Air Force vs Michigan State: 5 takeaways from Spartans’ win

Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Air Force Falcons wide receiver Jalen Robinette (9) is defended by Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7)during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

5. Secondary needs work

Man, this was a really tough thing to watch on Saturday. The secondary got torched by a backup quarterback on a team that had passed just 18 times through two games.

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The Spartans’ secondary fell asleep multiple times while Karson Roberts stepped back into the pocket and lobbed passes to Jalen Robinette and Garrett Brown. Robinette finished the game with two catches for 82 yards and a touchdown — with a long of 44 yards — and Brown had three receptions for 68 yards and a long of 32.

Michigan State allowed three passes of over 30 yards to Air Force — more than they had allowed to the heavy passing attack of Oregon last week.

That means that one-third of Roberts’ attempts went for over 30 yards, and he averaged about 25 yards per completion on the day. All of this really came in the second half as the Spartans were so comfortable with trying to stop the run that they forgot the passing attack was even an option.

Even after getting burned a couple of times by receivers who ended up open by a good 15 yards, Michigan State didn’t learn, letting it happen time after time.

Moving forward, especially without Vayante Copeland, the MSU secondary will need to practice its coverage, even when facing a team that runs the ball 90 percent of the time.

Next: 4. Offensive line was suspect