3 things we learned against Purdue

Three takeaways from The Detroit News’ Connor Earegood: Michigan State’s 24-17 victory over Purdue At week 13.

Even amidst progress, inconsistency issues remain

If there’s one consistent characteristic of the Michigan State football team this season, it’s the team’s inconsistency. From game to game, quarter to quarter and snap to snap, breakthroughs among the Spartans’ many problems were often dissipated by mistakes that put them right back where they started.

Against Purdue, Michigan State had some pretty serious inconsistency. Taking a 24-3 lead after a fairly dominant first half, the team collapsed in the second half, failing to score another point and allowing Purdue to take multiple possession plays that brought the game close to a score.

“You play the ball to them and they go and score, you play the ball to them and they go and score and all of a sudden it’s a one-score game,” Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said after the win Friday. “I would say, looking at it, it became a one-score game; it was for a while, most of the fourth quarter. And there was no panic from our guys. And then these guys finally found a way to do enough to win the game.”

In a Jekyl-and-Hyde performance, it’s hard to tell exactly which side the real Michigan State is. The team that can bury a weak opponent or the team that cannot close out their performance? It’s actually a mix of both, but Friday’s narrow win showed just how much the latter can come back to bite the Spartans.

“That’s a sloppy ending, you know what I mean?” Defender Jordan Turner said after the match that he was disappointed with his performance. “We expect us to finish better, especially when one of our main themes this week was consistency and execution. So we have to do it not just in the first half, but until it’s four nil.”

RBs are a preferred target in the receiving game

Nate Carter was firmly entrenched in Purdue’s mind.

After scoring a 20-yard field goal from a wheel route in the second quarter, he lined up with a key third down later in the second half. Immediately, Purdue’s defense shouted that he was steering and locked on him as he ran a way out toward the apartment. Michigan State didn’t change the play, but Carter made a defender and an adjustment just because of the threat of getting on the field.

The performance of Carter and fellow running back Kay’ron Lynch-Adams showed two major improvements: Not only are the running backs a key contributor on the receiving end, but they can also be effective enough to keep the defense engaged against the threat. They can play a big game.

“We tried a few different things to give them different touches as well as deliver to them,” Smith said. “That was a big touchdown pass by Nate in the red zone, he’s had a few good catches this season looking back. And I really thought both of those guys played pretty well.

Carter and Lynch-Adams finished the day with five catches, including Carter’s touchdown in the second quarter.

The overall effectiveness of the running backs in the receiving game adds a dynamic element that helps the offense as a whole. When linebackers and safeties have to pay attention to any running back running a route, Nick Marsh or Montorie Foster Jr. They can’t listen to playmaking receivers like. This is another way to force the respect of opposing defenses.

It looks like we also expect the running backs to contribute in the passing game next week against Rutgers. Judging by Friday night’s performance, the group could provide a lot of help.

Spartans can rely on their defense

Five consecutive second-half punts from the offense put the game in the hands of Michigan State’s defense against Purdue. Things got dicey as the unit allowed two scores on its first two drives to bring the score to one touchdown. His back was firmly against the wall.

He broke out of a defensive jam and forced a quick punt, an interception and a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter as the game remained within striking distance. The defense found a way to win when Michigan State leaned entirely on it, with little help from the offense and even through mistakes of its own.

A dominant first half set the tone on defense, allowing only a field goal on Purdue’s opening drive and shutting things down until halftime.

“We really stepped out of the zone when we needed to and didn’t allow too many points,” Turner said. “I guess they finished the game with what (negative-4) rushing yards? That’s why we closed it. “But we came out fast and physical, but we need to finish the second half better.”

This doesn’t mean the defense is perfect. He nearly fired a scoring shot to Purdue receiver Jahmal Edrine, who was wide open on the right side of the field, but he knocked down what would have been the equalizer. Even then the defense shined in other games.

The passing offense shined, including at critical times, sacking quarterback Hudson Card three times and putting much more pressure on him. That’s what led to the game-winning defensive stop on a turnover on downs, with Card darting out of the pocket and throwing a pass that hit the dirt. An interception and a botched recovery also stole two items.

“Giving up 17 points and having two turnovers on defense is a serious effort,” Smith said.

All in all, it was an excellent performance by the defense on Friday, even though offensive errors added to the intense pressure. Breakouts like this are games the team can count on when the going is tough, meaning the rest of the season hinges on winning. The defense was up to the task against Purdue, and its performance under pressure bodes well for everything leading up to Saturday’s game against Rutgers.

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@ConnorEaregood

Even amidst progress, inconsistency issues remain

RBs are a preferred target in the receiving game

Spartans can rely on their defense

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