MSU needs more from Hoyer

EAST LANSING - Brian Hoyer got the call from the sideline, a passing play on first down from the Florida Atlantic 21-yard line.

Hoyer delivered instructions in the huddle, got to the line, surveyed the defense, saw a safety creeping back and quickly switched the play. Seconds later, Javon Ringer was diving into the end zone for a 7-0 Michigan State lead, and Hoyer was pumping his fist.

It was one of many dazzling moments on a 282-yard day for MSU's star senior running back - and a quiet example of the value of a fifth-year senior quarterback.

"Last year I might not have been able to do that," Hoyer said.

Starting today, Hoyer has to do more. The numbers, while skewed by circumstance, say it. More importantly, Hoyer and his coaches are saying it.

If the Spartans (2-1) want to have success today against Notre Dame (2-0) and beyond, they must find the offensive balance that has been missing for a variety of reasons through three games.

"This week will be the true test of me and our team," Hoyer said.

"Absolutely," MSU quarterbacks coach Dave Warner said when asked if he's looking for more from his pupil. "Our approach this week is, we've sort of hung our hat on Javon Ringer so far, because of situations and conditions. Now we need to step up at this position and carry our share of the load."

So far, Hoyer is 33 of 75 (44 percent) through the air for 557 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. His passing efficiency rating of 105.45 ranks last among Big Ten starters.

There is, of course, much more to the story.

Data shortage

MSU's offense is averaging just under 200 yards rushing and passing, which sounds like perfect balance. But the Spartans have not yet put both elements together.

In a season-opening 38-31 loss at Cal, they managed just 81 yards rushing and passed for 321. MSU didn't need to pass to pound Eastern Michigan 42-10 the next week, and driving rain wouldn't allow passing in last week's 17-0 win over FAU.

"I would say we're going to be more balanced," MSU coach Mark Dantonio said. "We would have been this last week had we not had the conditions that we had. ... We tried to be balanced against Cal. It went a little bit the other way against Cal. So somewhere there's a happy medium there."

Hoyer's biggest struggles came in the first half at Cal, in which he completed 9 of 22 passes with a costly interception. He was 11 of 26 for 214 yards in the second half, moving MSU's offense to keep the game close and showing "that he can make all the throws," Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis said.

Against EMU, Hoyer passed just 12 times, completing eight for 148 yards. His best throw of the day was a 38-yard loft that B.J. Cunningham dropped in the end zone.

Quietly, that was a bounce-back performance, or so it seemed.

"I can't really evaluate myself (in that game) because we didn't really need to throw the ball in that game," Hoyer said. "And when we did it was there for the taking."

Anyone who witnessed last week's conditions up close understands the pointlessness of the passing statistics. FAU's Rusty Smith (8 of 34 passing) and Hoyer (5 of 15) could barely hold the slippery ball, let alone unleash it with accuracy.

Which brings us to today - nice weather, a quality opponent and a chance for Hoyer's experience to benefit his physical performance.

He said he's more comfortable on the field this year, and starting today he'll have familiarity on his side. Hoyer played against Notre Dame and all of MSU's Big Ten opponents last season.

"I'm excited to play the teams I played last year, where I know their players and schemes," said Hoyer, who threw four touchdowns against the Irish last season. "I feel things will slow down (on the field) even a little bit more."

Veterans emerge

Dantonio said it on July 24 at the podium in a Chicago ballroom, in the hallway to reporters immediately afterward, at a round-table session a day later and at MSU's media day the following week.

"The key to our season will be how our seniors display their leadership," he said. "Last year our guys were very, very good in that respect."

You're seeing some of them respond on the field. Ringer. Otis Wiley. Justin Kershaw. Offensive linemen Roland Martin and Jesse Miller are playing their best football at MSU, line coach Dan Roushar said.

At some point, maybe today, the Spartans will need Hoyer to win a game for them. Ringer has all the attention after rushing for 417 yards on 77 carries in the past two games.

"If anyone could kind of stifle (Ringer) at all," Weis said, "I still think (MSU's coaches) feel confident enough that Hoyer can make enough plays to win for them."

The Fighting Irish would love to be able to do some stifling and test that confidence. Hoyer may be calling his own number more often at the line until opponents are discouraged from daring him.

"We are a balanced offense. I think people might forget about that," Ringer said. "Hopefully, Notre Dame will forget about our passing game and will stack the box."