Welcome!

Beau Knows is a blog that's all about sports- Michigan State football, college basketball, the NFL, the NBA,
and everything in between. Analysis, ingsight and opinion from the world of sports await. Enjoy!


--Beau

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The First Month at Michigan State....

Already a month has passed since I first moved into 331 West Holden Hall! It's amazing to think about how quickly time flies here. I can't believe all of the great people I've met, and the awesome, fun experiences I've had. There are so many chances for involvement in activities, student groups, and personal expansion, it's truly unbelievable!

Every person here on this campus can have an extraordinary impact on the others around them every single day, and that's the great thing about Michigan State. We can make our experience here whatever we want it to be, and I'm so fortunate to have surrounded myself with people dedicated to working hard while also having fun and building relationships. I wouldn't chose to be anything else but a Spartan.
---Beau

Monday, September 27, 2010

Chicago Bears and Monday Night Football

This past evening's Bear's game was so exciting, I feel it merits a second, separate post for the night! While the Bears received plenty of help from a sloppy, penalty prone Packers team, they were able to make a convincing case of their own for NFC North supremacy. Jay Cutler minimized the mistakes that so often plagued him last season, tossing only 1 interception while equaling that with a touchdown throw to Greg Olsen. Cutler also lead the Bears to 2 field goals,which gave Chicago the advantage.

In terms of the Bears'other special teams units, I was pleased to see Devin Hester cross the endzone on a punt return for the first time in 2 seasons, and the kicking game obviously provided the difference in this contest, as Robbie Gould banged through the eventual difference making points on a 20 yard try late in the fourth quarter. On the defensive front, the Bears displayed extraordinarily solid tackling, led by Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Julius Peppers. Peppers' mere presence forced Aaron Rodgers out of the pocket several times, and his relentless pursuit on passing downs led to several holding calls against Mark Tauscher and the rest of the Green Bay line. The Bears' offseason acquistion also forced the Packers' tackles into several false start calls that effectively killed quite a few of their drives.

While Cutler and the Bears' offense didn't put up spectacular numbers by any means, they proved they can handle pressure situations while at the same time taking care of the football-this is a trend that needs to continue if they wish to contend in the NFC. While three weeks of football (and one Monday night) doesn't write an entire story of success, it certainly provides a good prologue.

--Beau

College Football and NFL Wrap-Up

Saturday and Sunday were, as always, filled with tremendous football action. The Spartans took care of business in jumping out to a 35-0 lead on their way to dismantiling the hapless Bears of Northern Colorado. Kirk Cousins finally appears comfortable as a starter (granted, that's not exactly difficult to do against a 1-AA opponent), putting up extremely efficient numbers and tossing 3 TD's. B.J. Cunningham showed his strong hands time after time, hauling in one of Cousin's touchdown throws. Larry Caper also received more in-game action this week-this might lead to a ramp-up against the Badgers.

Throughout the Big Ten, Ohio State and Wisconsin were impressive in their scrimmages.....er, contests against Eastern Michigan and Austin Peay respectively. A showdown looms with those same Badgers this coming Saturday, coincedentally.

Across the country, Alabama displayed the toughness of a No. 1 ranked team in coming back against Arkansas-Mark Ingram and Tony Richardson look ready to carry the load for the Tide. Boise State moved up to No. 2 in the latest AP poll after a solid win against Oregon State-the Broncos are continuing to receive well-deserved respect after a nationally televised win.

In the NFL, I was most surprised to see the defending Super Bowl champion Saints go down in OT to the Falcons-should Sean Payton have made the call to ice the Falcons' on their OT field goal attempt?
For the Eagles, Michael Vick looks like a legitimate Comeback Player of the Year contender, and today I heard Tony Kornheiser of ESPN's P.T.I. claim that Vick is the best player in the NFL!

On T.V. tonight: Packers at Bears, Monday Night Football-Are you ready? I know I am.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Northern Colorado and College Football Thoughts

Today's college football matchups present an interesting tune-up week for many teams across the country, and particularly in the Big Ten.  Michigan State should handle Northern Colorado easily despite the absence of Mark Dantonio-the game might even be over by halftime if the Spartans come out with the same intensity that allowed them to knock off the Fighting Irish. State also has two Top 25 rankings to uphold (they sit at #25 in the AP Poll, and #23 in the USA Today/ESP[N Coaches Poll.
A solid showing should allow them to do just that.

In the Big Ten, many schools face off against MAC foes, including Ohio State (the Buckeyes will host Eastern Michigan), Michigan (Bowling Green), Purdue (Toledo), Iowa (Ball State), and Northwestern (Central Michigan). Although Northwestern might face competition from a rising Chippewa team, I see the rest of the Big Ten taking care of business before Big Ten play.

Nationally, the spotlight shifts to Oregon State-Boise State. The Beavers head east having prepared on a specially-painted blue practice field this past week, although that might not be enough to thwart the talented Broncos, who bring back 22 of 24 starters from last year's undefeated squad.
If the Broncos can withstand Jacquizz Rogers and the Beavers' collective offensive firepower, they'll have put themselves in position to run the table in a seemingly weak WAC.

Keep your eyes out for a wrap-up of this weekend's college football action.
--Beau

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

On the Banks of the Red Cedar

These past few days have flown by. Every week seems to go by faster and faster! I, like many others on campus, was extraordinarily surprised by the week's biggest campus news event, the minor heart attack of Spartan head football coach Mark Dantonio following the Michigan State-Notre Dame game. But, I'm glad to hear Dantonio is on his way to a speedy recovery, and I feel the team will be in more-than capable hands with interim coach Don Treadwill.

In other news, tonight I served as a DJ on thefix.org, the online radio outlet of theImpact 89fm, Michigan State's official student radio station. The Impact consistently delivers the latest and greatest alternative, independent, and college-based music-check it out! More later this week.
Strength and Honor.
---Beau

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Spartan Victory!!

What an absolutely amazing game!! Personally, that was the top moment in my Spartan Stadium career-I've never seen a call as gutsy as that, and in that situation as well!

An incredible atmosphere, a sell-out crowd, and a strong rushing attack helped pave the way for last night's victory. Although we were torched through the air at some points by Dane Crist,Kyle Rudolph, and Michael Floyd, the secondary was able to withstand the Fighting Irish and their aerial attack just long enough. Had the Irish attacked downfield more, the defensive backfield might've faced more problems.

The commitment to the ground game continues to pay off. Edwin Baker, Leveon Bell, and a newly returned Larry Caper split carries, and pounded Notre Dame play after play. On the other hand, signalcaller Kirk Cousins wasn't nearly as poised as you would expect a returning starter to be-however, his unflappable demeanor helped the Spartans press on even after mistakes.

It was unbelievably exciting to witness the entire game (and especially the final play!) in person-the student section was once again electric. I believe Michigan State showed that although they may not deliver perfection on every snap, they always play with toughness and heart, and in the end that allowed them to prevail.

GO GREEN!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Spartans...Prepare For Glory-My Personal MSU-ND Preview and Thoughts

Here we are, on the eve of the Michigan State Spartans' biggest contest of the season. A nationally televised, primetime home game looms for this campus. There's no question in my mind that the Spartans have the edge over ND in terms of intangibles-it seems we nearly always appear to when the Fighting Irish come to East Lansing.
Earlier this week, Coach Dantonio called this game a "tradition game" that links the current team to the past, noting that there have been "so many great plays", and that it "brings back memories" of terrific accomplishments. However, the only thing that matters when the Spartans take the field tomorrow night is the intensity at which the current unit goes to battle.

In my mind, State must show a great deal more offensive versatility than they have in the first two games. We should continue to establish the run as we have, but a stronger passing attack might be needed should the Irish styme the two-headed monster that is Edwin Baker and Leveon Bell.  But, if the ground game works early and often, as it has of late, Dantonio should continue to give his two young backs all the carries they can handle.

I look for Mark Dell to become a greater threat in the passing game, and I wouldn't be surprised if Keshawn Martin is utilized in variety of passing, running, or trick play situations.

In terms of defense, MSU must withstand young but talented QB Dane Crist and targets Kyle Rudolph and Michael Floyd. Additionally, the Fighting Irish return 3 starters from last year's OL, so they should be well-versed in at least a few of Michigan State's tactics-that might make it more difficult for LBs like Chris Norman and Greg Jones to put pressure on Crist via blitzing. I believe if we hold Notre Dame to under 350 total yards of offense, the game is ours.

We have the edge in intangibles; we have a more experienced quarterback and perhaps equally dangerous skill players; both defenses have defined leaders in MSU's Greg Jones and ND'S Darius Fleming (among others)....the match is relatively even on paper....what the game will come down to is toughness, discipline in key situations, and above all, the drive to fight on every play, for every inch.

Let's go to battle.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Notre Dame Week and Post-NFL Thoughts

Belatedly, I'll offer my thoughts on this past weekend's NFL action.  Arian Foster of the Houston Texans helped to deliver the biggest win in that franchise's history by rushing for 3 TD's and running over several Colts in the process-this was a very impressive performance. I was personally impressed with a very mobile and quick-looking Michael Vick; it looks like the Eagles suddenly have a QB controversy on their hands if Kevin Kolb returns in time for this week, and indeed across the season.
 The Steelers were among several teams to grind out victories, along with the Ravens, who sent a strong message that the aging core of their defense is still a force to be reckoned with. The matchups between those two teams (in Week 4 and Week 13) should be knock-down, drag-out style rumbles, as always.
Closer to home, the Lions and Bears played an ugly game, with a controversial ending. In my opinion, the call at the end fits the rule-book definition, yet watching the play again makes me question their decision. Looking at the play at regular speed, it appears to be a touchdown. However, as a Bears fan, let me say I'm definitely not angry at the call!!

It's Notre Dame week for the Spartans here on campus-the atmosphere at Spartan Stadium should be electric as kickoff draws nearer-more on the game later this week.
In other news, I would highly recommend making a visit to Insomnia Cookies if you happen to be near East Lansing. The service is quick, the prices are fair, and most importantly, the cookies and other treats are delicious! Check back here for more on Notre Dame and my other thoughts later in the week.
--Beau

Saturday, September 11, 2010

College Football and Weekend Thoughts

What a great weekend it's been for college football. If you're a sports fan (as I am), these past two days have presented a wealth of opportunities for football-related viewing.
The weekend opened with a very competitive Marshall-West Virginia game-a disappointing missed field goal at the end for Marshall capped off an otherwise well-played game. It was nice to see a school like Marshall receive more exposure,and they proved they have some talented players in quarterback Brian Anderson and running back Martin Ward.
Today received billing as 'Monster Saturday', and rightfully so. #1 Alabama and #17 Penn State played to a 24-3 result thanks to 'Bama's young and suddenly much improved defense, Ohio State took down 'The U' behind the arm and legs of Terrelle Pryor, South Carolina knocked off Georgia behind 37 carries and 2 TD's from freshman Marcus Lattimore, and Denard Robinson put Michigan on his back in compiling 502 total yards in an eventual fourth quarter defeat of Notre Dame.

Alabama played well despite not having Mark Ingram for the second straight week, which is good news for the Tide, as Ingram still appears to be week-to-week on that injured ankle. I'll personally be interested to see whether Lattimore and Robinson will continue to post the same type of statistics once they enter the teeth of the SEC and Big Ten schedules respectively. I highly doubt that teams like Wisconsin or especially Alabama will allow these two threats to run so extensively, but that's why we play four quarters every Saturday.
Thoughts on this weekend's action? Post any and all comments.
--Beau

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Week 2, Continued....

It's amazing how fast time flies by when you're not at home. Already it's Thursday, and with only one class tomorrow, I can already see the weekend. It's incredible to think that I've been at State for a week-and-a-half already! I've met so many great people and made alot of awesome connections. There's truly everything that one could ask for in a university at Michigan State-an amazing campus, great people, resourceful and helpful staff and faculty, and chances to build new relationships around every corner.

I was able to see the Vikings-Saints NFL Kickoff game tonight-the 14-9 final tally was a rather low score in my estimation. While neither team scored in the second half, I was slightly surprised with the play of Brett Favre. He seems to have found a reliable new receiving option in tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, but at times he seemed to have a startling lack of mobility in the pocket. Perhaps his ankle and knee will take more time to recover than previously thought.....
Thoughts on tonight's game or any other relevant topics? Let me know, all comments are welcome.
--Beau

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Michigan State, Week 2

The second week of classes (although not a full one!) starts here at Michigan State today. I'm already amazed at the amount of opportunities available to students in terms of class advice, career advising and the chance to connect with other students and professionals in one's field.
To that end, I've started a Twitter account-be sure to follow me @BeauHayhoe for even more news and updates!

Now, for Pop Culture-I hope to turn this into a weekly to semi-weekly section featuring my opinions of recent movies or music. Please let me know if you'd like me to review or comment on a specific matter.

This week, I'll focus on the new George Clooney movie, 'The American', which  I saw this weekend. The movie features a nice balance of intrigue, suspense, and drama, with a very serious performance by Clooney.
However, if you're searching for a dialogue and action-heavy movie, this might not be the film for you. It's a rather 'artsy' spy movie that's  slanted as an 'action' movie by the trailers, although definitely plays out differently. This movie could potentially be a candidate for awards once the season rolls around, as the cinematography is beautiful and at times breath-taking.

Overall Rating: 5.5/10

If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement, don't hesitate to make your opinion known-I would really appreciate it!
--Beau

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Michigan State versus Western Michigan...

For the first time in my Spartan Stadium event 'career', I had the opportunity to watch Michigan State football as a Michigan State student,in the student section, this past Saturday.
The differences between sitting in 'regular' seats, and standing alongside fellow students in the southwest corner of the stadium are actually quite noticeable.
Whereas before I was one of only a handful of people to get involved in the game (at least in our area), in the student section I was surrounded by thousands of kids just as passionate as me! The atmosphere was electric, and it made the pre-game rituals that I've witnessed so many times that much better.
The band pouring out onto the field from the tunnel, the playing of the MSU Alma Mater, and the traditional pre-game highlight video set to AC/DC''s 'Thunderstruck'  were considerably more fun to watch with my friends and fellow students.
The game itself did not disappoint, at least not in the 'win' column. After a shaky first quarter, I thought the Spartans were able to put things in gear behind the running back tandem of Leveon Bell and Edwin Baker, both of whom rushed for over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns apiece. They also received some help from a bulked-up Keith Nichol at wideout, who put 6 of his own on the board with an acrobatic catch in the 2nd quarter.
The defense displayed a solid effort in my opinion, limiting the Broncos to 85 yards on 32 team carries, and giving up no major plays. Penalties and missed tackles remained issues though, although against a team of Western Michigan's caliber, the mediocre takedowns got the job done.
The Spartans take on Florida Atlantic next Saturday at Ford Field, in a game that should be a victory, assuming Michigan State prepares accordingly.
We're off for Labor Day tomorrow, before a four-day week of classes begins.

--Beau

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Intial Thoughts-Michigan State University

These first few days on campus at Michigan State University have been a whirlwind of activity! It's amazing how large campus is, and yet at the same time very manageable in terms of walking around.
I've already met so many unique, diverse and interesting people even just on my floor in West Holden.
The University Welcome featuring Dave Eggers (author of the 'One Book, One Community' selection, 'Zeitoun') was very interesting, and Eggers presented a very applicable message about finding one's purpose or calling- I think Michigan State presents a great opportunity for all students to do just that.

In other campus happenings, I would strongly recommend the new Brody cafeteria-it includes 9 different cuisine stations, all of which are extremely delicious, and I hope to be able to eat there more!
Classes start today, and already campus has a slightly different feel to it. I myself am looking forward to my first college course this afternoon, in Wells Hall (MTH 103). After that, it's a regular Thursday and Friday schedule before the university closes for Labor Day.
Be sure to look for my upcoming Michigan State-Western  Michigan football game preview later this week!
-Beau