MSU's season-long struggle with offensive inconsistencies and poor execution ultimately cost it the chance to play in the postseason next month. A win would've made the Spartans bowl eligible. 

Other factors, like snow, lack of attendance and energy in the stadium and injuries, took control of the Spartans' effort.

Among the plethora of injuries to MSU players this season, particularly in the secondary, defensive back Jaylen Thompson was carted off the field in the first half after suffering an upper-body injury.

"(Thompson's) released and doing okay, in concussion protocol, I've been told," MSU head coach Jonathan Smith said postgame.

The Spartans started strong and junior running back Nate Carter struck first on the game's opening drive with a 26-yard touchdown run. The excitement inside Spartan Stadium was short-lived; MSU lost all its momentum on the next two possessions and the Scarlet Knights took control.

MSU struggled on both sides of the ball. It went 3-for-9 on third down conversions and hardly saw the red zone, going 1-for-2 while Rutgers went a perfect 7-for-7 in the red area.

Playing 60 minutes of complimentary football eluded the Spartans all season. Flashes of talent and potential continued to be clouded by mistakes and penalties on Saturday. MSU finished the game with 70 penalty yards, many of them negating big plays or a stop.

"I just want to be able to finish games as a team," Chiles said.

Despite the challenges MSU had moving the ball, junior tight end Jack Velling was a bright spot in the fourth quarter, scoring his first touchdown as a Spartan to bring the score to 34-14. Many expected the Chiles-Velling duo from Oregon State to produce more than it did this season, but both players are expected to return for next fall. 

“We've got a bright future in East Lansing," Velling said. "And I'm excited for it."

The Spartans' run defense allowed 218 yards to Rutgers. Scarlet Knight feature running back Kyle Monangai tallied 129 yards. Rutgers seemed to adapt to MSU's game plan on both sides of the ball while the Spartans struggled to do the same.

It added to the season's recurring theme of Smith and his staff's trouble adjusting on the fly. MSU has struggled mightily in the third quarter this season, and Saturday was more of the same.

A win Saturday would've given the Spartans one final crack at their season next month in a bowl game. Instead, the young, rebuilding football program will head into the offseason knowing it has a lot to work on.