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

Oct 10, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Chris Laviano (5) gets off pass as he is rushed by Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas (8) during the first quarter at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Defensive Line

The only player more dominant than Shilique Calhoun on MSU’s defense is Malik McDowell. Lawrence Thomas continues to be very good and Demetrius Cooper shows flashes every game. With Joel Heath, Craig Evans, and Damon Knox playing solidly, the defensive line continues to carry the banner for the Spartans.

At the same time, Spartan fans can’t help but want a little more from this unit. There should be no 72-yard runs, the quarterback shouldn’t have time to hit a bomb, we don’t want to see a quarterback slip out of the grasp at their own four-yard line. MSU needs its defensive line to play like the best defensive line in the entire country. Right now it’s playing like one of the best in the conference.

What went well: Sacks

The defensive line accounted for 2.5 out of the 3 sacks that MSU tallied against Rutgers. The last sack effectively ended the game as Malik McDowell got home in a way he wasn’t able to in the drive before when he missed a sack that would have killed Rutgers hopes of a comeback.

Lawrence Thomas added a sack before he left the game with an injury and Shilique Calhoun added a half-sack. Calhoun was actually more menacing than his half-sack would indicate and applied the initial pressure which led to McDowell’s game-clinching sack.

What didn’t: Protecting the DBs

The defensive backfield is down to third-string guys as starter Vayante Copeland is injured for the season, Demetrious Cox has had to move to safety to replace injured RJ Williamson and Darian Hicks went down with a head injury in the first half.

Given that, the defensive line has to protect them better especially on the deep routes. Rutgers wide receiver star, Leonte Carroo, caught a 39-yard touchdown pass over a flailing Arjen Colquhoun. Joel Heath got there a beat late and put a hit on the Rutgers QB, but that beat is the difference between protecting Colquhoun and leaving him out to dry.

Darqueze Dennard or Trae Waynes would have been there to break the pass up or at least interfere for a 15-yard penalty. The current DBs are out of the picture. It’s a lot to put on the defensive line, but they have to put the defense on their backs as the No Fly Zone has done in previous years.

Next: Linebackers