The now No. 7-ranked MSU (6-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) defeated Rutgers (2-3 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) 31-24 in New Jersey Saturday night to stay undefeated. Here are five takeaways from the Spartans win.
Injuries, injuries, injuries
MSU may have held on for the win, but the injuries will leave Spartan fans with a bad feeling. MSU has had a bevy of injuries this season and it got worse Saturday night.
Redshirt freshman running back Madre London went down with an injury and he was seen using crutches on the sideline later in the game.
Junior running back Delton Williams saw his first carry of the season after the injury to London so a Williams redshirt is no longer an option.
Senior center Jack Allen also went down late in the game. Just before the injury he was hobbled but elected to stay in. He had to be helped off of the field and could not put much weight on his right leg.
Offensive line
The offensive line was already hobbled with junior Kodi Kieler just returning and junior Jack Conklin still out. If the Allen injury is long-term the Spartans will be in serious trouble.
Senior quarterback Connor Cook was pressured all night. He was hit and was forced into rushed throws constantly as the Scarlet Knights sent blitz after blitz. The offensive line has to get healthy and protect Cook better.
Special teams issues continue
Junior kicker Michael Geiger went 1-for-2 on the day to move to 5-for-9 on the season. His first field goal attempt of the game was blocked.
The were also a few bad punts in the game — redshirt freshman Jake Hartbarger’s first punt of the game went just 11 yards. His second went just 24 yards and gave Rutgers the ball at their own 47 and two plays later the Scarlet Knights scored.
Nicholson and poor
secondary play
Sophomore safety Montae Nicholson came into the season with high expectations. He looked lost on Saturday night.
Nicholson was constantly burned and he was caught making a bad read several times. He was caught taking poor angles and the sophomore has struggled to make tackles in space.
Nicholson has a lot of talent, but this season he has failed to put it all together on the field.
Rutgers senior wide receiver Leonte Carroo caught seven passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. The Spartans secondary could not contain him and they gambled with single coverage against the talented wideout too often.
Wacky ending
After taking the 31-24 lead late, there was still a bit of time remaining in the game. Rutgers would have an opportunity to tie it with 43 seconds remaining.
On 3rd and 10 at their own 35, Rutgers sophomore quarterback Chris Laviano hit junior wide receiver Andre Patton for 25 yards to the MSU 40.
After two straight incomplete passes and a sack by sophomore defensive lineman Malik McDowell, Laviano rushed to the line to spike the ball hoping to get one last play off— not realizing it was already fourth down.
The awareness fail from Rutgers allowed MSU to escape with an anti-climatic ending after a game that was closer than it should have been.
