Michigan State Football: What worked and what didn’t against Indiana

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) scores a touchdown against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jonathan Crawford (9) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Running backs

Gerald Holmes has been the most impressive back the last couple of games and he was rewarded with first-string action for the first time this year. He continued to run hard but wasn’t all that effective for most of the game.

Delton Williams got his shot, as well, and didn’t look very good when he was out there. After being stymied for about 90 percent of the game, the running game finally got loose in the fourth quarter. Long runs by LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes gave MSU a respectable 142 yards for the game.

What worked: Scott’s nose for the end zone

For the second game in three weeks, L.J. Scott did not see any action in the first half. And over that three-game span he’s recorded five touchdowns. In fact, he has seven touchdowns in his first four Big Ten games and nine for the season. Scott seems to have a knack for finding the end zone. He seems to smell it and shift to a new gear.

MSU’s run game had been shut down until LJ Scott got a little bit loose with about nine minutes to play and then really got loose with about four minutes to play. With a little less than four minutes left, MSU started a drive that included runs of 18 yards, two yards and 26 yards for Scott’s touchdown. This opened up the flood gates and MSU didn’t look back.

What didn’t: Consistency

As much as it was nice to see MSU run the ball to close out the game, a little of that earlier would have been nicer. MSU is at its best when it can run and pass the ball.

Many teams have stacked the box and dared MSU to throw it. This has led to fewer holes and opportunities to establish the run-game. Nonetheless, the running backs have to be able to hit the holes when they present themselves. They have to be able to run with confidence even when it’s tough sledding.

All of the great backs in college football have the box stacked against them, but they still make things happen and we need to see more of that from MSU’s guys.

Next: Wide Receivers