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

Oct 10, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Janarion Grant (1) picks up first down before being tripped up by Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) during the second quarter at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Linebackers

It was a difficult week to assess the linebacker play. The unit didn’t really stand out or play particularly poorly against Rutgers.

The coaches would like to see the linebacking group make impact plays and there were too few in this game. At the same time, they weren’t particularly exposed in the flats like in the past and they played decently overall.

What went well: Reschke continues to be solid

Jon Reschke is not Ed Davis. He is not making plays that turn heads. However, he is solid. He doesn’t make mistakes, he’s well positioned, he tackles soundly and he’s held on to his role as the first and second-down strong-side linebacker.

Reschke led the Spartan linebackers with five tackles. What was a significant worry when Ed Davis went down is now a position the coaches can count on.

What didn’t: Riley Bullough’s slump

Riley Bullough has been great so far this year, but he was not able to put a signature play on this game as he has in previous games. Whether it was a sack or a fumble recovery or cleaning up on the tackles, Bullough’s impact has been felt in each game. Bullough was kind of invisible in this game. He was second in tackles among the linebackers, but with a season-low four tackles.

There have also been a coulple of very long runs against the MSU defense. Those long runs are a combination of “gap control,” meaning the defenders aren’t filling the holes that the blockers are trying to create — and poor tackling angles; Rutgers’ running back Paul James had a 72-yard run.

Someone didn’t do his job and maybe it was on Bullough or maybe it wasn’t, but he has get people lined up properly.

Next: Secondary