In its last two home games, MSU football has mustered 20 points. Six against Wisconsin and 14 points against the 109th ranked pass defense in the country BYU. After a season which set school records for offensive production, MSU’s offense has now had to fight for every yard and looks to be devoid of the big plays and efficiency it once exuded.
It begged the question from a reporter, is it time for a change?
“No, I am not going to do that,” head coach Mark Dantonio said after being asked if he would be taking over the play calling duties. “Absolutely not. That will not happen.”
Players have become discouraged with the stagnant offense showing frustration, both physically and verbally.
“It’s real frustrating, it’s not close to Spartan football of the past couple years,” junior running back Gerald Holmes said.
MSU’s offense produced 206 yards of total offense. Outside of two lone drives, it was insignificant, stalling on third down and never being able to consistently string together drives or plays.
On the team's first drive of the game, MSU was vintage — mixing the run and pass during a 15-play, 7:05, 72-yard touchdown drive. Tyler O’Connor completed 6-of-8 passes on drive, making correct reads and finding guys in space.
He would only attempt one more pass the rest of the half.
O’Connor has been the primary target of Spartan fan ire. He’s been blamed for nearly every offensive inadequacy even if it has nothing to do with his position. But outside of O’Connor, many have directed the vitriol at offensive coordinator Dave Warner.
With the offense stalling and the pass being avoided after flowing in the opening drive, the question remained for Warner — why did the offense move away from the air attack?
“On the second drive we were three and out, after that we had two situations inside the 5-yard line, so my play calling was reflective of those situations,” co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner said about the offensive production after the first drive.
Warner also reiterated that O’Connor wasn’t the root of the offensive miscues. O’Connor finished the night 7-of-11 for 58 yards, with dropped passes by receivers being the culprit for the incompletions.
MSU was pinned deep twice as well, starting back-to-back drives in the second quarter at the five- and three-yard lines, respectively. Those two drives encompassed 36 yards on 8 plays combined, both ending in punts.
Furthermore, the drives acquired each yard on the ground with the longest gain being a 16-yard dash by Holmes. Holmes didn't gain more than four yards on ensuing carries, being stuffed on a third and three and forcing a punt.
The subsequent drive saw running back LJ Scott gain four and five yards on first and second down before being jammed on a third and one try.
MSU has had trouble sustaining drives, failing to string together drives and even pick up third and short opportunities, raising questions of play calling and blocking.
But even when MSU decided to pass, O’Connor found a collapsing pocket wall.
“I’m not sure how to answer that question,” offensive lineman Brandon Clemons said. “I think the rotation is fine. I think it’s mainly the execution, just staying on your guy, keeping leverage on your guy, technique, getting back to the point of play.”
O’Connor has taken the brunt of the criticisms but kept the faith of his coach. Now the future is murky for O’Connor, who was yanked during the fourth quarter in favor of junior Damion Terry.
“Bottom line is production,” head coach Mark Dantonio said. “At some point in time you have to be productive. If you’re not productive and you have seven points on the board, then you have to make a change for the sake of change. I didn’t think he was playing that badly.”
Terry was 6-of-10 for 63 yards but threw an interception and had to rush eight times for 29 yards and one touchdown. His interception was an ill advised throw to a receiver between two defensive backs.
When Terry walked onto the field under center, he received audible cheers from the sparse crowd who had longed for a change of command.
But even then the offense opened up, trailing 17-7 then 24-7 after the Terry interception. But the opened playbook mattered little in a game that was out of reach. As for changes in the play calling, Dantonio placed the blame on everyone.
“I think you look at everything involved,” Dantonio said. “I already said that. It’s not one person’s fault; it’s a cumulative effect. Play calling, structure, execution, it’s all of it.”
