Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from win over Purdue

Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) runs the ball on a quarterback keeper during the 2nd half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

4. Connor Cook has some wheels

During an ugly game in which there were only 19 pass attempts on Michigan State’s side of things, the Spartans’ senior quarterback Connor Cook took to the ground on five occasions when he couldn’t find an open receiver — and even some designed runs.

Mark Dantonio always talked about how Cook had the ability to run with the ball and we had rarely seen such things happen. That is, until he went off for 48 yards on Saturday, even adding a 22-yard dash, extending multiple drives for Michigan State.

Cook did complete 13-of-19 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown, but the weather really prevented him from using his arm to beat the Boilermakers.

If Cook can add this dimension to his game, the Spartans will be in a great position if he is ever in trouble in the pocket or if the offense can’t get going. If you watch a guy like Russell Wilson at the next level, his ability to scramble out of the pocket makes the Seattle Seahawks‘ offense completely different and successful.

Not trying to compare Cook and Wilson, seeing as Russell is about 100 times more agile, but the Spartans’ quarterback could completely change the outlook of the offense and give defenses another thing to worry about.

Next: 3. The run game is elite