Michigan State Football: What worked and what didn’t against Central Michigan

Sep 26, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. (85) is tripped up by Central Michigan Chippewas defensive back Tony Annese (18) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers

As soon as MSU seems to have found its passing game against Air Force, they end up with 11 total receptions against Central Michigan. Aaron Burbridge led the way with four receptions and Macgarrett Kings led in receiving yards with 46 on two catches.

Related: MSU Football: Final grades for the Spartans’ win over CMU

Six total receptions from your wide receiving corps is not going to cut it most games. Especially games in which there wasn’t a dominant rushing attack.

What went well: Sending Macgarrett deep

Through the first few weeks it seemed that the only deep threat was Aaron Burbridge. The longer patterns that Macgarrett Kings were running always seemed to result in a Connor Cook overthrow. But on MSU’s first offensive play of the game, Kings ran a post pattern and Cook found him streaking.

With an impressive stretch and dive Kings pulled it in for a 42-yard reception. Had he been running faster or had Cook put a little more air under it, it could have been a 72-yard touchdown. If the safeties can’t simply key on helping on Burbridge deep it will help the entire passing attack.

What didn’t: Building on last week

Last week was a career week for two different Spartans receivers — Burbridge and R.J. Shelton.

Unfortunately, they weren’t able to keep the momentum going as Burbridge had his season low in receiving yards and Shelton was shut out of the passing game completely. Shelton did have two rushes for 17 yards, but it seemed that MSU might have found its third receiver the previous week.

In order to keep guys confident, Cook has to keep getting them the ball. Some of this has to do with the play-calling as Cook only had 19 attempts and 11 completions. With 11 completions to spread around three receivers and multiple tight ends and backs, no one is going to shine.

Whomever is to blame, getting more consistency from the passing game will be key moving forward.

Next: Tight Ends