MSU Effort Wasn’t Enough to Propel Team Through Costly Mistakes

Costly errors prove too much for MSU on the road. In a game where MSU needed a break, many came and in the form of big plays and went with self-inflicted

Costly errors prove too much for MSU on the road. In a game where MSU needed a break, many came and in the form of big plays and went with self-inflicted derailment. Michigan State believed and never quit. This game will define the rest of MSU’s season as it looks to regroup next week against Northwestern. Michigan State and Wisconsin couldn’t stop one another and defensive stops were at a premium today. Kellen Davis had the blunder of the game and will have to read about his roughing the passer penalty all week. His lapse in discipline will unfortunately be the play remembered as the game’s turning point. I feel bad for Kellen; he played like a warrior most of the afternoon. As the fourth quarter wound down, the team that made the crucial error was going to come out on the losing end. It happened when MSU was poised to steal field position and take the momentum back to the Badger endzone. 

Our MSU men did not quit. I was most happy with their effort and really happy to see their resilience in the fourth quarter. Even with Davis’ costly mistake, MSU was still in a position to win this football game. Give the credit to Wisconsin, they snuffed out Michigan State’s 4th down play and ended the game. 

Michigan State has plenty to work on this week. The penalties were not horrific. They were manageable and Hoyer made huge throws when MSU needed some big plays. Caulcrick was a bulldozer. Ringer proved to be the big gamer we knew he was. He was outstanding running the football and catching passes in the flat. Other than his two drops, Javon earned an A for his gamesmanship today. Devin Thomas is a weapon and credit Treadwell for all the ways that he found to put the ball in Devin’s hands when MSU needed yards and a big play the most. 

There were too many kickoffs returned, too many big passes given up by the defense and MSU’s linebackers looked overmatched at times. There is a reason that Wisconsin has the nation’s longest winning streak. They are a very good football team. They ran into a stout well-coached football team that had to play mistake free to get out of Madison with a “W.” Michigan State has eight wins in the hopper and maybe more if they continue to play with the kind of effort they got from their players today. They haven’t got time to sulk; they won’t collapse with Dantonio at the helm. 

Michigan State can win every game on their remaining schedule. I think OSU’s defense is probably too stout for Michigan State to win in Columbus without some lucky breaks. The remaining games are all winnable and MSU proved today that they are a factor in determining the Big Ten race. We knew a loss was inevitable at some point this season. Let’s hope our boys can learn from this one. They need to be angry, passionate and play with purpose next weekend. I hope that this loss bothers them enough to work harder this week and put Northwestern away early. These guys competed hard for four quarters and Hoyer grew up a ton as MSU’s offensive leader. As MSU’s offensive line gets healthy, they will become a force in the trenches every week. Swenson looked good today kicking field goals. The 53 yard field goal was probably a bit to long for Swenson’s leg, but he looked great otherwise. 

This week will be a tough pill to swallow for our Spartans. They will have to band together and fight through the week and get ready to play the Wildcats next Saturday. If they buckle down, believe in each other and play hard the next four weeks, they’ll be 7-2 when they play Michigan in Spartan Stadium November 3rd. I am seeing a team learn how to fight through adversity and compete every play for four quarters. I am proud of this team. They play black and blue football and they bring it every down. The mistakes made by MSU players will be addressed in practice this week. This staff is doing a great job with these kids and I couldn’t be prouder of the effort our guys displayed today. I am sure their hearts are heavy, but that’s life, that’s college football. Someone had to lose today. Northwestern will be a formidable opponent next week. Michigan State needs to regroup, practice hard and take care of business against the Wildcats. Is there any doubt that they will?