Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has become known for its tough, hard-hitting defenses. The upcoming College Football Playoff semifinal pits strength against strength, as the Spartans will be tasked with containing Alabama’s Heisman-winning running back Derrick Henry. Linebacker Jon Reschke told SpartanTailgate.com that they are up for the challenge, and plan to be physical with the imposing Henry.

“We are going to have to hit him harder – harder than we’ve ever hit anyone else,” Reschke said. “It’s a challenge we are accepting.”

Reschke and fellow linebacker Riley Bullough have been talking about Henry for weeks, and even tweeted him their congratulations after he won the Heisman, much to the dismay of their coaches.

Congrats @KingHenry_2! Excited to play against a heisman winner!! Hopefully you don’t think me and @J_Reschke33 are that weird but oh well — Riley Bullough (@RileyBullough) December 13, 2015

“I was like, ‘Can’t wait to play you, man,’” Reschke said. “Coach (Mike) Tressel came up to me and was like, ‘Why are you guys being buddy-buddy with Derrick Henry?’ We were like, ‘We are just messing around with him and letting him know we are thinking about him.’”

Fans of physical football are in for a great one on New Year’s Eve.

[SpartanTailgate.com]