Instead of taking Jim Delany's idea of naming the conference trophy after a coach who was very successful 70 years ago with a school that hasn't been part of the Big Ten in 50 years, I think we'll pursue a more modern award name or at least a more Spartan one. Our awards will be called the Perles trophies. When MSU wins it's next Rose Bowl, the name will be updated to the Mark Dantonio award.
Without further adieu, the George Perles awards for 2011.
The George Perles Award for Most Improved Position Group(From 2010-2011): The Defensive Line. The defensive line was in a word, breathtaking. The combination of Gholston and Worthy was dominating this year. The projected loss of Worthy and actual loss of Pickelman and Strayhorn will be a huge question mark going into the 2012 season.
The George Perles Award for Most Improved Position Group(Intra-Season): The Offensive Line. Against Youngstown State, the Offensive Line looked out of position, unsure of what it should be doing. By the Outback Bowl, Dan France was getting beat by one of the elite pass rushers in the nation this year, but they still found a way to recover and score 27 points in the second half. This was largely on the back of the Offensive Line buying time for Cousins to throw.
The George Perles Award for Unsung Hero: Mike Sadler. Early in the Ohio State game, a wayward snap(I can't remember whether it went over his head or he just bobbled it) was recovered and booted away before the OSU players could get to him. This was deep in our own endzone and would likely have resulted in points for OSU. That matters in a game that ends 10-7. If MSU loses they are 3-2 coming home Columbus. At the risk of "What-If"-ing this to death, if Sadler doesn't make that play I don't know if MSU is 10-2 in the regular season.
The George Perles Award for Offensive MVP: Le'Veon Bell. Feel free to beat me with socks full of batteries if you must, but the MSU offense got very, very good right around the time Bell took over as the lead tailback. This is no slight against Mr. Cousins who is the best QB in MSU history, but what made the MSU offense move from struggly to very good was the faith put in Bell.
The George Perles Award for Defensive MVP: Jerel Worthy. Just like the Offensive MVP I don't think you can have one without the other. So the threat of Gholston allowed Worthy to make some plays. I think in this case if you take Worthy away, Gholston struggles more than if you take Gholston away from Worthy. We'll likely see next year. The Haunting Spectre of Jerel Worthy caused teams to gameplan around protecting the interior of the line which freed up Gholston on the edges, IMO.
The George Perles Award For Best Freshman: Marcus Rush. Rush played solid defense at the Defensive End position opposite Gholston all season long. Unlike Gholston, who's job appeared to be to either stuff the run or kill the QB. Rush dropped into pass coverage with some regularity(as regularly as a DE does anyway) and did a good job defending the pass. He and Gholston will be a treat to watch in 2012.
The 2011 season was definitely one to enjoy, back to back 11 win seasons is something that hasn't been experienced in post World War II football by either Michigan or Michigan State. While it was easy to enjoy, it'll be a bit difficult to remember. MSU was so very close to going to the Rose Bowl, where I think they would have beaten Oregon, but we'll never know. Any hypothesizing as such is just that.
All we can do is thank Mark Dantonio, his coaches and the players. In forty years, MSU fans have been treated to some very mediocre football. In the last four years, MSU has become a football program to be proud of, a program who looks at the Outback Bowl as not good enough.
On Tuesday afternoon, when the team arrived home Le'Veon Bell could have gone home. After a week away from EL, it would have been fair to do. But he didn't. He got off the bus and was in the film room in 20 minutes. This is what MSU football is about now not being satisfied with what they've done, but enjoying the moment and focusing their eyes on where they're going. I'm just happy us fans can be along for the ride.
Without further adieu, the George Perles awards for 2011.
The George Perles Award for Most Improved Position Group(From 2010-2011): The Defensive Line. The defensive line was in a word, breathtaking. The combination of Gholston and Worthy was dominating this year. The projected loss of Worthy and actual loss of Pickelman and Strayhorn will be a huge question mark going into the 2012 season.
The George Perles Award for Most Improved Position Group(Intra-Season): The Offensive Line. Against Youngstown State, the Offensive Line looked out of position, unsure of what it should be doing. By the Outback Bowl, Dan France was getting beat by one of the elite pass rushers in the nation this year, but they still found a way to recover and score 27 points in the second half. This was largely on the back of the Offensive Line buying time for Cousins to throw.
The George Perles Award for Unsung Hero: Mike Sadler. Early in the Ohio State game, a wayward snap(I can't remember whether it went over his head or he just bobbled it) was recovered and booted away before the OSU players could get to him. This was deep in our own endzone and would likely have resulted in points for OSU. That matters in a game that ends 10-7. If MSU loses they are 3-2 coming home Columbus. At the risk of "What-If"-ing this to death, if Sadler doesn't make that play I don't know if MSU is 10-2 in the regular season.
The George Perles Award for Offensive MVP: Le'Veon Bell. Feel free to beat me with socks full of batteries if you must, but the MSU offense got very, very good right around the time Bell took over as the lead tailback. This is no slight against Mr. Cousins who is the best QB in MSU history, but what made the MSU offense move from struggly to very good was the faith put in Bell.
The George Perles Award for Defensive MVP: Jerel Worthy. Just like the Offensive MVP I don't think you can have one without the other. So the threat of Gholston allowed Worthy to make some plays. I think in this case if you take Worthy away, Gholston struggles more than if you take Gholston away from Worthy. We'll likely see next year. The Haunting Spectre of Jerel Worthy caused teams to gameplan around protecting the interior of the line which freed up Gholston on the edges, IMO.
The George Perles Award For Best Freshman: Marcus Rush. Rush played solid defense at the Defensive End position opposite Gholston all season long. Unlike Gholston, who's job appeared to be to either stuff the run or kill the QB. Rush dropped into pass coverage with some regularity(as regularly as a DE does anyway) and did a good job defending the pass. He and Gholston will be a treat to watch in 2012.
The 2011 season was definitely one to enjoy, back to back 11 win seasons is something that hasn't been experienced in post World War II football by either Michigan or Michigan State. While it was easy to enjoy, it'll be a bit difficult to remember. MSU was so very close to going to the Rose Bowl, where I think they would have beaten Oregon, but we'll never know. Any hypothesizing as such is just that.
All we can do is thank Mark Dantonio, his coaches and the players. In forty years, MSU fans have been treated to some very mediocre football. In the last four years, MSU has become a football program to be proud of, a program who looks at the Outback Bowl as not good enough.
On Tuesday afternoon, when the team arrived home Le'Veon Bell could have gone home. After a week away from EL, it would have been fair to do. But he didn't. He got off the bus and was in the film room in 20 minutes. This is what MSU football is about now not being satisfied with what they've done, but enjoying the moment and focusing their eyes on where they're going. I'm just happy us fans can be along for the ride.
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