Drew Stanton entered this season with a career completion rate of 65.7 percent — the highest all-time for an MSU quarterback. Many expected the senior signal-caller to lead the Spartans to their first bowl game since his freshman season, garner some Heisman hype and then get snatched up with one of the first picks in the NFL Draft.

But during the last month, Stanton has struggled to connect on half of his pass attempts. Throws that once hit receivers between the numbers are sailing over their heads. For the season, he has thrown nearly as many interceptions (seven) as touchdown passes (eight).

So what's wrong with Drew Stanton?

Nothing.

At least that's the opinion of the MSU coaches, who said few of the reasons for Stanton's struggles fall on his own shoulders.

"I think everybody's looked at Drew and said, 'He's not doing the things he's capable of doing,' and it's not Drew at all," said offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin. "I think Drew, the last two games, has played well. We did not protect for Drew this last game. He had a guy in his face before he was really able to step and throw the football."

While the right side of MSU's offensive line has remained relatively stable, the left tackle and left guard positions — responsible for protecting Stanton's blind side — have been a revolving door. Senior tackle Mike Gyetvai, senior guard Daniel Zynn, junior guard Kenny Shane and junior guard Pete Clifford have all missed time with injuries — a big reason why opposing defenses have racked up 16 sacks against MSU through six games, including four on Saturday by Ohio State.

Stanton has also been without two of his best offensive weapons — senior wideout Matt Trannon is battling a sprained ankle, and sophomore running back Javon Ringer is out for the year with a sprained knee.

Baldwin said the injuries are no excuse — particularly with the way the skill positions have failed to make plays, even when the offensive line has kept Stanton well-protected.

"If you look at the last two games, we've dropped 10 balls," Baldwin said. "The injuries play a factor — whether you had a guy or not. But when you don't execute and do the things that we're capable of doing, the injuries aren't a factor. We've hurt ourselves."

Baldwin said Stanton has remained positive throughout the Spartans' four-game losing streak.

"His head's been here the whole time," Baldwin said. "I don't think he's demoralized at all."

"The best way to get Drew on-target is for our offensive line to protect him so he can have three steps and throw the football. And if that happens, he'll get in a rhythm. And then once that happens, if the wideouts catch the ball, his spirits will jump up and so will everybody else's spirits around him."

While Stanton has fought through numerous injuries (ribs, thumb, back, neck) to stay on the field, a number of players, including former starting tight end Kellen Davis and third-string tight end Eric Andino, were dismissed from the squad because of off-field behavior. Davis' and Andino's dismissals came just before MSU's Oct. 7 game against Michigan. The Spartans practiced several multiple-tight end sets in the week leading up to the contest but were forced to abandon their game plan at the last minute after the dismissals.

"It's a little frustrating because it's your teammate," Stanton said. "You'd think that they'd have the same goals in mind that you do. You want to go out there and be able to play on Saturday. We're not like other students. We can't do what everybody else does."

With MSU trailing by several touchdowns against Ohio State last week, Stanton sat out most of the second half in favor of sophomore Brian Hoyer, who completed 11-of-14 passes for 81 yards and led the Spartans on their only scoring drive of the game.

But if you think Hoyer's success means a quarterback controversy is imminent, Baldwin said you should think again — this is Drew Stanton's team.

"He has played well," Baldwin said. "We can win with his play. He can play better, but I don't think it's Drew that has affected us as much as the perimeters and what we're not doing up front to help Drew."

Ethan Conley can be reached at conleyet@msu.edu.