Michigan State freshman center Hayden Lorius (67) prepares to snap the ball against the University of Michigan at Michigan Stadium on Oct. 26, 2024. Penalties cost the Spartans their chance at the Paul Bunyon trophy this year as they fell 24-17 to the rival Wolverines.
For the first time in the Jonathan Smith era last Saturday, MSU football suffered a loss to rival University of Michigan, 24-17.
The Spartans entered the game with momentum and dominated the first quarter with 135 total yards to just 15 from the Wolverines. 93 of their yards came in the run game, a facet in which MSU struggled early in the season.
Between opening up the ground attack in a 12-point win over Iowa on Oct. 19 and the early display against Michigan, MSU's offensive line has turned a corner with its efficiency.
During the first game of the season, MSU lost redshirt sophomore Kristian Phillips, the starting right guard, to injury. The following week, his replacement, redshirt sophomore Gavin Broscious, was carted off the field with a lower-leg injury. Both injuries were season-ending, forcing the Spartan coaching staff to make adjustments on the fly. It went with redshirt senior Brandon Baldwin, who played left tackle for two seasons with the Spartans.
The tweaks proved to be a dilemma as MSU's run game lagged behind other areas of improvement prior to the bye week.
"I just think there were times (the offensive line wasn't) necessarily in sync," assistant head coach and co-special teams coordinator Keith Bhonapha said after practice Tuesday.
Against Michigan, Baldwin delivered a strong performance alongside sixth-year center Tanner Miller, creating openings for running back Nate Carter's best game of the season with 118 rushing yards.
Early in the season, Bhonapha said he told MSU's backs to be decisive and not hesitate in holes. He said he can tell they’re beginning to truly grasp that concept and that he talked to Carter after the game on Sunday.
"'I don’t know what you ate and what you did going into the game, but let’s do the exact same thing,'" Bhonapha said.
Next up for MSU is the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers, whose defense saved them against Washington this past Saturday. Indiana racked up three sacks against the Huskies. Michigan State’s offensive line will go from one tall task to the next.
"Indiana has a great run defense," Bhonapha said. "The tape speaks for itself."
The Hoosiers' remarkable season to this point under head coach Curt Cignetti make its next stop in East Lansing. MSU and Indiana will face off on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium. The game will be streamed exclusively on Peacock.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
