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michigan state preview Quarterback Carousel The Spartans are still in search of rhythm on offense By Dan Murphy M ichigan State started the third week of its season with more options at quarterback than it had at the end of training camp. The Spartans bounced from one signal-caller to the next in the first three weeks of the season before finally landing on what looks like a solid starter in redshirt sophomore Connor Cook. In the first two games of the season, both of which were victories, head coach Mark Dantonio used more quarterbacks (three) than the number of touchdowns scored by his offense (two.) Four of the team's first six touchdowns in the 2013 season came directly from the defense. Rather than game film whittling down the number of potential starters, all three struggled in their first outings of the year and opened the door for even more competition. "We've got to find our rhythm. I don't think there's any question about that," Dantonio said. "We're looking for production, looking for somebody to take and seize the moment there." Cook provided the rhythm his team needed to post 55 points Sept. 14 against Youngstown State, the weakest opponent on a very manageable schedule to start the year. The Hinckley, Ohio, product completed 15 of 22 pass attempts in his second career start. He threw for a respectable 202 yards and an impressive four touchdowns to put an end to the revolving door of quarterbacks in East Lansing. Redshirt sophomore Connor Cook may have finally put an end to Michigan State's revolving door at signal-caller when he completed 15 of 22 passes for 202 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the Spartans' 55-17 win over Youngstown State Sept. 14. photo courtesy michigan state The 55-point explosion on the heels of back-to-back anemic performances tied the highest output Michigan State has had while Dantonio has been its coach. Cook started in a 21-6 win over South Florida, but completed only 6 of 11 throws for 32 yards in that game. The 6-4, 218-pound sophomore has a prototypical pro-style quarterback body with the ability to run. He rushed for 70 yards (4.7 yards per carry) in the first three games of the year. That versatility may be the final tipping point to unseat incumbent starter Andrew Maxwell. A fifth-year senior, Maxwell entered the season as the Spartans' default option at quarterback. He completed half of his passes during the first two weeks of the season without an interception or a touchdown, but didn't play against sept. 18, 2013 ✦ Game Facts Date: Sept. 21, 2013. Site: Notre Dame Stadium (80,795). Kickoff: 3:41 p.m. ET. Television: NBC. Radio: This broadcast can be heard live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio (channel 129). Series Facts: This is the 76th meeting between Notre Dame and Michigan State. The Fighting Irish hold a 46-28-1 advantage over the Spartans. Coaches: Notre Dame — Brian Kelly (30-12, fourth season). Michigan State — Mark Dantonio (54-28, sixth season). Noting Michigan State: The winner of the Notre Dame-Michigan State game has taken with it the Megaphone Trophy after each contest since 1949. The Irish have won 32 of those and the Spartans have won 16 … Notre Dame dominated the very early part of this series, beating the Spartans by a combined score of 222-6 in their first eight meetings … Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio was a three-time letter winner at South Carolina as a defensive back and lost his only matchup against the Irish, 13-6, as a player in 1976. Youngstown State. A year ago, he connected on 52.5 percent of his passes while throwing 13 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Maxwell waited three seasons as Kirk Cousins' understudy, but without much help from his receiving corps during the 2012 campaign he was never able to establish roots as a starter or take ownership of the offense. His under-