Air Force Falcons

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio talks defending Air Force option

Published Sep. 15, 2015 10:14 p.m. ET

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Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio has a difficult task this week of refocusing the Spartans after one of the biggest regular season wins the program has enjoyed in years.

Compounding the challenge? The Spartans' opponent will be Air Force, a 10-win team last year that will bring a unique offensive attack to Spartan Stadium: the triple option.

"You have to break them down and divide them," Dantonio replied during his Tuesday press conference when asked about defending the option. "A whole different way of practicing against them. Really we started practicing against them last spring. It's a tough game, a tough draw for Michigan State. This is something we've not experienced here. We've played option football here before, but not to this level. They present other problems with the no-huddle offense. Also using different normal power and things of that nature, combining those aspects as well."

Maintaining assignments will be key, as will dealing with cut blocks.

"You got to stay up on your feet," Dantonio said. "They present a lot of problems in terms of, I guess, discipline, who has who on the options, things of that nature, all these types of things."

The coach acknowledged there is an injury worry as well.

"You're always concerned, but that's football," Dantonio said. "That's why we've worked on these things every other day in summer practice. This past summer, summer camp here, we've had Air Force periods or individual periods dedicated to cut blocking. I don't think there's any question you need to stay on your feet and get off blocks.

"They're going to work off back cuts and in-line cutting, which everybody does, even zone teams, et cetera. They do it at a little bit higher level. They'll split you out with their offensive line splits. A whole different dynamic relative to offensive football."

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