Posts tagged Darqueze Dennard

straight-from-the-mitten:

#5 - CB Darqueze Dennard

Dennard was the less-heralded of the two cornerbacks for Michigan State coming into the season, however the Georgia native turned some heads. Dennard was even rumored to be an NFL draft pick had he left MSU early, but he elected to stay. Number 31 had 52 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. Dennard also added 3 interceptions and seven passes defended. Despite Dennard’s two interceptions, He and teammate Johnny Adams were victimized in the Spartans’ 28-24 loss to Nebraska. Dennard had a touchdown return on an interception called back by a “phantom” penalty on Adams, and then Dennard was questionably called for a pass-interference that set up the game-winning touchdown. However, Dennard was selected 1st Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and 2nd Team All-Big Ten by the media. Dennard was also the recipient of the team’s Jim Adams Award for unsung hero on defense. Look for Dennard to be the Spartans’ lock down cornerback in 2013.

(Photo Credit: http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Darqueze+Dennard+Boise+State+v+Michigan+State+SMrw1U0qhNGl.jpg)

(Stats Credit: http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/darqueze_dennard_716520.html)

Michigan State may get an early start on one of the big questions it will face in the off-season: Who replaces Johnny Adams at cornerback?

Adams is expected to miss Saturday’s Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against TCU with a toe injury, MSU coach Mark Dantonio told the Free Press today.

I do not expect Johnny to play, to be honest with you,” Dantonio said of the senior and two-time All-Big Ten first-team selection. “You always hold out hope that he may play, but I just don’t know. We’ll have to see come game time, but my expectations are that (he won’t)

That would be a big hit for the Spartans (6-6) and their hopes of beating the Horned Frogs (7-5) and finishing the season with a winning record. Senior Mitchell White is expected to start across from junior cornerback Darqueze Dennard, but redshirt freshman Trae Waynes also could see the field against a talented group of TCU receivers.

“Trae Waynes has had excellent bowl practices, and he has outstanding ability,” Dantonio said. “Mitchell has game experience, and I think those guys will share the position. And then (receiver) Tony Lippett has started three games for us (at cornerback, last season), so he’s a possibility as well.”

Once the off-season officially begins early Sunday morning, Waynes will be part of a trio of top contenders for Adams’ spot.

“Our freshman defensive backs are great players,” Dantonio said. “Ezra Robinson, extremely impressive. Jermaine (Edmondson) has been extremely impressive as well. He’s getting his shoulder (fixed) right now and he’s been out.” Dantonio also said freshman Mark Meyers could play safety or cornerback.

TIDBITS: Athletic director Mark Hollis said MSU has sold about 3,000 of its allotment of 11,000 tickets, but he hopes to see about 10,000 MSU fans at the game. … TCU receiver Josh Boyce and about 15 others have been hit by illness this week, coachGary Patterson said, but he expects them to be fine for the game. … MSU beat TCU in a wing-eating contest, averaging 33 wings per player compared with 20 for TCU. The combined wing consumption total: 7,330.

(Source: freep.com)

(Source: bleacherreport.com)

First Team:
William Gholston (Jr. DE)
Johnny Adams (Sr. CB)
Isaiah Lewis (Jr. S)
Chris McDonald (Sr. OG)

Second Team:
Denicos Allen (Jr. OLB)
Max Bullough (Jr. MLB)
Dan Conroy (Sr. K)
Fou Fonoti (Sr. OT)
Marcus Rush (So. DE)

Third Team:
Le’Veon Bell (Jr. RB)
Darqueze Dennard (Jr. CB)
Dan France (Jr. OT)
Nick Hill (So. RB)
Tony Lippett (So. WR)

Fourth Team:
Dion Sims (Jr. TE)
Chris Norman (Sr. OLB)

(Bleacher Report)

Following a very disappointing loss in the Big Ten championship game, the Spartans somewhat salvaged the season with a thrilling win against Georgia in the Outback Bowl.

The win sent perhaps the greatest senior class in Michigan State history out with a win and gave head coach Mark Dantonio his first bowl victory.

However, with the departure of three-year captain and senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, many people think the Spartans will have a letdown year next year.

This simply is not true.  

Surely, Cousins’ leadership will be missed by the Spartans. However, they reload the quarterback position with former four-star recruit Andrew Maxwell. Maxwell will be heading into his junior year next year and has very high expectations for both himself and the team.  

In addition to Cousins, the Spartans lose the majority of their receiving core, including wide receivers BJ Cunningham, Keith Nicol, Keshawn Martin and tight end Brian Linthicum.  

Michigan State will fill these holes with sophomore Bennie Fowler and freshman Tony Lippet. In addition to these two, the Spartans signed the No. 1 wide receiver in the state of Michigan, four-star Aaron Burbridge.  

Furthermore, former Tennessee wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett transferred to State just yesterday. The addition of the former Under Armour All-American, Arnett, will surely go a long way in Michigan State’s passing game.  

“Maxwell to Arnett…touchdown MSU!” is a phrase we will hear a lot of in the coming years.

The Spartans only lose one player off last year’s offensive line, senior captain Joel Foreman. The last player lost from the offense is senior fullback Todd Anderson. This hole will hopefully be filled by former Catholic Central back Niko Palazeti.  

The dual-threat run game of Le’Veon Bell and Edwin Baker will return next year. With their talents, the Spartans hope to have one of the best run games in the Big Ten. (Edwin Baker is leaving for the NFL Draft.)

The Michigan State defense finished the year in the Top 10 of total defense. The scary part is, the Spartans return nine out of the 11 starters from that defense; that is, if defensive tackle Jerel Worthy declares for the NFL draft as he is expected to. (He did declare for the NFL.)

The defense will be led by juniors Max Bullough and William Gholston up front. The secondary loses free safety Trenton Robinson, but it should be okay returning corners Darqueze Dennard and Johnny Adams and safety Isaiah Lewis.

 Michigan State looks to again have one of the best defenses not only in the Big Ten, but in the entire nation.  

These certainly are exciting days in East Lansing.  

Mark Dantonio has put together a program that will compete for Big Ten championships for years to come. Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has turned down a few offers already and appears to be staying on board Dantonio’s staff.  

The sky is the limit for next year’s Michigan State Spartans.

I’ve already seen two SERIOUS mistakes by the refs.

In the 1st quarter when they didn’t give Johnny Adams the interception.

In the 3rd quarter Darqueze Dennard stopped the player at least 1 yard short of the 1st down marker on 3rd and 7 but the refs placed the ball incorrectly giving Youngstown State a 1st down.

This better not be a regular thing…