Michigan State Football: What worked and didn’t against Nebraska

Nov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. (8) carries the ball as Michigan State Spartans cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) defends at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska defeated Michigan State 39-38. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Secondary

The defensive backfield has lost no fewer than four starters since the beginning of the year. There are only four starters. Vayante Copeland is done for the season and his replacement, Darian Hicks, has been out several games with a concussion, R.J. Williamson is out until the bowl game and Montae Nicholson has been relegated to the bench after losing his confidence.

Jermaine Edmondson has been a touchdown waiting to happen. The coaches took off Tyson Smith’s redshirt and he got burned for a long completion. They even put wide receiver Monty Madaris in at corner. Their most consistent defensive back has been Demetrious Cox and he got burned deep for a TD.

What worked: ????

Honestly, I don’t know what to put. Usually I can find something or someone that was a bright spot for a unit. Demetrious Cox got a pick but also gave up a terrible TD. Arjen Colquhoun has been mostly solid all year but he dropped the game-clinching interception. Montae Nicholson didn’t embarrass himself. Neither did Monty Madaris. Will that suffice?

What didn’t: Deep ball

The Nebraska receivers, who were really banged up — one out for the year, another nursing a shoulder injury and a third left the game with a head injury (twice) — ate the DBs alive. Tommy Armstrong completed passes of 22, 38, 43, 35, 22, 28, 33 and 30 yards. The last three came on Nebraska’s final game-winning touchdown drive. No defensive back is absolved from this criticism — not one.

Next: Special Teams