“We knew, as an offense, if we didn’t get it, the defense would back us,” senior running back Jehuu Caulcrick said. “The defense was in the huddle as well, but they said, ‘Yeah, go for it. We’ve got your back, offense.’”

Caulcrick was stopped short of the first down, handing Pittsburgh the ball – but the defense would honor its statement.

Senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic prevented the Panthers from mounting a go-ahead drive when he stripped the ball from wide receiver T.J. Porter on the ensuing play. This allowed senior defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo to pounce on the ball for the Spartans.

“All I kept thinking about was, ‘I have to get a big play, I have to get a big play,’” Saint-Dic said. “I have to help my team out.

“Once I saw the running back, I mean I stepped inside and shook him up and of course my man inside, my buddy inside – O.G. Nwagbuo – he recovered it, and that’s what it’s about – making big plays.”

The defense seemed to have a surplus of big plays Saturday, registering five sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery, all while keeping Pittsburgh 0-12 on third down conversions.

All MSU points came off of turnovers – and MSU did it without starting cornerbacks junior Kendell Davis-Clark and sophomore Ross Weaver, as well as senior strong safety Nehemiah Warrick.

Junior free safety Otis Wiley picked off Panthers quarterback Kevan Smith’s pass at the end of the first quarter to set up Caulcrick’s 2-yard touchdown run to break a scoreless tie.

Senior strong safety Travis Key – who was filling in for Warrick – put MSU back on top, 14-7, when he intercepted a pass and ran it back 31 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

“We truly feel we’re the best secondary in the country as a whole,” Key said. “Like I said, we have depth at every single position, and not many teams have that.”

The offense discovered not every game would yield the results that previous matchups against UAB and Bowling Green did. Junior quarterback Brian Hoyer completed half of his 28 passes for 183 yards but had difficulty stringing together long drives. He also was sacked six times.

Junior running back Javon Ringer garnered 92 yards rushing while his counterpart Caulcrick gained 71 yards on the ground.

Still, though, the day belonged to the defense.

“The key to the game was the turnovers and our play on third downs was pretty good, actually great,” Dantonio said. “But offensively, up and down and around a little bit, but we got a win.

“We’re 3-0, we go to Notre Dame next week. And that’s the bottom line.”