Michigan State Football: What worked/didn’t work against Rutgers

Oct 10, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. (85) cannot haul in pass during the second quarter at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Wide Receivers

When the receivers were making catches against Rutgers, man oh man, those catches were clean. The receivers were unequivocal about their receptions — they made them or they didn’t. There were no replays to see if they had control or not, the receivers had outstanding hand catches — as opposed to trapping against the body.

Aaron Burbridge had a career-high nine receptions. R.J. Shelton added five catches, Macgarrett Kings Jr. had four, including a TD, and DeAnthony Arnett chipped in with a couple catches, one of which was a touchdown.

What went well: Making tough catches

The wide receivers not only made clean catches, they made tough catches. R.J. Shelton’s catch on third-and-nine on the game-winning touchdown was no less than spectacular. Burbridge made diving catches and back-shoulder catches.

Kings also had spectacular catches, as well as the touchdown catch below with the defensive back draped all over him.

What didn’t: Missing easy catches

When the Spartan receivers weren’t making amazing catches, they were dropping easy ones. Aaron Burbridge dropped what would have been a touchdown pass on the Spartans first drive. The drive would end with a blocked field goal and no points. A TD there might change the tenor of the game.

Kings was also guilty of an early drop. He had an easy first down, but seemed to start running with ball before he secured the ball. Monty Madaris also dropped an easy one — it would have been called back by a penalty, anyway. The receivers more than made up for their drops, but they skewed Cook’s numbers negatively with their lapses in concentration.

Next: Offensive Line