Michigan State football: What we learned at Oregon, what to fix during bye week

EUGENE, Ore. – Free Press sports writer Chris Solari looks back at Michigan State football’s 31-10 loss to No. 6 Oregon and looking at the issues the Spartans need to address before they play again.

Next up for the Spartans: Iowa Hawkeyes

Matchup: Michigan State (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) vs. Iowa (3-2, 1-1).

Kickoff: Time TBD, Saturday, Oct. 19; Spartan Stadium, East Lansing.

TV/radio: TV TBD; WJR-AM (760).

SABIN: Oregon loss reminds everyone Michigan State football rebuild will take time

Chris Solari’s 3 things to fix

Michigan State Spartans center Tanner Miller lines up to snap the ball as the Ducks host the Spartans Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at Autzen Stadium on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon.

Offensive line: When Kristian “Big Dooley” Phillips and Gavin Broscious were lost for the season in the first two games, MSU’s already thin offensive line depth became nonexistent. The inability to rotate bodies, coupled with the transfer portal defections of six players with remaining eligibility from a year ago, have hamstrung assistant coach Jim Michalczik. But it has been clear, after 11 sacks and just a 2.2 yards-per-carry average over the last 10 quarters, that the current construct up front is not working. Running backs Nate Carter and Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams rarely have had space to run while getting hit on the handoff, and quarterback Aidan Chiles’ legs – more out of necessity and desperation to avoid oncoming rushers rather than by design – have become the Spartans’ only way to move the ball on the ground. All of that has taken a toll on MSU’s defense, which has forced some momentum-shifting turnovers and got barely a brief rest before having to go back onto the field as the offense cannot sustain drives.

QB play: The ups and downs for sophomore Chiles always were expected, as first-time starting quarterbacks…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-learned-oregon-100804119.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2024-10-06 10:08:04

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