percent of his passes and had accounted for 16 total touchdowns.
Against the Spartans? Robinson put up yardage (301 total), but tossed three interceptions and averaged just 4.1 yards per carry as Michigan State toppled the Wolverines for the third straight time.
Dantonio admits the task was hard enough the first time, and if his team wants to score a fourth straight win over the Wolverines, it'll have to slow down the fastest quarterback in the country all over again.
"You can have the play stopped, and (Robinson) can take a bad play and make it a good play," Dantonio said. "That's the key to any quarterback, however you do it, whether it's with your arm, your decision making, or your feet — if you can take a bad play and make it a good one, then you've got a player."
Earlier this season, Michigan State stonewalled dual-threat Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller. The Spartans racked up nine sacks against the Buckeyes in a 10-7 win. Miller rushed nine times for minus-27 yards, and went 5-of-10 through the air for 56 yards and an interception.
But there's a big difference between what the Spartans saw against the Buckeyes and what they'll see this weekend, Dantonio says.
Miller's a freshman, and Robinson is seasoned playmaker.
"I think it's something we can build on from a confidence factor, but there's a difference between a freshman and a guy that's played and had the success that Denard's had in the last two and a half, three years," he said. "Braxton saw some things that he was seeing for the first time in that game, but (Denard) is a different type of animal.
"Plus, the offensive system is different in that their offensive system is built around what (Denard) can do. Where as Braxton Miller wasn't asked to carry the load the entire time, Denard is."
Dantonio says there are other concerns this year against Michigan, notably the Wolverines' rejuvenated defensive effort. Dantonio complimented Michigan coach Brady Hoke and staff, and added that playing against any unbeaten team is a tall task, no matter who they are.
"When you (face a team) that hasn't lost yet, it's tougher and tougher to beat that team," he said. "Because they find a way."
Michigan has made a point this season of insisting that it's more than just Denard Robinson. That may be true, but he's still Dantonio's main focus.
"We were able to (slow him down) somewhat last year," Dantonio said. "But this year's a new year.
"Everybody has to handle their job."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
XTR
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
Dantonio stopped a one trick pony Denard last year with RR. The first time the RR offense sputtered last season en route to many losses. This year the gameplan is the same, no running for Denard which MSU could do to Denard alone, but with the other weapons like Toussaint, Smith, Shaw, Gardner, Gallon, Koger, Roundtree and Hemingway, then that is very hard to stop. The key is diversity in the offense. A one trick pony offense will get easily coralled. On Defense, MSU will pound the ball with the big RB's to clear Cunningham, this will be like defending a Lloyd Carr team lolz
Rufus
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 5:44 a.m.
Denard is 5th in the big ten in passing so there must be at least 5 other one trick ponies QBing in the big ten.
tim
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
Hopefully someone will be open for the pass while State is busy " corralling Denard "
chiro19
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:05 p.m.
A couple of very important things to take note of in this game. 1. MSU is down 3 starting Olineman from Spring ball on. This in and of itself is huge because MSU thrives off of PA to TE's do to their effective running game. If you watch games that they can not run the ball i.e. Iowa 10', Alabama 10', ND 11', and OSU 11' their offense is horrible at best! 2. Michigans Dline is starting to get better as a unit and make more plays along with the linebackers. This will put tremendous pressure on MSU's Oline to stay cohesive and block Dlineman which in return means that blitzes are not picked up properly leading to sacks, TFL, and TO's. 3. I believe that Mattison has been playing a base D with a minimum amount of curve balls in the look of the scheme. This poses a huge problem for MSU because they just dont know how to practice against things they have not seen. My bet is they have been studying equal amounts of Ravens and Mich Defensive plays over the last week to see what things may pop up. If the running game is stopped by michigan then Cousins is in trouble! 4. Look for a completely different offensive formation to be brought out on Sat. If I am a betting man I have a hunch the Diamond formation is a trap to get MSU practicing a lot on something they wont see. Possibly a option wing T formation or Flex bone formation out of the shotgun with Gardner envolved. If I were Borges I would set up in the Diamond formation, which is a modified flexbone formation, and get MSU into their D set and switch the formation completely at the line to really goof them up. Something you might see for example would be Devin at QB and Denard at the slot receiver position running a seem route. Just think how much fun Borges is having coming up with these sand lot type plays that could actually work because of the two qb's they have! 5. Michigan is hungry, better coached, and makes almost perfect adjustments at half time on both sides of the ball! Go Blue!
trigg7
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:04 p.m.
Just make that JC quarterback throw, and its all over.Hell half his passes are jump balls that went UM way. Thats not going to work against Sparty!
RJ12688
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 5:18 a.m.
A team cant live and die by the jump ball.. but id take Hemingway over any one of MSUs DBs in a jump ball...
azwolverine
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 3:26 a.m.
It worked against ND who blew Sparty's doors off.
Candy
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10 p.m.
I agree with Coach Dantonio (and I'm normally far from agreeing with him about anything!). Yet I'm also worried that UM will once again rely too much on Denard's running capabilities. They have to have a better weapon against MSU's defense. (And yes, at the risk of sounding stereotypical, the MSU defensive players are as large as cattle!). Accurate passing would be a welcome plus! So would some great running plays from folks like Toussaint. Go Blue!
azwolverine
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
RW, Agree 100%. Michigan can't put itself in a hole with turnovers this week, it's going to be tough enough to win without them. Michigan has got to make good drives pay off, because there may not be many of them, so turnovers could be deadly. On another note, I think Michigan's offense is a bit more diverse than it was last year, with our ability to convert short yardage more effectively (bigger line, use of RB's, FB), utilizing Gardner in spots, and simply USING our RB's and tight ends more so than we did the past few seasons. So, even though Robinson remains the focal point of the offense, there are other threats that MSU has to be aware of and defend against. They can't focus solely on Robinson. Further, I'm sure both Hoke and Borges know how Michigan got shut down last year and are working on ways to keep the same thing from happening again this season. No matter how you slice it, with the emotions running high on both sides, MSU's top notch defense and outstanding QB, this is going to be by far the biggest test of the season to this point for the Wolverines. I'm just glad they have Hoke leading them (following them) out on the field this time around. Go Blue!
Lorain Steelmen
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
I think Dantonio has only said what everyone already knows to be the truth, namely he must stop DRob. He'll take a page from the NW playbook and load the box, to suffocate the UM run game. He'll succeed, as UM will not mount a serious run effort, other than DRob himself. The key then, will be whether the UM O-line can give DRob enough time to pass, and I mean, short controlled passes. If the Oline shows up, and IF, DROB maintain's his 'mechanics', then those passes will turn into big YAC's. UM can gash the Spartans, and force them to back off, some, in the box. UM's receivers must have a 'big time game' blocking, as well as catching. But I'm sure Helinski, has brought that to their attention. Defensively, UM will be tested by the MSU run game, early, as Dantonio trys to get Mattison to leave his DB's vulnerable to Cousins passing. I think Countess will be a target. If he holds up, back there, UM will be 'in the game'. Recall last year, in AA, the UM 'D', would hang in there, only to break down on 3rd and long. They couldn't get off the field. Three or four Spartan runs, went LONG, one in front of the MSU band in the SW corner, ughhh, and the game was out of reach. Prediction, If UM weathers the Spartan early/initial emotional storm in the first quarter, AND, if DRob survives the headhunters trying to knock him out of the game, he'll pick the Spartan secondary apart, (as in whoops, no body was left back there to plug the holes), then UM will win. 31-21. But if either of those scenarios goes in the other direction, then the Spartans win, 28-17. MSU has the edge in physical strentgh, and game experience. UM has the edge in team chemistry, and speed. MSU has 'home field' advanrtage, UM has the emotional edge, and underdog incentive. ...Thsi one should be a dandy...Goooooooooo BLUE!
riverraisin
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:45 a.m.
I agree. I'd also like to see more of both QB's in the backfield at the same time. We need to keep their defense confused and always guessing. I have alot of faith in our coaching staff...we just need to execute.
azwolverine
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
Good analysis. You're right, Robinson needs to connect on those short passes which I think will be the focus of UM's passing attack this week. And yes, this looks like a game which could go either way and may swing on just one or two plays.
RWBill
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
Intermittenly dodging out of my niece's wedding reception last year to check the TV in the bar, it seemed like Michigan moved the ball some but DR threw some interceptions or fumbled. Maybe it could have been closer than the final score indicated, I don't know. I DO know that slow starts, getting behind or squandering scoring chances due to INTs or fumbles against MSU and the good teams the rest of the way will turn potential victories into defeat. State especially has a very good D so we can't get stuck deep in our own end or miss chance to put points on the board. A win is certainly doable, but not with poor ball security.
riverraisin
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:39 a.m.
But the real question is.... Have you forgiven your niece for getting married on a saturday during football season??
andys
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.
I think that Michigan will be loose, with a nothing-to-lose attitude. All the pressure is on Sparty. Sparty is on a three year roll, Michigan has been way down, Michigan was not expected to be anything much this year, Sparty is coming off a great year, they have seasoned quarterback and a lot of other talent coming back, and we play at their house. Michigan fans will give Hoke a pass this year if we lose, as long as we put up a good fight. So I think we will come out jacked and going for broke! I can't wait for this game!
RWBill
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.
I think we'll come out jacked alright, but I think you may be underestimating the effect on Michigan's players. They've had to stare at the countdown clock for months every day. I'm not assuming they're going to be loose. I believe there will be plenty of tension on both sides.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 7:01 p.m.
That was a very gracious (realistic) statement by Coach Dantonio. I think coaches on both sides are well aware that this year is the year of Big Changes for Michigan but neither side is underestimating the other. Dantonio right now must be hoping that Michigan's "work in progress" team won't put it all together in this game. He should be (hoping that) because if Michigan DOES put it all together next Saturday: the Spartans will surely lose. OTH: Looking back, it seems like Michigan has had the perfect training season leading up to this game. It doesn't take a "football genius" to see that this team needed that chain of build-up games to become more coordinated and effective. I think this may offset the bye week enjoyed by the Spartans: Michigan came through w/o depleting its core players. Michigan revisits this rivalry game with new assets too. Michigan lacked a defense (almost literally) in the last two meetings. As Dantonio says: Denard is now a seasoned player and not just another deer in the headlights QB. Of course, we all know that Michigan now has (drastically) better coaching. It's going to be "interesting" to see what happens this Saturday.