Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from first half of 2017 season

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Nate Wozniak #80 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans after an interception as head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers looks on during the second quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against Adekunle Ayinde #4 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. LJ Scott can, and will, turn things around

Through five games, LJ Scott looked as pedestrian as he had throughout his entire Michigan State career. He had just 214 total yards rushing and didn’t seem to be making the most of his carries, averaging just 3.7 yards per touch. He looked like he had lost his touch after posting 994 yards in 2016 and having offseason surgery.

Then the Minnesota game came around. The junior running back obliterated his numbers up to that point, essentially doubling his production from the first five games. He rushed for a career-high 194 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. He looked like the LJ of old.

If we have learned anything from the past two seasons, it’s that Scott usually starts seasons slow, but turns it on late. He did that in 2016 when he had just a single 100-yard performance through six games and then broke out in the second half, nearly reaching the 1,000-yard plateau.

The offensive line is coming together, Scott is being more patient with his runs and hitting holes harder when they open up and he looks more like the rusher that made him an All-Big Ten candidate before the season. Scott has shown he’s willing to ride it out and turn things around.

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