First Half Analysis: Missed tackles, inept offense plague MSU vs. Washington

It's been a ugly game thus far for the Spartans...

Author:
Matthew Lounsberry
Publish date:
Sep 16, 2023 6:53 PM EDT

In this story:

Michigan State entered today's game with No. 8 Washington with a lot of emotion and excitement, but that the air was let out of Spartan Stadium early in this one.

The Spartans have struggled to get anything going offensively, and have been plagued by some of the same old problems defensively — missed tackles and blown assignments — as the Huskies have breezed their way to a 35-0 halftime lead.

Here's what we observed in the first half...

Michigan State Offense

- The Spartans are still having a hard time getting a push up front with their run game. Even adjusting for the sacks that Noah Kim took in the first half, Michigan State has rushed for just 31 yards (2.8 yards per carry) on the ground. After rushing for over 100 yards in each of the first two weeks, Nathan Carter was held to 26 yards on seven carries in that opening half.

- Tough time for Kim to throw his first career interception. The Spartans had just gotten a third down stop on defense, and began their drive with 15 free yards on a pass interference. But, the pick set up the Huskies right back at midfield and U-W took advantage just a couple plays later.

- Great second down play call on MSU's third drive by Jay Johnson when Kim faked the pitch, faked the QB sweep and threw in Carter's direction. Unfortunately, Kim overthrew Carter who was open for a first down and potentially more. Kim took a sack on the next play to kill the drive. That's a throw that Kim HAS to complete.

- Kim did orchestrate a nice two-minute drive to end the half, leading the Spartans down to U-W's 34 yard line, but the drive stalled there. Kim is 11-for-25 for 122 yards through 30 minutes. In Kim's defense, Michigan State did him no favors with their lack of run game, but it was a rough half for Kim. With the game lopsided, it might be time to see what redshirt freshman Katin Houser's got.

Michigan State Defense

- It was a bad sign when Michigan State's secondary had a blown coverage assignment on Washington's first play from scrimmage. Missed tackles really plagued the Spartans on their first defensive drive, as two of the four plays it took U-W to score should have been tackles for loss.

- Another blown assignment on a deep route, and another missed tackle near the goal line for Michigan State. The Spartans have let Michael Penix Jr. have too much time in the pocket, and that's a recipe for disaster. That's exactly what the first half turned into for MSU.

- Even when Michigan State did some good things, Washington still came up with big plays. On the Huskies fourth drive, cornerback Charles Brantley had pretty good coverage on Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, but Odunze made an incredible grab for a 50-yard gain. This came after MSU had pinned the Huskies at their own four yard line with a nice punt. Then, later on the drive, linebacker Jordan Hall deflected a Penix Jr. pass up into the air, but Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk caught it out of the air, broke a tackle and ran it in 30 yards for another touchdown. It probably isn't your day when even good defense gets punished...

- Michigan State surrendered 409 yards of offense to the Huskies in one half of football. Washington is averaging 12.4 yards per play. Penix Jr. went 20-for-25 for 375 yards and four touchdowns in the half. Yes, this U-W offense is one of the best in America, but MSU's fanbase is tired of seeing performances like this from its defense.

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