Graduate quarterback Cam Fancher entered the game amid a promising offensive drive. It was first down on the outskirts of the red zone, but after gaining 8 yards in four plays, the drive stalled while Michigan State football's starting quarterback watched from the bench.
The decision to use both quarterbacks has become a familiar one for MSU through five games, but this time it killed the momentum of a drive that could have cut a 14-0 deficit to seven. A choice that might have made the Spartans more competitive in a 31-3 loss to Wisconsin, their 11th straight road defeat.
"Leave it here, walk out and get ready to go back to work on Monday; that's it," MSU head coach Pat Fitzgerald said regarding what he takes away from the game.
While sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic has taken the majority of the offensive snaps this season, Fancher's dual-threat ability has allowed the Spartans to use him when they need a spark. That strategy was on full display against Notre Dame.
Fancher scored MSU's only touchdown in the 27-10 loss, a 15-yard run in the second quarter that trimmed Notre Dame's lead to 17-10 at halftime. He was inches from a touchdown pass, too, but his intended receiver dropped a wide-open ball in the end zone. His legs were a threat defenses had to account for, something they didn't have to worry about with Milivojevic.
Since then, it's been a different story. Instead of jump-starting the offense, Fancher has halted drives.
Last week in a 31-13 loss to Nebraska, MSU trailed 14-3 early in the second quarter and desperately needed a score to stay competitive. The coaches sent out Fancher to start the drive, and two plays in, he threw an interception that set up Nebraska at MSU's 15-yard line. He wasn't seen for the rest of the game.
A similar situation played out against Wisconsin. Milivojevic looked comfortable, taking the snap, diagnosing the defense and finding open receivers quickly. The offense moved 43 yards in eight plays to the Badgers' 32-yard line.
Then he was pulled for Fancher.
It mirrors a baseball manager over-managing by the spreadsheet: yanking a starting pitcher who's rolling in a tight game right when the stakes get highest, just to force a situational matchup with a cold reliever.
