Biggest Issues from Nebraska that MSU Must Address
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Michigan State is now 3-2 overall and 0-2 during Big Ten play after a disheartening 38-27 loss to Nebraska this past Saturday.
Even though the Spartans were coming out of a bye week, several new problems emerged and are a big reason MSU left Lincoln with another defeat. On this episode of the Michigan State Spartans Insider Podcast, I identify what those issues were and the rippling effect it had on the Spartans' overall performance.
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In addition, a transcription of head coach Jonathan Smith's opening statement from his postgame press conference from Saturday has been provided.
Jonathan Smith
SMITH: Okay, I'm going to start. Playing these games competitive and whatnot, I got respect for Coach (Matt) Rhule, that program, congratulations to them. They played better than us, especially in the fourth quarter. They earned the win.
We've got to find a way to play better for four quarters. I think about that first half, we're fortunate to be down only seven, going into halftime with a punt blocked for a touchdown, we've turned the thing over, we gave up a 50-yard punt return.
And again, credit to them, maybe schematically and whatnot. I, starting with me, I got to have this team ready to go faster than they did in the first half.
Was pleased defensively getting around the quarterback, really throughout the whole night. This was the top passing offense maybe in the country coming in. I thought we got a lot of that done.
Credit to our guys, start the third quarter, get a stop, get a score, turnover, take the lead. Some of those fourth-down plays were impressive. We had to finish drives. I think we were 4-for-4 on fourth down at that point. So liked that part of taking the lead.
We do, they go right down and score, and then the dam began to break. Got no answer offensively to match a score, let alone the kickoff return. And this ain't easy, the wind was blowing pretty good, but they tied the game up, the ball catches the wind, we don't feel it, short field position again.
Defensively, I thought bowed up, held them to a field goal, but we still just had no answer offensively.
I think the big thing offensively, look at it, it's 2-of-14 on third down. You ain't going to have much success doing that. So we've got to give them a better plan. We've got to execute it better.
We're back to the balance. I didn't love some of the run game to start the third quarter. That's why some of the fourth downs came up so huge.
We've got to find a way to keep pushing, staying together. It's just what I told them. If we're going to finish better, we've got to stay together. We've got to play better.
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A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
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