Michigan State Has Work To Do On Defense As They Prepare for Oregon Ducks
By Steve Olson
The Michigan State Spartans opened their season against the Western Michigan Broncos last saturday. While they got the win, like the Ducks their offense looked good but not their defense. The Spartans scored 37 points on their MAC opponent but gave up 24 points to them.
Now 24 points doesn’t sound like much but it could have been a lot worse had Bronco’s quarterback Zach Terrell not thrown two interceptions. That’s a plus for the Spartans defense two picks, along with holding Western Michigan to only 18 yards rushing. Despite holding them below 2o yards rushing Western Michigan put up 383 yards on them, that’s right 365 yards through the air.
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Michigan State had several breakdowns especially at the beginning of the game. Midway through the first quarter Bronco’s Darius Phillips had a game tying 1oo yard kickoff return. Michigan State would finish the quarter up 20-7. Although they lead 27-7 in the second quarter before a Broncos field goal, and were up 24 points in the third quarter the Bronco’s never gave up. As they made things interesting in the final quarter driving to the Spartans seven before being pick off in the end zone by Spartans Vayante Copeland to end hopes of cutting into the Spartans lead and potential upset.
Western Michigan was led by their quaterback Zach Terrell who finished the game 33 of 50 with 365 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. That is serioiusly big numbers against a Michigan State team also know for their defense giving up only 18.3 points since 2010. Bronco receiver Daniel Braverman had 13 receptions for 109 years and Corey Davis 10 receptions for 154 yards. Michigan State relied heavly on the run as it got 196 yards on the ground, as Connor Cook missed several recievers but still finished with 256 yards passing, two touchdowns but was 15 out of 31 attempts.
"It’s time to get ready for OregonMichigan State Wide Receiver DeAnthony Arnett"
Like every teams first game you do have to knock the rust off, but giving up 365 yards through the air is a eye opener for a defense of Michigan State caliber. They did lose defensive cordinator Pat Narduzzi, who took the headcoaching job at Pittsburgh, but that shouldn’t mean that much of a dip for a talented team like the Spartans. They do have a major plus of having several defensive leaders return Ed Davis had 58 tackles along with seven sacks, RJ Williamson 59 tackles with 34 solo along to go with two interceptions returned for touchdowns and Shilique Calhoun eight sacks. Michigan State Spartans Reciever DeAnthony Arnett said ” It’s time to get ready for Oregon”, indeed it is expect a major test for the Ducks this Saturday.
Oregon and Michigan State kickoff is set for Saturday evening at 5pm Pacific Time on ABC.