Skip to main content
Spartan Nation

First Half Analysis: Michigan State up big early vs. Rutgers

The Spartans came to play today!
Matthew Lounsberry|
First Half Analysis: Michigan State up big early vs. Rutgers
First Half Analysis: Michigan State up big early vs. Rutgers

In this story:

Michigan State SpartansRutgers Scarlet Knights

In a game that holds significant bowl game implications, Michigan State showed up ready to play for Saturday's matchup against Rutgers.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser made his first career start in this one, and his efforts combined with a stout defensive performance has the Spartans leading the Scarlet Knights, 17-6, as the teams hit the locker room.

Here are our early observations from the first half of play:

Michigan State Offense

  • Led by Houser, Michigan State went right down the field and scored on its opening possession. The redshirt freshman had a heart-stopping moment when he fumbled a handoff exchange with tailback Nathan Carter on a fourth down play, but Houser recovered his own fumble and converted the first down. On the drive, the freshman went 4-for-4 passing for 42 yards, including a laser with pinpoint accuracy to Montorie Foster Jr. for a touchdown.
  • Michigan State continues to be really bad in short-yardage situations. While the fumble on fourth down ended up working out anyway, the Spartans were stuffed on their second fourth down attempt when Carter was hit two yards behind the line of scrimmage by a free blitzer. MSU caught another break, however, as the hit on Carter was deemed as 'targeting'.
  • The Spartans have struggled with turnovers for much of the year, and the rainy conditions were a concern heading into the game. Those concerns were validated midway through the second quarter, when wide receiver Alante Brown fumbled following a reception. Fortunately, Michigan State's defense stepped up and held Rutgers to a field goal attempt, which was missed. MSU fumbled again later in the quarter, when Foster coughed it up after taking a big hit. The Spartan defense stepped up again however, with an interception of its own. Michigan State has been fortunate that its two giveaways have not cost them any points.
  • While Rutgers hasn't capitalized on MSU's big mistakes, the Spartans' offense cashed in on two of the Scarlet Knights' turnovers late in the second quarter. After Rutgers muffed a punt inside its own 15 yard line, offensive coordinator Jay Johnson dialed up a designed quarterback draw for Houser, who waltzed in to the end zone for an easy score. A nice call from Johnson, and a huge sequence of plays for Michigan State. Then, following an interception by Jaden Mangham, the Spartans added a field goal to close out the half with an 11-point lead.

Michigan State Defense

  • Starting safety Malik Spencer had to leave the field early due to injury, and was replaced by Khalil Majeed on MSU's second defensive possession. Majeed came up with a big sack on the drive, which helped the Spartans force the second Rutgers field goal. Spencer exited the injury tent some time later, but did not Majeed, a transfer from Wisconsin, has not gotten a lot of playing time since coming over from the Badgers, but he's making the most out of this opportunity early.
  • Michigan State's secondary was getting shredded early by Rutgers' QB Gavin Wimsatt in the pass game. Wimsatt opened the game completing six of his first eight attempts for 93 yards, but the Spartans tightened up from there. Wimsatt was held to 1-for-7 passing for 27 yards after the hot start, including two interceptions thrown.
  • True freshman cornerback Chance Rucker has been really good since filling in as a starter in place of the injured Charles Brantley. Rucker came up with his first career interception in the second quarter today, picking off Wimsatt off a deflected pass. Later in the quarter, sophomore safety Jaden Mangham got in on the fun, intercepting an overthrow by Wimsatt to give Michigan State's offense one more chance at points before the end of the half.
  • Michigan State came in with a good game plan in this one. The Spartans are zeroed in on stopping Rutgers' ground attack, and have done that through 30 minutes. The Scarlet Knights have just 36 rushing yards and are averaging only three yards per carry at the half. Rutgers isn't equipped to challenge teams through the air, Wimsatt is prone to mistakes, and Michigan State is playing to those tendencies defensively.

For more coverage of Michigan State Athletics:

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Matthew Lounsberry
MATTHEW LOUNSBERRY

Home/Football