THE RIP PIECE: Michigan State vs Wisconsin 2009

Let me start off by stating this is my first blogging experience and by introducing myself; I'm Roy, a 2006 graduate of The Michigan State University. I currently reside in THE GREAT CITY OF MADISON WISCONSIN and had the opportunity to attend the titled game in 2009. Lets give a little recap of the season before this game; MSU came in with a record of 1-2 and UW with a record of 3-0. There was a chance for rain and I thought the rain would impact MSU's passing game so my initial pick was split; if it rained MSU would lose because we cannot run the ball. If it stayed dry, MSU would win because UW struggles against the pass. Well it stayed dry and MSU still lost. Kirk Cousins did not rebound after that interception in the Norte Dame game last week; he threw sloppy passes and stared at his receivers without looking around for other possible receivers. I was quite frustrated with him; it wasn't till later in the game when I saw him start looking around a bit more. MSU has been playing two quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichols. Nichols transferred to MSU from Oklahoma becauce he was always going to be behind Sam Bradford. Anyways, the first 3 games of the year Cousins looked to be the better player until the final drive at Notre Dame when he was rushing everything and not relaxing and over threw a wide open Caper in the end zone for the win. Then, the very next play, he forced a pass right into the hands of a defensive player. All this being said, Cousins started and played the majority of game vs UW and although it's not all his fault for the loss, he didn't help with his poor play and turnovers. Yes, I am aware that Nichols had 2 INT's to Cousins 1 INT in the game, but thats only because UW players dropped a few of Cousin's passes. I HAVE TO GIVE UW CREDIT... THEIR OFFENSE KEPT MSU ON ITS TOES GUESSING AND ON THEIR HEELS BACK PEDALING. Wisconsin effectively ran the ball (as always) by keeping MSU in check on defense with their passing game. Offensively UW was very balanced and as soon as MSU would load up to stop the run, UW hit MSU for a  touchdown reception. But enough about the game!! MSU was out played and congrats to UW for starting 4-0.


This was my first experience going into a hostile atmosphere and I was extremely nervous. I was afraid some jerk was going to push me over the limit by throwing something, yelling at my fiance, etc... that I would unload on his face and in return get jumped by 18 other people. Fortunately, that didn't happen and I had the time of my life! Yes, there were a few bad apples in the Wisconsin faithful but everyone else was extremely friendly and polite. Of course they had to raz us before and after the game but thats the fun of it. During our walk to the tailgate spot, people we honking at Erica and I and booing us. It was fun but made me a little nervous. When we arrived at our spot and met up with friends (all MSU alumni) at 8 am, we did what you do at tailgates: bing drink. The UW tailgaters surrounded us but they all were friendly. A few even drank with us...

After the drinking, it was game time. On our walk to Camp Randall Stadium, almost every Wisconsin fan that spoke said, "Good luck" and I simply replied, "Thanks". A few tried talking smack but I figured the best thing to do was to ignore drunken people possibly looking for a fight. Camp Randall is a beautiful stadium. Everything was red and you couldn't see any MSU fans in the stadium even though there were a lot there. A few Wisconsiners approached us after the game to talk with us and give us compliments on Michigan State's campus and thanked us for supporting Madison's economy. All in all, the UW fans were true class acts.

At the start of the 4th quarter I get to see a Wisconsin tradition. I loved it!!!  It was fun and energetic just like the city of Madison. It was something called, 'Jump Around'... I've been trying to upload a video for 2 straight days to this blog and it just isn't working!!! That is frustrating. The youtube videos are all crappy quality so yea...

The stats on the game;
MSU had 486 yards of offense, 90 of those on the ground. Wisconsin had 436 with 193 coming on the ground. MSU had 4 turnovers compared to 1 by UW and 9 penalties compared to 5 by UW.
After the game, I recommend doing exactly what I did. We walked to the Memorial Union on UW-Madison campus and enjoyed the afternoon over looking the lake and had a few more cold ones. Later on, we strolled up State Street towards the capital stopping at Pauls Club for a few MORE before ending up at The Old Fashioned on Capital Square for deep fried cheese curds and a healthy selection of Wisconsin Beer.

Next week, 'big brother' makes the little over an hour drive up to the 'little brothers' to do battle. (Michigan vs. Michigan State).