Observations on the loss to Michigan State, 24-27

Michigan scored 24 points on 4 red zone trips, and Michigan State responded with 17 points in 3 red zone opportunities; however, the Spartans controlled the game offensively with the Wolverines weak cornerback coverage, and converted bombs and 3rd downs all day long for the win. The Spartans took an early lead, and never trailed all afternoon building their lead to 10 points in the final 5 minutes. Michigan State came into the game as 21 point underdogs against #13 Michigan, but they played more aggressively on both sides of the ball and outhit the Wolverines on their home field. Neither team turned the ball over.

Offense had 28 first downs with 452 yards in 86 plays, but only 152 on the ground; Michigan had 8 of 18 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Joe Milton was 32 of 51 for 300 yards; he ran 12 times for 59 yards, and was sacked once. Hassan Haskins carried 8 times for 56 yards, and a TD. Blake Corum had 5 carries for 15 yards and 2 TDs plus 2 receptions for 17 yards. Zach Charbonnet and Chris Evans combined for 8 carries between them for only 13 yards. Giles Jackson had 7 receptions for 58 yards. Roman Wilson had 5 receptions for 71 yards. Cornelius Johnson had 5 catches for 52 yards. Ronnie Bell had 4 catches for 46 yards. They had 3 "three and outs" including one to begin the second half; the offense caught the Spartans twice at 7-7 and 17-17, but couldn't do the job to take the lead when they had opportunities to do so. Our offense was forced into 8 punts by Michigan State; this game exposed a weak offensive line that was expected to be significantly better this season.

Michigan State was well-prepared, and was led by Ann Arborite Antjuan Simmons with 11 tackles; he was also great in pass coverage blanketing Erick All most of the day with two pass break ups. Noah Harvey also had 11 tackles for the Spartans. Naquan Jones anchored a solid defensive line that refused to let the Wolverines establish a running attack. It was a stellar defensive effort for Michigan State as their new coach, Mel Tucker, brought his team with a solid defensive game plan, and it worked. Michigan had 7:34 minutes of time of possession advantage which gave them 16 more offensive plays, but they were unable to capitalize due to a rugged Spartan defense.

Defense really laid an egg today; they couldn't contain the Spartan offense, and allowed them to score every time our offense game back to tie it up. MSU had 20 first downs, and 449 yards in 70 plays. Rocky Lombardi completed 17 of 32 for 323 yards and 3 TDs. Jordan Simmons had 14 carries for 55 yards including a 28 yarder that set up their first passing TD. Ricky White had 8 receptions for 196 yards and a 30 yard TD. Jalen Nailor caught a 53 yarder and a 15 yarder. Connor Heyward caught 2 TDs for 15 yards, and had 13 carries for 28 yards. Our leading tackler at halftime, Cam McGrone left with an injury just before half; he had 7 tackles, and was replaced by walk-on Adam Shibley. Michigan never sacked Lombardi all afternoon nor did they pressure him much as the day wore on. James Ross and Brad Hawkins had 8 tackles each; Daxton Hill, Adam Shibley, and Aidan Hutchison had 7 tackles each. Vincent Gray was finally pulled after an embarassing performance; he was replaced by Jalen Perry who didn't fare much better. Gemon Green did a better job at the other corner, but the Spartan game plan to expose our weak backfield worked to perfection as they torched our cornerbacks for 323 yards and 3 passing TDs.

The Spartans had 5 punts with 4 over 50 yards; the Wolverines had 8 punts with 4 downed inside the 20. Giles Jackson continues to make poor decisions as our deep kickoff and punt returner, but he did get a 38 yard kickoff and 32 yard punt return. Jake Moody had 5 kickoffs for 3 touchbacks, and Quinn Nordin hit his only field goal attempt; they couldn't execute a successful onside kick when needed to give the offense one final possession. Matt Coughlin made two of three field goals, and that ended up being the difference for the Spartan win.

Jim Harbaugh has had 6 seasons to build a championship team; instead, he has taken his 4 and 5 star recruits and given the Wolverine fans winning seasons, but no conference titles. In the meantime, other Big Ten Teams including Michigan State have taken 3 star recruits and developed them into solid Big Ten players; there are several Big Ten Football Programs superior to the Wolverine Program or at the same level as Michigan has sunk to mediocrity in the last decade under the leadership of Jim Harbaugh, Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriquez. Our cornerback, safety and linebacker coverage is atrocious; Chris Zordich has not developed players in the secondary and we have run through several secondary coaches in an attempt to find answers. The Spartans may have lost their first game with 7 turnovers to Rutgers, but they were easily better than our squad today. Michigan State was better on offense, defense and special teams; they were superior in all three phases.

Observations on the first half with the Spartans Box Score Player Participation Post Game Press Conference