EAST LANSING, Mich. – The fans in the student section at Spartan Stadium are very likely to get their wish on Saturday. Freshman Damion Terry is going to begin practice on Tuesday in the number two spot behind starter Connor Cook. And from there, Terry will have to prove worthy of the opportunity for playing time according to Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio
On Terry, Dantonio said, “If we take the redshirt off him, it means he had a great week of practice.”
Asked if he was willing to risk losing the redshirt season for Terry – who rolled up 4,298 yards in total offense and accounted for 62 touchdowns last year in a 15-0 season for Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep – Dantonio didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah,” Dantonio said, “I’m willing to do that. He has the ability to run and the ability to throw, and he’s poised in the pocket.”
The coach said he would’ve given Terry the opportunity to get reps with the first two units last week had he not been ill. But Dantonio said he’s healthy now and ready to go.
The likely plan appears to be starting Cook again, and alternating him each quarter with Terry.
On Cook, Dantonio said, “He put himself in a position to be where he is…To be the No. 1 on Tuesday.”
That statement says it all in regard to the MSU’s quarterbacking situation. Day-to-day and drive-to-drive has brought changes. Only the results have stayed the same.
The Spartans have averaged 3.4 yards per passing attempt. That ranks 123rd out of 123 BCS teams. Georgia Tech leads with 17.2 yards per attempt, and 14 teams average over 10 yards per attempt.
Pick any significant passing stat and MSU ranks near the bottom: 108th in total yards (210), 117th in yards per game (105) and 120th in passing rating (76.5).
The passing game is holding back a stand-out defense that Dantonio ranks with the two best he’s been associated with – 2002 with Ohio State’s national champions and his 2011 Spartans – and a running game that appears adequate.
However, Dantonio is hopeful that getting the quarterback situation straightened out will make all the difference.
“When we do,” he said, “there will be a momentum surge.”
Dantonio added that the “surge” would “re-energize” his team.
The Spartans cling to being 2-0, but they have beaten two lackluster teams in Western Michigan and South Florida. And Youngstown State, while being a FCS team slotted just below major college, could be the best team MSU has faced.
The Penguins beat Pitt last year, 31-17, to claim a win over a BCS team, and have beaten Dayton, 28-10, and Morehead State, 67-13, this season. Youngstown had a school-record 718 yards total offense Saturday against Morehead, getting 359 yards both rushing and passing.
If the Spartans lose to the Penguins, the starting quarterback will be the least of Dantonio’s problems. He’s already being booed and hasn’t lost a game.
Last week, Dantonio’s theme was “explosive plays,” and this week it was merely “finding a rhythm” with his offense. However, that is hard to find when playing three or more quarterbacks. So, with Notre Dame and Big Ten play on the horizon, he is settling into a decision between Cook and Terry. Dantonio noted that last year’s starter, senior Andrew Maxwell, can be “like an NFL backup,” in that he can produce without getting many practice reps.
Dantonio said that in an ideal situation the starter gets 65-percent of the reps with the first string, while the backup gets the rest. He needs to establish who those two quarterbacks are if there is any hope of finding a rhythm.
“We’ll probably go in that direction early this week,” Dantonio said.
If Terry can’t do it, Maxwell is the best choice. Cook is simply too erratic as a passer. And there just doesn’t seem to be room for third-stringer Tyler O’Connor in the picture.
However, if Terry isn’t worthy of starting, watch out. The Spartans will scramble just to have a winning record in the Big Ten.
“We have some quick, tough decisions based on today’s reps,” Dantonio said before concluding on Tuesday.
Will it be Terry getting the start and Cook coming in off the bench or vice versa?
“The crème will rise to the top,” Dantonio said. “…Not that any of them are out of it.”
There’s always a caveat where Spartans quarterbacks are concerned. But don’t kid yourself: Terry might be the only hope for MSU. That’s a lot of pressure for a freshman, no matter how accomplished he was in high school or how much the student section chants his name. But he’s about to get a chance that Dantonio had hoped he wouldn’t have to resort to.
Unfortunately, it’s last resort time for the Spartans.
