It only took four years, but it appears the MSU football staff has finally found a way to get the most out of Matt Trannon. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 235 pounds, Trannon combines a tight end's size with a wide receiver's athleticism. So why, until Saturday, has Trannon's production been so underwhelming?

Perhaps play-calling is the issue. Trannon is not the Spartans' best deep threat. He's better in the short passing game, using his big body to shield defenders from the ball and using his strength to break through arm tackles and move the chains.

He should be MSU's best red zone threat, especially with his leaping ability. But before Saturday, MSU rarely — hold on, make that never — threw the ball to Trannon on fade routes.

Would giving Trannon a chance to use his physical advantage over opposing cornerbacks have made a difference late in last year's game against Michigan, when the offense sputtered in the red zone and came away scoreless?

Of course, Trannon also has to be held accountable for his often-disappointing output on the field.

He has a case of the drops, as was clear against Idaho when he dropped a perfect pass in the end zone and again on Saturday, when he bobbled a sure touchdown pass and couldn't gain control before the ball slipped away.

The defenses MSU faces from this point forward will undoubtedly be better prepared for the MSU attack, and Trannon won't always have a 10-yard cushion to work with. But if Saturday's performance is any indication, the senior wideout may yet realize his potential.

Oh, and he plays basketball.

Ethan Conley is a State News football reporter. He can be reached at conleyet@msu.edu.