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

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) makes a touchdown catch against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jameel Cook Jr. (20) during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receivers

The MSU receivers have really started to shine, and it’s more than breakout star Aaron Burbridge. R.J. Shelton came to State as a running back and converted to wide receiver and for most of his first two-plus years he looked like a running back playing receiver. At this point he’s transformed himself into a receiver and is making some mean catches.

After a couple of disappointing drops against Michigan, Macgarrett Kings Jr. was showing out with his hands against Indiana while Burbridge continues to be Connor Cook’s go-to receiver and No. 1 target. He’s almost a lock for first team All-Big Ten and has to be the favorite to win the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award — following Tony Lippett’s win from last year.

What worked: 50-50 catches

Since wide receiver coach Terry Samuel arrived at Michigan State, he’s been preaching about his receivers going to get the ball, instead of letting it come to them — about going up and making plays. This mentality is most evident on 50-50 balls where the defender and the receiver have an equal chance at the ball.

MSU receivers were outstanding in making the 50-50 catches against Indiana. And to be fair to Connor Cook, a lot of the balls that might seem like 50-50 are thrown in a way that the receiver has the advantage, but these guys are out there making plays. It’s exciting to see and it must give Cook a lot of confidence when he has to throw into coverage.

What didn’t: Getting separation

The other side of the catching 50-50 balls coin is that they are having to make a lot of 50-50 catches. Why aren’t the receivers getting better separation? Indiana was playing true freshman corners, but the wide receivers were rarely able to take advantage and create real separation.

MSU knows first-hand how much separation can be created when playing against inexperienced cornerbacks as their own corners have been dusted too many times to count. It’s time for MSU’s receivers to leave some of these guys in the rear-view and grab some easy TDs.

Next: Offensive line