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The weekly press conference by Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio aims to preview the opening of the Spartans Big Ten Saturday in Indiana.
Detroit Free Press
Matt Coghlin (4), of Michigan State, kicks off during a warm-up before a college football game against Indiana, Matt Allen (64) and Collin Caflisch (57), Saturday, October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan (AP Photo / Al Goldis)(Photo: Al Goldis, AP)
EAST LANSING – It's a quick decision, and Michigan State Soccer plans to take as much time as possible to do so.
Who will start downtown Saturday in Indiana?
MSU coach Mark Dantonio said it will be a decision made between Tyler Higby and former student Matt Allen, while the Spartans, 23rd, will travel to Bloomington to face the Hoosiers (3-0). record, 7:30 pm, Big Ten Network).
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"We must certainly try to understand this as we go along," said Dantonio before MSU's week off, "and that's one of the things we're going to discover in the coming weeks here. "
This is not the only problem on the Spartans offensive line (1-1), but that's where it all starts in the offense.
In MSU's 16-13 loss to Arizona State, Higby was pushed back by quarterback Brian Lewerke in a third critical clap that caused the stall and a shot on goal.
Higby slid to the left at the end of the third quarter, Allen replacing him in the middle. Allen's 32 games in defeat are in the center and Higby played 57 of the 66 offensive games – 25 in the center and 32 on the left.
Higby spent most of his first four seasons at MSU on call.
"This is not for lack of testing or lack of willpower," said Dantonio. "But he slams the ball and he's probably not walking."
Dantonio said that Allen had played a solid role and that he knew his position without the learning curve that Higby was facing. Allen is the youngest brother of former MSU centers Jack and Brian Allen.
"I've been playing at the center since I was in grade six, so I've always been comfortable playing at the center," Allen said after testing on Tuesday. "Really, anyone (the offensive line coach Mark) Staten is confident of participating in Saturday's game, that's what he's going to do."
More: Michigan State vs Indiana: screening report, prediction
It also becomes complex beyond.
Luke Campbell struggled to attack left and returned to his right-sided attacking area when Higby slipped from the center. Right tackle Jordan Reid had a breath of fresh air on one of Lewerke's fourth quarterback sacks.
All of this could be aggravated by a potential injury to left-hander David Beedle, who appeared to have his leg rolled in the last Spartans run. Blake Bueter, the Redshirt student, replaced Beedle for the latest MSU offensive game, and he went back to the left guard. However, it is here that Higby started 13 of his 14 games before this fall before beating Allen and Bueter for the center position.
All these reorganizations led the Spartans to fight by blocking the race, averaging 114 yards per game. They also struggled to protect Lewerke, who was sacked five times while avoiding pressure several times.
"The offense is such that if a guy makes a mistake, it can ruin the whole room. Sometimes you see that happen, "Allen said. "And other times, we only see guys who are wrong theater. We just have to go to the line games room and really have after watching the movie and make sure everyone is on the same page. "
Update of the game
MSU's return match against Northwestern will take place on October 6 at noon. The information disseminated remains to be determined.
Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our free Spartans Xtra app on Apple and Android devices!
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