The last three weeks of 2023 have given Michigan State football a number of issues that require deep looks in the mirror, whether it be a 34 point loss to the No. 7 Washington Huskies at home or a 16 point showing in their first road game last week to the Iowa Hawkeyes, but it hasn’t been all bad on both sides of the ball for the Spartans.

While the defense looked powerless to stop Heisman-hopeful Micheal Penix Jr. and his litany of NFL caliber wide receivers for the Huskies, the unit has improved in the last two contests, specifically starting in the second half of the Maryland loss. 

After allowing 21 points in the first half of that game, MSU has only given up a combined 36 points in the past six quarters, playing tougher and forcing more turnovers. 

Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay made history with his 42 yard fumble recovered for a touchdown in the second half against the Hawkeyes, tying the program record for most defensive touchdowns in a career. 

The Pennsylvania native also tallied a total of eight tackles that evening, with three of them coming on his own and the other five being assisted. 

Senior defensive back Angelo Grose has also been creating turnovers as of late, with the first of his two interceptions this year coming early in the third quarter against the Terrapins, creating momentum for the past six quarters of solid defensive play. He added in his second of the season against the Hawkeyes in the Spartan's effort to hold the home team to just 26 points. His two takeaways make up half of MSU’s interceptions in 2023. On top of his interceptions, Grose added eight tackles in the two matchups, with six of them being unassisted. 

On top of forcing turnovers, MSU’s defense succeeded in limiting yards produced by the Iowa offense, only allowing 61 rushing yards and 161 passing yards for a grand total of 222 yards.

The problem is that the offense has not been able to keep the ball very long or score points to help counter opposing teams, leaving the defense out to dry in multiple cases.

Redshirt junior quarterback Noah Kim has recorded six interceptions in his last three games, with redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser adding one of his own against Washington. The blame doesn’t lie all on the lack of quarterback or wide receiver play though, as multiple players have fumbled the ball on the ground, whether it being redshirt sophomore Nathan Carter losing the ball in MSU territory against Maryland or senior wide receiver Alante Brown coughing up a kick return in the same game. 

While the tests won’t get easier on either side of the ball, with 4-1 Rutgers on the road next weekend and a matchup with rival No. 2 Michigan looming in a couple of weeks at home, there have been some positives for former secondary coach and current interim head coach Harlon Barnett and defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton to build on as the Big Ten season continues to move forward.