First Things First

First down efficiency will tell the story against Michigan State. 

In the first half against Central Michigan, a team with a talented passer, two good receiving targets, speed on the outside, and a pedestrian run-game (sounds like ND to me) MSU blitzed on over 75 percent of their defensive first downs in the first two quarters. 

Dan Lefevour, the excellent Chippewa signal caller, handled the first half pressure admirably (if not brilliantly) and kept Central Michigan in the game, down by just four at half. In the second half MSU blitzed only twice in fourteen first down opportunities. Consequently, Lefevour was able to settle in, go over the 300-yard mark fo...

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