Offensive woes continue for Spartans
Michigan State’s matchup with Ohio State last week followed a familiar script — the defense was outstanding but not nearly enough to make up for an anemic offense.
The Spartans’ defense allowed just 17 points — the Ohio State defense got a touchdown and there was an intentional safety — but the offense rarely moved the ball, converting just 2-of-16 third downs and running for a meager 54 yards.
“I thought it was pretty embarrassing overall by the offense today,” junior quarterback Brian Lewerke said. “We couldn’t pass the ball very well, couldn’t run the ball very well. We had a lot of turnovers, didn’t have a lot of time of possession, were 2-for-16 on third down.
“We did not play very well.”
That was an understatement, and one that applies to only one side of the ball.
The defense was as good as it could be, holding Ohio State well off its season average of 42.2 points a game and keeping the Buckeyes to 347 total yards, 200 of their regular output.
“Everything about going against that defense was really hard,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said.
That’s what every team on Michigan State’s schedule has learned this season. While keeping the Spartans out of the end zone hasn’t been as challenging, getting there against their defense has been.
Entering this week’s game at Nebraska, Michigan State has the No. 1 rushing defense in the nation (76.5 yards per game) and it ranks No. 17 in scoring, allowing 19.7 points a game.
What’s made life difficult for the Spartans is the fact their offense can’t sustain drives. They were on the field just 22 minutes and 31seconds against Ohio State, which is putting tons of pressure on the defense.
“They had (84) plays and 45 rushes, that will wear on you a little bit,” defensive coordinator Mike Tressel said. “That’s the game of football, and I am very proud of the guys. I think they played until the last second. I don’t think that there was ever a point in there where they started to soften or started to give up. I’m real proud of those guys playing 60 minutes.”
With the season coming to a close and the hopes for a division title gone, there will likely be some guarding against frustration taking hold in the locker room.
“That’s always the case and my message to my football team is, ‘Don’t start pointing fingers. Make sure we’re all accountable in this,'” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “There are things we can do better, whether it’s offense or defense. We jumped offsides and gave them a first down; there’s a lot of little things that you can look at.
“But the message to our football team is to stay together and to stay close. Make sure there’s no problems and take the next step. We’ve got two games left, we go to Nebraska next week, they’re an improved football team so we need to look forward.”
Following the loss to Ohio State, the players didn’t sound like a group that is divided. Instead, the Spartans seemed to understand exactly what has been taking place.
“(The offense) probably has to play better, but it’s my job as a leader and our job to pick them up when there not playing well,” senior safety Khari Willis said. “We are not going to point the finger. We had some times where we gave up some points and, in those areas, we jumped offsides on the drive they scored. So, there’s things enough to go around for everybody. There’s things we could get better at, but I feel that we came out and competed.”
