Despite starting out hot with an LJ Scott touchdown run on their first possession, the Spartans were outscored 27-10 until the start of the fourth quarter. That being said, here are the takeaways from MSU’s loss to the Wolverines.

TAKEAWAYS

1. Too little, too late

MSU trailed 30-10 with just more than 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter when MSU head coach Mark Dantonio swapped in junior Damion Terry for fifth-year senior Tyler O’Connor. Terry led a drive that resulted in a missed field goal before being knocked out of the game.

Redshirt-freshman Brian Lewerke came in and led to Spartans to the end zone to cut the U-M lead to just 13, and led another drive that resulted in a stiff Wolverine pass rush, dropping Lewerke and injuring him as well, to force a turnover on downs. O’Connor came back into the game to lead the final touchdown drive for MSU, but only one second remained, and a fumbled two-point conversion taken back by U-M’s Jabrill Peppers sealed the Spartans' 32-23 defeat.

“To us, obviously there are no moral victories in a game like this, but if a D-lineman (from the other team) comes up to us at the end of the game and says, `You might not have won the game, but you guys kicked our ass.' You don't hear that too often,” O’Connor said. “We set out to do that. We were physical and we were tougher, and had many opportunities in that game. We just needed to score more points than we did.”

The Spartans were there, but earlier mistakes and missed chances made their comeback attempt fall short, as there was simply not enough time to put it all together.

“We ran the ball effectively and got into the red zone effectively,” Dantonio said. “We never stopped playing — never quit. Showed some resilience and toughness. Got to be able to get off the field on third down. They made plays. They're a good football team.”

2. Missed opportunities, little mistakes prove costly for Spartans

Speaking of those missed opportunities, the Spartans had a number of chances to capitalize on good field position and momentum. Most notably, following an interception by senior cornerback Darian Hicks, MSU had its first offensive possession of the second half in U-M territory. A reverse run from Donnie Corley and a pass interference call later, MSU was set up with first and goal from the two-yard line.

The play sequence called by co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner went as follows –– Scott run up middle for loss of one. Scott run up middle for gain of one. Scott run up middle for no gain. Scott run left side for -2. U-M turned that turnover on downs into a 14 play, 69-yard drive that ended in a 45-yard field goal.

“We were running the ball well on that formation leading up to that, and I thought we would get it in,” Warner said. “There is a consideration for a pass every time, but right there we thought we could smash it in because we were doing a good job in that formation up to that time.”

O’Connor had a couple of costly mistakes, including a fourth and one near midfield where U-M had no lineman lined up over center. A quarterback sneak would have gotten the job done, but no audible occurred and MSU was stood up. 

He also threw a detrimental interception right before halftime that led to a U-M field goal, extending the Wolverines' momentum and halftime lead to 17 as the teams went into the locker room.

“We have to convert on our opportunities,” Dantonio said. “When you play a good football team, you can't miss on opportunities. You have to make good on opportunities. A lot of that is play-calling, a lot of that is my decision making. A lot of that is execution. That's why I always say it's all inclusive.”

3. Have a day, Mr. Darboh. You too, Mr. Scott

Both the Wolverines and Spartans had a go-to guy who led the offensive attack for their respective sides –– wide receiver Amara Darboh for U-M and the sophomore running back Scott for MSU.

Though U-M running back De’Veon Smith scored twice and Speight threw the ball effectively, Darboh was the big star for U-M. He finished with eight catches for 165 yards, including a couple highlight reel snags, such as a one-handed grab over cornerback Tyson Smith on a long third-down for the Wolverines.

“His game is at a very high level, some of the highest I've seen of a college receiver,” U-M coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I think he's well established as a great play-maker and also disciplined in every single route that he runs, he blocks, great teammate and he just does it all at the best that he can possibly do. He's got a lot of God-given talent and a great work ethic, but I think it was a premier game for him today.”

For MSU, Scott was the workhorse, carrying the ball 22 times for 139 yards and one touchdown, as well as two receptions for 47 yards. He averaged 6.3 per carry and broke off multiple runs of 15-plus yards.

“Well that's what happens when you believe in each other and you believe in the line,” senior receiver R.J. Shelton said. “You're confident and that's what happens. Guys doing their jobs. When guys do their jobs, it's home run hitters, you're at least getting 10 or 15 yards, in a 7-yard game. Guys come out and do their jobs, that's what's going to happen every time.”

4. Despite losses, experience being gained for younger players

Dantonio has already played more true freshman than he ever has in his tenure at MSU, but the experience he wants his players to get doesn’t stop there. This is what Dantonio had to say regarding playing both Terry and Lewerke in addition to O’Connor.

“I wanted the other two quarterbacks who are coming back next year to have a taste of this football game. I thought it was very important for them to gain in game experience against U-M. So that's what we did.”

Dantonio and his staff also got Corley, who had yet to line up on defense this season, some snaps at cornerback. He’s now the second receiver, along with fellow true freshman Justin Layne to see some time at cornerback.

“That was something that was talked about back in recruiting,” co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett said. “It was something that he always wanted to do. With the injuries and everything, we thought it was time to bring him over and give him some reps. We felt comfortable with him out there.”

MSU will continue to use some lowerclassmen in preparation for the future years, most notably offensive threats like Corley and Lewerke and defensive players like linebacker Andrew Dowell and defensive end Josh King.

GRADES AND GAME BALLS

MSU OFFENSE: B+

The passing game perked up in the late stages of the game, but the offensive line generated more push and opened more gaps than they had all season long. Even the wide receivers got involved in blocking, and the receivers did not record a drop all game.

The Spartans on the ground were led by Scott and they put up 217 yards rushing on the nation’s top overall rush defense, as well as 401 yards and 23 points on a Wolverine defense ranked first nationally in scoring defense and total defense.

Game Ball: LJ Scott (22 carries, 139 yards, 6.3 ypc, one TD. Two catches, 47 yards)

This is a no-brainer. Scott was the best offensive skill player on the field for the Spartans all game long. The offensive line deserves some praise as well.

MSU DEFENSE: C+

Yes, the Spartan defense made some second half adjustments to limit the Wolverine offense to just three points and 147 yards in the third and fourth quarters. But 27 points and 287 yards of offense given up in the first half ended up too much to overcome, as U-M scored on all five of their first half possessions.

They forced one turnover, but the offense couldn’t capitalize. Once again, the pass rush failed to get a sack, though they had some disruption, recording seven total tackles for loss. A defensive breakdown late in the fourth quarter gave U-M a fresh set of downs and the chance to burn more clock.

Game Ball: Linebacker Riley Bullough (14 tackles, 1.5 for loss)

Bullough performed admirably in his final game against the Wolverines after being ejected in the first quarter against Maryland. His 14 tackles were the team high for the Spartans.

MSU SPECIAL TEAMS: D+

Although kicker Michael Geiger converted a career-long 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, he also missed a 34-yard attempt in the fourth that was lined up in the middle of the field.

The return game was sub-par again on their five attempts on kick and punt returns, and sophomore punter Jake Hartbarger had one punt for 49 yards.

Game Ball: Matt Morrissey (two tackles)

Morrissey’s two stops seem somewhat insignificant, but with a return man like Jabrill Peppers for the Wolverines, they proved crucial. He had the ability to burst a long return every time he touched the ball, and Morrissey helped prevent that.