White team wins spring game 14-2
If you were lucky enough to sleep until about 2:00 p.m. Saturday, you didn't miss much from the Michigan State spring game. Oh wait, you missed when Sparty took a handoff and was stuffed in the backfield and fumbled the ball -- a good metaphor for the first half in which defense dominated.
Ultimately, the White team found a way to score two touchdowns and prevail with a 14-2 win against the Green team.
The Green team scored first, when Will Gholston came off the edge unblocked and wrapped up Nick Hill in the endzone for a safety. Defense remained the story of the game, as Marcus Rush led the White team with 2.5 sacks.
Denicos Allen had a half-sack for the White, as it overwhelmed the Green offensive line -- which featured four of the Spartans' projected starters. The Green had -10 yards rushing.
Quarterback Connor Cook received a baptism by fire in the spring game, but completed 20 of 45 passes and threw a touchdown. (MLive.com Photo)
Jeremy Gainer had a sack for the Green.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Connor Cook was a combined 20 for 45 passing for 294 yards and a touchdown, as he played for both sides. He also threw an interception and had at least four passes batted down by defensive linemen.
Cook look out of sorts, at times, but also displayed decent pocket awareness and the ability to move around a bit. His decision making was iffy, as would be expected from a redshirt freshman.
Andre Sims Jr. led the White teams receiver with three catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. Sims has drawn a lot of praise this spring for his play and his hands -- but especially his fearlessness going over the middle. It was clear why he was the first wide receiver picked in the spring game draft.
In a surprise move, Johnny Adams was on the offensive side for a few plays and made a great catch on a 45-yard pass from Cook. Dantonio said Adams might get flipped around a bit and be used on offense.
Early enrollee Kyle Kerrick had two catches for 23 yards, but consistently beat man-to-man coverage and would have had a long reception if not for a badly underthrown ball by Peter Badovinac. Kerrick showed the ability to run routes well and looks to be a player who could contribute
Dion Sims proved a big weapon at tight end, hauling in four passes for 73 yards for the Green team. Sims will be counted on to replace Brian Linthicum and Garrett Celek, both of whom graduated after the 2011 season. Walk-on tight end Andrew Gleichert had a long reception on one of Cook's best passes of the day.
Mylan Hicks and Mitchell White each had an interception, both on overthrown passes -- Hicks' from Cook and White's from Badovinac. White had a nice return of 36 yards.
Hill was the leading rusher, as Le'Veon Bell played sparingly in the first couple drives for the Green team, as he had 95 yards rushing on 19 carries. Hill also broke out for a 32-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The teams combined for 14 tackles for loss -- the White recorded eight, while the Green had six.
Rush led the way for the White with three tackles for loss, Micajah Reynolds had 1.5 and Allen, Darien Harris and Matt Ramondo had one each. Tyler Hoover had a half-tackle for loss.
Gainer and Gholston had two each for the Green and Kyler Elsworth and Doug Curtis had one each.
Free safety Kurtis Drummond led the Green team with six tackles, and looked to make a strong case to be the starter next season at one of the positions up for grabs.
See the full box score and play-by-play here.
Notes:
-- CB Darqueze Dennard, QB Andrew Maxwell and LBs Chris Norman and Lawrence Thomas did not play due to injuries. Dennard underwent shoulder sugery earlier this month.
-- Gholston bruised his right knee and had an ice pack on it. (MSU training staff said it was no more than a bruise)
-- Larry Caper left the game early with a slight concussion. Dantonio said he "is fine." Either way, Caper is a player who missed time last year with injuries, so you hope he comes back strong.
-- Denzel Drone left with a left leg injury and was seen on crutches.
