Michigan State looking for answers after another lopsided loss

EAST LANSING – After being totally outplayed in a loss at Washington final week, Michigan State coach Mel Tucker mentioned the workforce shall be outlined by the way it responds.

That response left lots to be desired for the Spartans. One other week, one other lopsided defeat.

Minnesota (4-0, 1-0 Huge Ten) pounced on Michigan State (2-2, 0-1 Huge Ten) from the beginning whereas rolling to a 34-7 win on Saturday in East Lansing.

“After a sport like this, there’s probably not a lot to say,” quarterback Payton Thorne mentioned. “It feels horrible.”

Every week in the past, the Spartans fell behind 22-0 within the first half towards the Huskies and by no means actually threatened. On Saturday, the Golden Gophers took a 14-0 lead within the opening quarter, fully dominated from begin to end and it wasn’t till 17 seconds left within the sport when Michigan State scored to keep away from the shutout.

“We’re not ok on both facet of the ball to not play complementary soccer,” Tucker mentioned. “We’re not ok to go away it as much as one facet of the ball.”

Mel Tucker ‘very assured’ in teaching employees regardless of Michigan State’s struggles

Minnesota completed with 508 yards of complete offense to Michigan State’s 240. The Golden Gophers had 32 first downs to 14 for the Spartans, had been 10-for-12 on third down and dominated time of possession, 42:30 to 17:30. It was the second week in a row Michigan State gave up greater than 500 yards of offense and Minnesota moved the ball on the bottom and thru the air.

“I’m actually not proud of what I’m seeing,” Tucker mentioned. “I don’t settle for it however as I have a look at our workforce and I see issues unfolding, I do perceive what our points are. I’m in all probability simply not going to speak about them proper now as a result of I’m going to look at the movie and I don’t need to say something that I shouldn’t say at this second, proper after a sport like this.”

Minnesota entered the sport as a run-heavy workforce that ranked second within the nation in speeding and completed with 240 yards on the bottom towards the Spartans, led by Mohamed Ibrahim’s 22 carries for 103 yards and a rating. Nevertheless, the Golden Gophers additionally combined it up from the beginning as Tanner Morgan carved up a secondary that took a beating every week in the past. He accomplished 23 of 26 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns.

“We had been anticipating them to run,” defensive finish Jacoby Windmon mentioned, “and so they got here out with one other gameplan however we’ve bought to execute no matter they do.”

Morgan additionally made performs within the working sport. He had three carries for 27 yards – which might have led Michigan State in speeding – and all three moved the chains on third down.

“Some drives he used his legs and we (weren’t) anticipating that,” Windmon mentioned. “I believe that was one thing we should always have harped on extra all through the week as a result of we didn’t suppose he was a lot of a runner however he went on the market and performed soccer.”

After the Spartans couldn’t get stops at Washington, Tucker made one notable change to the beginning lineup for a protection shorthanded because of accidents as Justin White bought the nod at nickelback rather than Chester Kimbrough. That didn’t resolve the problems for a protection that once more didn’t get off the sector. Are the issues associated to scheme or personnel?

“I simply had a chat with a few of the employees,” mentioned Tucker, who additionally maintained confidence in his coaches. “I’ve bought some concepts as a result of I’ve form of been down this street earlier than a little bit bit. We’ll check out it. I need to watch the movie to get the overall image earlier than I begin to reply these varieties of questions, particularly after a sport like this.”

On the opposite facet of the ball, it was additionally a depressing day for the offense. Michigan State had 14 carries for under 38 yards – the second straight sport failing to achieve 50 on the bottom – whereas Thorne was 17-for-24 passing for 132 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions and a fumble.

“We didn’t do sufficient with the ball tonight once we had it,” Thorne mentioned. “We would have liked to do a greater job on third down.”

Coming off an 11-2 season, Michigan State matched its loss complete from final yr earlier than the tip of September. The lofty objectives that existed heading into the season took a giant hit and the group of 74,587 at Spartan Stadium chimed in with loads of boos.

“Yeah, we heard it however, actually, we are able to’t be mad at anybody however ourselves as a result of we’re the rationale that’s happening,” receiver Tre Mosley mentioned. “If we don’t need that to occur, we’ve to be higher.”

Windmon mentioned he felt the workforce might have entered video games extra cocky than assured. Mosley thought gamers had been “too informal” on Saturday.

“Not essentially not caring sufficient however not going on the market and taking what we wish, considering the sport’s going to return us,” Mosley mentioned. “You’ve bought to go on the market and take what you need.”

After back-to-back losses for the primary time for the reason that finish of the 2020 season, Michigan State will take a .500 file on the street subsequent week. The Spartans play at Maryland (3-1, 0-1 Huge Ten) and have rather a lot to work on after the final two video games.

“Actually for us, we’ve bought to return collectively as we transfer ahead,” Thorne mentioned. “Good groups and groups which can be households, they arrive collectively throughout robust occasions and so they transfer ahead collectively. That’s what our plan is.”

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