Coming into the game, the Spartans knew that the Gophers were a great third down team on both sides of the ball. After Minnesota's first three games of the season, they were ranked first overall in third down conversion percentage on defense, allowing teams to convert just 11.8% of the time. They were ranked first on offense as well, converting on third down themselves roughly about 78% of the time.

The question that remained was whether the Spartans would be able to execute on third down on both sides of the ball. Before Saturday’s matchup, redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne spoke to just how important third down was going to be.

“Third down is situational football and we talk all the time about how important situational football is and, you know, third down is one of, if not the most important part of the game and so good offenses convert on third down,” he said.

The Spartan defense allowed Minnesota to convert on third down 10 times in 12 attempts, continually sidelining their own offense. In fact, the Minnesota offense had possession for 42 minutes and 30 seconds, while the Spartans only had it for 17 minutes and 30 seconds.

“You have to get off the field,” Tucker said. “You cannot stay out there, gotta get the ball to the offense. We’re not tackling well enough, too many low tackles. We’re not getting that person on the quarterback. It’s too easy for the quarterback, and then obviously we have to play tighter coverage.”

To make matters worse, they even allowed sixth-year quarterback Tanner Morgan, who isn't known for his running ability, to rush the ball himself for a first down on two third-and-long situations in the first half. The first was on a 3rd and 12 in the first quarter when Morgan scrambled for 15 yards to extend the drive. The following play, he threw a 23-yard touchdown to put the Gophers up 14-0. Then in the second quarter, Morgan ran for 10 yards on a 3rd and 9 on a drive that later stalled with the conclusion of the half. Many times it appeared the MSU defense would never come off the field and when they did, the offense would go three-and-out or turn the ball over.

Considering the Spartans only had 14 first downs compared to Minnesota’s 32, it can be said they didn’t play well on first and second down either, but they also couldn’t produce anything offensively on third down.

In eight attempts, MSU only converted on third down twice. With the threat of a shutout looming over their heads, the offense was even forced to go for it on fourth down, twice in less than desirable field position. Only one attempt was successful, and the other resulted in one of Thorne’s two interceptions. It was plays like these that absolutely destroyed what little momentum MSU was able to build.

“We just gotta be better,” Thorne said. “Complimentary, both the run and the pass, play action, quick game, RPO, all of that. It feels like we’ve done some things well here and there but all of it clicking at once, it hasn’t really felt like that. Everytime we’re rolling, there’s a little setback.”

Coming into the 2022 season, the offense was expected to be the driving force behind MSU football, and the defense was supposed to be the unanswered question. Now, after four games, the defense has proven itself to be unreliable and the offense has been shaky at best, but both have shown that in tough situations like third down they’re not ready to step up. 

Considering MSU’s next opponent, Maryland, gave No. 4 Michigan a run for its money Saturday in Ann Arbor, the Spartans will need to have some serious changes if they want to see improvement against the Terrapins next Saturday.