MSU linebacker Adam Decker gets a rush on third downs

Michigan State might have the edge to make more third-down stops this season.

Against Montana State, the Spartans unveiled a new third-down package showcasing a different role for senior linebacker Adam Decker.

Instead of standing, Decker set up in a three-point stance on the line of scrimmage to enhance a unit that intends to bring more pressure.

"Maybe that will be my little specialty," Decker said of being an edge rusher. "It's a chance I look forward to."

Decker, a Rochester Hills native, had to adapt to several changes in the offseason because of what appears to be modifications to an increasingly deep roster.

After eight starts at middle linebacker in 2008, the product of Birmingham Brother Rice now is a backup to Greg Jones.

Jones' move back to the middle and the consistency of Eric Gordon and Brandon Denson outside are reasons coaches experimented with Decker in a new stance during preseason practice. Decker apparently generated enough production to earn the task.

"He can give us speed off the edge in a spot that maybe we were deficient," defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said.

MSU's lack of getting to the quarterback on blitzes was an issue last season: Its 26 sacks were the lowest total since back-to-back 16-sack seasons in 2005-06.

Decker couldn't help but laugh after a preseason practice when asked about how his improved quickness could help the Spartans.

Throughout Decker's career, he's received fewer snaps against spread offenses.
Asked if he now has 4.3-speed, Decker joked: "30-yard dash."

It isn't difficult for Decker to remain humble, despite being immortalized in Spartan lore for his fourth-and-inches stop of Iowa's Shonn Greene last season.

The highlight was used prevalently this summer in Lansing-area TV advertisements for MSU's season-ticket packages.

Decker likes to remind everyone Iowa didn't disappear from the schedule.

"We gotta beat them again," Decker said. "That play has to be put to rest."

MSU gets rest before showdown

EAST LANSING (AP) — Mark Dantonio and Brian Hoyer were on the same wavelength, as all good coaches and quarterbacks should be. They agreed that a bye in Week 12 would be no good if Michigan State hadn’t gotten past late losses and self imposed limits. The wins include a 21-7 victory over Purdue last Saturday.

“Without great adversity, there can be no great success,” Dantonio said Tuesday at his weekly media session. “I really believe that. It helps you become stronger and see things more clearly when you have problems. There is no easy road to the top, regardless of what your profession is.”

With just one defeat from September through November, the No. 18 Spartans (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) hold a half-game lead over No. 10 Ohio State and No. 7 Penn State in the conference and can get no less than a share of the title with an upset in 11 days at Penn State.

No Michigan State team has ever won 11 times, but this year’s Spartans have done just enough to keep the dream of a BCS game very much alive.

“The Rose Bowl is our ultimate goal,” Dantonio said. “If we win next week, we move one step closer to getting there, whether it’s a year from now or two years from now or three years from now. You can point back and say, ‘We had an opportunity here.’ ”

Spartan Football Play-calling

The Spartans started off with the ball on the the Northwestern 25 in over-time, so you can get 2 first downs (In the 41-48 OT loss to Northwestern).

Michigan State had been running all over Northwestern the whole game, and just like last week did not run the ball once in the clutch. Four straight shots into the endzone, all incomplete. Granted, Brian Hoyer didn't throw well at all. Why don't you run it at least once with Javon Ringer ... at least once when you know your quarter back isn't playing well?

Any comments about Mark Dantonio's play calling?

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