Lewerke, Michigan State hope offense returns against Hoosiers

Through two games of the 2018 season, the #24 Michigan Stateoffense hasn’t quite been able to return to the form and success it had a season ago, but after a

Through two games of the 2018 season, the #24 Michigan Stateoffense hasn’t quite been able to return to the form and success it had a season ago, but after a bye week last week, the No. 24 ranked Spartans are hoping to return to form on Saturday night against Indiana.

Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke spoke with reporters earlier this week and said he hasn’t seen the same kind of execution from the offense so far this year but expects the unit to return to form this week as long as the Spartans keep turnovers and penalties to a minimum against the Hoosiers.

“Kind of execute how we did ending last year, I don’t think we’ve really gotten back to that, we’ve taken a little bit to get off the ground this year in our first two games,” he said. “So I think our overall execution, smoothness of our offense, minimizing penalties and turnovers are really key for us.”

Michigan State’s offensive line struggles have been well documented so far this year as the Spartans have been without starting left tackle Cole Chewins for all but one offensive play this year and have also been shuffling between Matt Allen and Tyler Higby at center.

Because of the offensive line problems, Lewerke has been under pressure plenty this season but said that should not prevent him from being able to throw the ball downfield and added that while there are times when the line makes an error, there are also areas where he can improve as well.

‘There’s times where I need to get the ball out quicker and there’s times where the o-line messes up,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, but I’m good, I’m confident, I can take a couple of hits in the pocket, it’s not too big of a deal to me when we want to get those deep routes too.”

The Spartans may have some good news heading into Saturday’s game against the Hoosiers as left guard David Beedle and running back L.J. Scott, who were injured against Arizona State, were listed as starters on the depth chart released earlier this week.

As the Spartan offense has prepared for Indiana, Lewerke said there are a couple of things that stand out to him about the Hoosiers, including star safety Jonathan Crawford.

“I think they have a lot of good athletes around the floor,” he said. “No. 9, their safety is a very good player, he led the Big Ten in interceptions last year. They play a lot of man, they’re probably going to bring a couple of blitzes just because in general, they like to blitz. Us as a team, we haven’t done the greatest job of recognizing those blitzes and getting the ball out or picking it and that’s something we have to focus on.”

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