Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from Notre Dame win

5 of 5

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O /

1. Tyler O’Connor is still getting better

Growing up a fan of Notre Dame, you can imagine how much this game meant for Tyler O’Connor. The fifth-year senior was starting his first game ever against the Fighting Irish in his final season and he was trying to do something neither Connor Cook nor Kirk Cousins could — win in South Bend.

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In his second career road start, the first coming against Ohio State, O’Connor defeated the Irish thanks to a 19-of-26 performance with 241 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw an interception which happened to be a poorly-tossed pass toward the end zone, tipped up into the air by Notre Dame’s Daelin Hayes and picked off by Devin Studstill.

However, the senior quarterback showed poise and elusiveness in the pocket, avoiding pressure all game long and looking more athletic than his predecessor. He rushed for 43 yards on 10 carries as well.

It’s crazy to think that even with his 3-0 record as a starter with two road wins against ranked foes that he’s only going to get better. He wasn’t perfect against the Irish, by any means. He panicked a little under pressure and forced some poor throws and even missed a few open guys deep, but he will work out the kinks in practice.

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That’s the beautiful thing about game film, a player is only going to improve after watching what he did correctly and incorrectly. O’Connor did plenty right, but he also did some things wrong.

O’Connor is good, but he has the potential to be even better.

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