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

Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers offensive tackle Cameron Cermin (66) during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

As all the other units continue to have up and down outings, the defensive line continues to shine. With the problems MSU has in its defensive backfield, the defensive line will have to be even better. The loss of RJ Williamson makes this even more urgent.

Quarterbacks just can’t be given time to pick apart the defensive backs. Malik McDowell was the only D-lineman to record a sack, but Shilique Calhoun had three quarterback hurries, with Lawrence Thomas, Joel Heath and McDowell each adding a quarterback hurry of their own.

Their play was not flawless, though, and they were at least partially culpable on two of Purdue’s three touchdowns.

What went well: Creating turnovers

MSU won the game against Purdue because they were able to create turnovers and get points from those turnovers. Although he didn’t get credit for a forced fumble, Lawrence Thomas’ penetration created the Purdue’s first turnover. He was so far into the offensive backfield that the Purdue quarterback changed his mind on a zone read play and fumbled trying to get the ball back from his running back. Linemate, Joel Heath, was able to pounce on the bouncing football.

On the second fumble, Malik McDowell and Thomas combined to hit the runner and jar the ball loose for linebacker Riley Bullough to recover. With the D-line wreaking havoc in the backfield, turnovers are bound to come.

What didn’t: Defensive tackles getting blocked out of the play

The defensive line, including the rarely recognized and rewarded defensive tackles, played well most of the game. However, on the two Purdue touchdown runs the tackles were crushed. On the first TD run — a 68 yard run from Purdue’s freshman running back — Joel Heath was blocked five or six yards out of the play. He was taken out completely by the Purdue offensive lineman.

The color commentator made a big deal about Darian Hicks and Montae Nicholson missing their chance to make the tackle on the backside of that play. And it’s true, they took bad angles and just didn’t commit to the tackle, but it never should have gotten to that point.

If that had been Ezekiel Elliot, they wouldn’t have even had a chance to touch him. The error needs to get corrected before it gets to the secondary.

And then on the short touchdown run to get Purdue within three, Craig Evans was pancaked as the running back waltzed into the end zone. MSU ran a stunt with Shilique Calhoun coming around inside and Evans jumping outside. But Evans never got outside as he was on the ground with a Purdue offensive lineman on top of him.

The stunt action allowed the center to get to Riley Bullough and Darien Harris was also blocked out of the play. It all starts up front, though. When the tackles are stout, the defense works exceptionally well. It allows everyone else — linebackers, corners, and safeties — to be aggressive in both run stopping and in coverage.

Next: Linebackers