Michigan State Football: What worked and didn’t against Nebraska
Nov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. (85) celebrates with guard Brandon Clemons (64) after scoring a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
This weekly piece was difficult to write because it felt like nothing went right after that mammoth collapse by the Michigan State football team. However, with three minutes left in the game MSU had just scored what looked to be a game-clinching touchdown with an impressive set of runs. State was up 12 against Nebraska at that point.
Up 12 with three minutes left means they did some things right even if they ended up doing a whole lot wrong. We take a look at the good and the bad even if all we feel is bad.
Quarterbacks
Nov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) throws the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
We finally got a pass complete by someone other than Connor Cook. Damion Terry threw twice out of the wildcat look with an incomplete attempt to Jamal Lyles and a very nice bullet completion to Aaron Burbridge for 13 yards.
Besides this brief distraction it was the Connor Cook show. At times he fizzled, but overall, he dazzled. He finished the game with 335 yards on 23-of-37 passing with four touchdowns and one interception.
What worked: Last three quarters
After some of the inaccuracy that plagued him early in the season, including his third interception of the year and first since Rutgers on October 10, Cook looked like the first-team All-Big Ten player he has been the past few weeks. Cook was brilliant on third down going 8-for-11, including two touchdowns. He led the offense to 38 points which should have been more than enough for the victory.
What didn’t: First quarter
Cook consistently overthrew his targets in the first quarter. He did not look sharp and it seemed to impact his confidence. It didn’t help that R.J. Shelton kept dropping the ball on very catchable passes. Unlike earlier struggles, though, Cook bounced back quite nicely.
Next: Running Backs