Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from win over Purdue
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Brian Allen (65) points out coverage before the snap of the ball during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
We learned a lot about this Michigan State football team during Saturday’s narrow victory over the Purdue Boilermakers in cold, rainy conditions in East Lansing. Homecoming was not so pleasant to all the out-of-towners who made it in for this game for multiple reasons.
The Spartans did not play particularly well, for one. Two, the weather was awful. And three, the game came down to a last-ditch effort by the Boilermakers and the close call costed the Spartans two spots in the AP poll this week.
Mark Dantonio claims that he’s not frustrated over yet another close call against a weaker opponent, but failing to put yet another team away in the second half might cost him Big Ten and national titles later in the year.
Dantonio: We focus on the present and I think our guys have done a good job with that. There are no givens in this game, just like in life.
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) October 6, 2015
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from Saturday’s win over the Boilermakers.
5. Offensive line is resilient
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) and guard Brandon Clemons (64) and tight end Jamal Lyles (11) perform for student section prior to a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Watching Dennis Finley go down with a broken leg injury in the second quarter really took the life out of the crowd. Not only was it raining and people started heading for the exits in what they thought was a blowout — although staying until the end is encouraged, no matter what — Finley’s injury seemed to be an “Oh no, not again” moment.
The Spartans had already lost Jack Conklin and Kodi Kieler for a few weeks — both offensive tackles — and the thought of losing a replacement for those guys was just sickening.
However, this team rose up after Finley went down and continued to open holes for the run game as L.J. Scott finished with 146 yards and two scores and Madre London had 97 yards rushing. Cook was also without a sack yet again and the Spartans’ offensive line seems to be getting even stronger without some of its top dogs.
Next: 4. Connor Cook has some wheels