Chiefs Spartans QB Connor Cook shines in the spotlight - Page 10

oaklandhater · 10-19-2015, 02:53 PM

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/spo...ight/74024162/

East Lansing — Connor Cook relishes the big stage.

The fifth-year senior quarterback has made his name in the spotlight, and he’ll have a chance to do that again Saturday when No. 7 Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor to take on No. 12 Michigan.

“Connor Cook does a great job,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “He’s been in big games before, he’s excelled in big games before.”

It’s something that has been in the works since Cook set foot on the field for the Spartans. The first signal of his flair for the dramatic came in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl when, as a redshirt freshman, he took over for junior Andrew Maxwell and led the Spartans on the winning drive.

It was a sign of things to come as Cook wrestled the starting job from Maxwell the next fall and carried the Spartans on a journey that continues today.

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The past couple seasons, Cook has led Michigan State to two straight bowl victories as a starter — beating Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl and Baylor in last season’s Cotton Bowl.

In 2013 alone, a season he started as Maxwell’s backup, Cook was at his best in Michigan State’s biggest games. He was named MVP of the Big Ten championship game when Michigan State handed Ohio State coach Urban Meyer his only loss to a conference opponent, and was Offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl.

He continued that success last season as Michigan State had its most prolific offensive run in history. Cook threw for 3,214 yards and 24 touchdowns while the Spartans set records for points (559), total offense (6,510) offensive touchdowns (70) and scoring average (43 points).

His best games came in Michigan State’s losses — 343 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon and 358 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State.

But, he closed with another classic.

Michigan State trailed Baylor, 41-21, in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl, only to come storming back with three unanswered touchdowns, the last a 10-yard strike from Cook to Keith Mumphery with 17 seconds left. It left Cook in tears on the sidelines as he overcame two interceptions to throw for 314 yards and two touchdowns.

Now the winningest quarterback in Michigan State history at 29-3, Cook is looking forward to that next big game, and loves the idea of playing in front of a hostile crowd.

“In an environment like that as soon as Michigan makes one big play, the stadium is going to erupt,” Cook said. “But we’ve just got to continue to fight forward and fight to the end.”

Back in rhythm

It’s something Cook and the Spartans have grown accustomed to the past two seasons. Cook’s numbers prove that, as does the fact Michigan State has won 32 of its last 35 games, including 10 straight Big Ten road games.

That seasoning in difficult environments is something Cook believes will pay off at Michigan Stadium, the only Big Ten venue where the senior class has not won.

DETROIT NEWS
Michigan vs. MSU: Who has the edge

“Playing in stadiums like Iowa, in stadiums like Nebraska, playing at the Rose Bowl and playing Ohio State at Indianapolis when 75-80 percent of the people there were rooting for Ohio State (prepares you),” Cook said. “We’ve played in loud environments before, playing at Oregon, so obviously playing in those type of venues will have me ready for a venue like this.”

And it doesn’t hurt that Cook appears to be finding his rhythm after a bit of a sluggish start.

Cook had a career-high 367 yards in last week’s victory over Rutgers. But it was the way he threw the ball under pressure that was impressive. With the game on the line, he threaded a pass to R.J. Shelton for 29 yards on third down as the Spartans marched for the winning score.

It certainly drew the attention of the Wolverines.

“Outstanding quarterback,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “The record speaks for itself: 29-3. ... And the most outstanding wide receivers that we’ve played against, or may ever. This is an explosive, talented group of eligible receivers.”

Cook spread the ball around last week as Aaron Burbridge had 10 catches for 156 yards and Macgarrett Kings Jr. and DeAnthony Arnett had touchdown receptions. It was the type of play many expected when Cook’s name was mentioned in the Heisman race before the season. And it was one his coaches knew was possible if they opened up the offense.

“He’s performed real well,” co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner said before last week’s game. “He’s thrown the ball well, higher percentage, which is one thing we talked about going into this season.

“At the same time we need to start expanding his role a little bit maybe and throw it around a little bit more.”

Stiff test anticipated

Cook’s 39 attempts last week were a season high, and that could continue this week against Michigan’s defense, which is allowing fewer points (6.3) than any team in the nation.

The Wolverines also are coming off three straight shutouts and have the No. 2 total defense in the country, but that won’t force Cook to shy away.

In fact, he’s embracing another opportunity to shine in a big game.

“For them to pitch three straight shutouts, that’s hard to do in college football, doesn’t matter who you are, doesn’t matter who you are playing,” Cook said. “To shut out the opponent, that’s hard to do, and they have a great defense.

“So me as a quarterback, us as an offense, and us as a team, we’re looking forward to going into there and playing against a defense like that because you want to play against the best, and you want to play against the top-ranked teams, top-ranked defenses.”

Saccopoo · 10-20-2015, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Williams

Sacc, is Hogan declaring this year? He's a senior, right?

Hogan is a senior. Four year starter at Stanford. Progressed every year and is really playing well right now.

When he's on, he looks like he should be the first pick in the draft.

I think he, like Lynch, still has their arrow pointing up in terms of getting better.

**RealSNR** · 10-20-2015, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

That's one of the most absurd things I've ever heard. I never claimed it was the end all and be all, but the stats are a good barometer on a players skill set.

Do you know the top 5 QBs in career NCAA passing yards?

1. Case Keenum
2. Timmy Chang
3. Landry Jones
4. Graham Harrell
5. Ty Detmer

Bad college stats generally mean you won't be able to hack it in the pros. Good college stats still make things a crapshoot. There's no correlation between one guy's stats being better than another player's and success in the NFL. They're just not a very useful evaluation criteria.

BigChiefFan · 10-20-2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealSNR

Do you know the top 5 QBs in career NCAA passing yards?

1. Case Keenum
2. Timmy Chang
3. Landry Jones
4. Graham Harrell
5. Ty Detmer

Bad college stats generally mean you won't be able to hack it in the pros. Good college stats still make things a crapshoot. There's no correlation between one guy's stats being better than another player's and success in the NFL. They're just not a very useful evaluation criteria.

You didn't read a damn thing I said if this is your response and your post has zero merit in discrediting my stance. My point on Cook is that he is consistent. Doesn't turn the ball over much. Delivers in the clutch. Plays in a Pro Style offense and has a strong arm and good accuracy. Stats don't tell the whole story, but disregarding them is asinine. If you don't like the player, fine by me, but don't pull shit out your ass and fling it on the wall, hoping it sticks.

**RealSNR** · 10-20-2015, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

You didn't read a damn thing I said if this is your response and your post has zero merit in discrediting my stance. My point on Cook is that he is consistent. Doesn't turn the ball over much. Delivers in the clutch. Plays in a Pro Style offense and has a strong arm and good accuracy. Stats don't tell the whole story, but disregarding them is asinine. If you don't like the player, fine by me, but don't pull shit out your ass and fling it on the wall, hoping it sticks.

Then you obviously didn't read mine, either.

I said they're a benchmark criteria. And that's it. They're not correlational. You can't draw a line between the better stats a guy has the more success he'll have.

And these days EVERY QB pretty much meets that benchmark criteria.

Therefore, they're not important at all.

go bo · 10-20-2015, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

It's somewhere in the Alex Smith thread.

I'm just piling on him for being so mad that he took the time to build up enough to neg rep like 6 posts in around an hour insisting I was crying with all that no rep I leave lol

If I had any problems with him, it would be that he's a type of person that goes head first into any bullshit the Chiefs try to serve as roses and white knight for a dumb team. That fan type is why this team has no actual plan and unfortunately, they are the majority.

i don't know that i'd say that the majority of chiefs fans are like sr...

and after last year, i think the majority of fans are pretty reasonable and capable of expressing themselves better than any other fan base in the usa...

sr is really ok, he's just a little excitable and thinks in very concrete terms which makes it difficult to understand some of his more cryptic posts...

but he's always entertaining, if you don't take his comments too seriously...

Sweet Daddy Hate · 10-21-2015, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Hogan is a senior. Four year starter at Stanford. Progressed every year and is really playing well right now.

When he's on, he looks like he should be the first pick in the draft.

I think he, like Lynch, still has their arrow pointing up in terms of getting better.

If Lynch doesn't declare, I'm leaning more towards this guy every day.

Goff makes me uneasy and I swear every time I watch Cook, I hear a voice in the back of my head whispering "Sanchez".

Which is not necessarily a bad thing but Sanchez, when on in college, made Cook look like Thigpen.

I don't know where Hogan is projected right now but if we could pick him up in round 2, I wouldn't be too terribly upset, if that's possible.

Red Dawg · 10-21-2015, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Some mid con broke dick RG... Its safe and low risk of helping the franchise contend. Ensures 7-9 and BBQ smoke.

If They don't take a QB then shame on all the fans for going to the games. There shouldn't be any smoke.

**the Talking Can** · 10-21-2015, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Who did Roethlisberger face in college? How about Joe Flacco?

this

**Indian Chief** · 10-21-2015, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealSNR

Do you know the top 5 QBs in career NCAA passing yards?

1. Case Keenum
2. Timmy Chang
3. Landry Jones
4. Graham Harrell
5. Ty Detmer

Dear lord that list is awful. Seeing Detmer also reminds me of the horrible performance of former Heisman winners in the NFL.

RunKC · 10-23-2015, 10:46 AM

Interesting take from a scout on Connor Cook..

Quote:

I asked one scout this week about Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook, and specifically the fact that he wasn't voted a team captain. His reply: "Did you like (AJ) McCarron? That's who he is.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...ook-for-week-7

Having said that, I don't agree with that at all.

O.city · 10-23-2015, 10:58 AM

Cook has scattershot accuracy

oaklandhater · 10-23-2015, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Cook has scattershot accuracy

Connor Cook is scary accurate as a draft prospect. He can make the throws with absolute precision

http://nflmocks.com/2015/05/16/conno...outing-report/

O.city · 10-23-2015, 11:05 AM

What's his completion percentage this year?

oaklandhater · 10-23-2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

What's his completion percentage this year?

57.4

That being said his Wr's are dropping everything this year.

oaklandhater · 10-23-2015, 11:10 AM

He can make some amazing Short yard Passes he is scary accurate in the 1-15 yard range he would be perfect in a West Coast Offense.

10-19-2015, 02:53 PM
oaklandhater future chiefs fans Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oakland california Casino cash: $5798993	Spartans QB Connor Cook shines in the spotlight http://www.detroitnews.com/story/spo...ight/74024162/ East Lansing — Connor Cook relishes the big stage. The fifth-year senior quarterback has made his name in the spotlight, and he’ll have a chance to do that again Saturday when No. 7 Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor to take on No. 12 Michigan. “Connor Cook does a great job,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “He’s been in big games before, he’s excelled in big games before.” It’s something that has been in the works since Cook set foot on the field for the Spartans. The first signal of his flair for the dramatic came in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl when, as a redshirt freshman, he took over for junior Andrew Maxwell and led the Spartans on the winning drive. It was a sign of things to come as Cook wrestled the starting job from Maxwell the next fall and carried the Spartans on a journey that continues today. DETROIT NEWS Feng: MSU won't be able to run vs. Michigan The past couple seasons, Cook has led Michigan State to two straight bowl victories as a starter — beating Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl and Baylor in last season’s Cotton Bowl. In 2013 alone, a season he started as Maxwell’s backup, Cook was at his best in Michigan State’s biggest games. He was named MVP of the Big Ten championship game when Michigan State handed Ohio State coach Urban Meyer his only loss to a conference opponent, and was Offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl. He continued that success last season as Michigan State had its most prolific offensive run in history. Cook threw for 3,214 yards and 24 touchdowns while the Spartans set records for points (559), total offense (6,510) offensive touchdowns (70) and scoring average (43 points). His best games came in Michigan State’s losses — 343 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon and 358 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State. But, he closed with another classic. Michigan State trailed Baylor, 41-21, in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl, only to come storming back with three unanswered touchdowns, the last a 10-yard strike from Cook to Keith Mumphery with 17 seconds left. It left Cook in tears on the sidelines as he overcame two interceptions to throw for 314 yards and two touchdowns. Now the winningest quarterback in Michigan State history at 29-3, Cook is looking forward to that next big game, and loves the idea of playing in front of a hostile crowd. “In an environment like that as soon as Michigan makes one big play, the stadium is going to erupt,” Cook said. “But we’ve just got to continue to fight forward and fight to the end.” Back in rhythm It’s something Cook and the Spartans have grown accustomed to the past two seasons. Cook’s numbers prove that, as does the fact Michigan State has won 32 of its last 35 games, including 10 straight Big Ten road games. That seasoning in difficult environments is something Cook believes will pay off at Michigan Stadium, the only Big Ten venue where the senior class has not won. DETROIT NEWS Michigan vs. MSU: Who has the edge “Playing in stadiums like Iowa, in stadiums like Nebraska, playing at the Rose Bowl and playing Ohio State at Indianapolis when 75-80 percent of the people there were rooting for Ohio State (prepares you),” Cook said. “We’ve played in loud environments before, playing at Oregon, so obviously playing in those type of venues will have me ready for a venue like this.” And it doesn’t hurt that Cook appears to be finding his rhythm after a bit of a sluggish start. Cook had a career-high 367 yards in last week’s victory over Rutgers. But it was the way he threw the ball under pressure that was impressive. With the game on the line, he threaded a pass to R.J. Shelton for 29 yards on third down as the Spartans marched for the winning score. It certainly drew the attention of the Wolverines. “Outstanding quarterback,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “The record speaks for itself: 29-3. ... And the most outstanding wide receivers that we’ve played against, or may ever. This is an explosive, talented group of eligible receivers.” Cook spread the ball around last week as Aaron Burbridge had 10 catches for 156 yards and Macgarrett Kings Jr. and DeAnthony Arnett had touchdown receptions. It was the type of play many expected when Cook’s name was mentioned in the Heisman race before the season. And it was one his coaches knew was possible if they opened up the offense. “He’s performed real well,” co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner said before last week’s game. “He’s thrown the ball well, higher percentage, which is one thing we talked about going into this season. “At the same time we need to start expanding his role a little bit maybe and throw it around a little bit more.” Stiff test anticipated Cook’s 39 attempts last week were a season high, and that could continue this week against Michigan’s defense, which is allowing fewer points (6.3) than any team in the nation. The Wolverines also are coming off three straight shutouts and have the No. 2 total defense in the country, but that won’t force Cook to shy away. In fact, he’s embracing another opportunity to shine in a big game. “For them to pitch three straight shutouts, that’s hard to do in college football, doesn’t matter who you are, doesn’t matter who you are playing,” Cook said. “To shut out the opponent, that’s hard to do, and they have a great defense. “So me as a quarterback, us as an offense, and us as a team, we’re looking forward to going into there and playing against a defense like that because you want to play against the best, and you want to play against the top-ranked teams, top-ranked defenses.”
Posts: 24,003

10-23-2015, 10:58 AM	#146
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-765936	Cook has scattershot accuracy
Posts: 84,249

10-23-2015, 11:05 AM	#148
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-765936	What's his completion percentage this year?
Posts: 84,249

10-23-2015, 11:10 AM	#150
oaklandhater future chiefs fans Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oakland california Casino cash: $5798993	He can make some amazing Short yard Passes he is scary accurate in the 1-15 yard range he would be perfect in a West Coast Offense.
Posts: 24,003