Time in system beneficial for 3rd-year QB

Editor’s note: Sports reporter Alex DiFilippo role plays as Kirk Cousins to convince Mark Dantonio why he should be MSU’s quarterback this fall.

Alex DiFilippo

Dear coach Dantonio,

This has to be my job to lose, right?

I’ve put in the time for this team and you’ve seen me drastically improve in the past two years.

I tossed on the redshirt when I walked on campus, knowing I had a long way to go before I was ready to be under center on Saturdays.

I learned all I possibly could under Brian Hoyer, and it’s pretty obvious I know this offense well.

Last season, you rewarded my hard work by giving me opportunities to show what I could do, and I didn’t disappoint. I went 32-for-43 for 310 yards and threw for two touchdowns.

But forget the numbers.

I actually went into the huddle and led this team. My teammates trusted me and I didn’t let them down. I’m game-tested and proven true.

However, I understand this isn’t about putting in the time. This is about finding the best quarterback to help this team get to the Rose Bowl.

Sure my “competitor” can be flashier at times, but I have a trumping trait — consistency.

Those short routes are where I’m at my best. And that’s how you like to run your offense, right coach? Lots of runs and short passes, then we try to burn them with the deep ball. You know I’m ready for those schemes.

And you have to be impressed with my performance in Saturday’s Green and White game.

Our team had quite a few drops in the first half — some I admit were my fault for not putting the ball in a better place for my receivers.

But when we went down 17, I showed why I should be the starting quarterback.

I completely took over our sideline. If you made a drop, forget about it. We will play catch on the sidelines and talk about the play to get your confidence right back up where it belongs.

Wait, we had a good play on defense? I’m first on the scene for the chest-bump.

Instead of putting our tail between our legs when we went down 17, I brought this team back into the game and we scored 21 unanswered points.

Then how about that game-tying drive down the field with under a minute left?

My counterpart on the other side of the field thought the game was over after his touchdown drive with only 50 seconds remaining on the clock.

But that was more than enough time for me. I went 4-for-5 as we drove 53 yards and completed the game-tying throw to Charlie Gantt with no time left on the clock.

It just goes to show why my teammates chose me first in the draft for the spring game. They believe in me coach, and you should too.

I’ve never turned my back on this university. When other quarterbacks were jumping ship after hearing of the new talented transfer coming this summer, I stayed true and upped my preparations.

I knew by coming here I was going to have to battle if I wanted to become the starting quarterback and this competition is far from over.

I’m willing to keep proving myself to you and my teammates until everyone realizes what I’m capable of. And I assure you, this is a competition I’m not going to lose.

Sincerely,

Kirk Cousins