Michigan State Football: Report card for loss to Northwestern in Week 9

It almost seemed like Michigan State was in prevent all game long. Clayton Thorson was able to do whatever he wanted within 10 yards against the Spartan secondary, and linebackers, which led to a 33-for-48 performance with 356 yards and two touchdowns. It was truly a tough game to watch.

For a unit that has been strong and consistent all year long, it looked to be lackluster, at best, on Saturday. The most frustrating aspect of the defeat was the fact that the coaching staff seemingly ignored Northwestern’s tendencies to throw short passes over the middle and in the flats.

This C- is on the coaching staff as well. Pat Fitzgerald knew how the secondary was playing off the ball and took advantage. There were three Northwestern pass-catchers with at least six receptions and no one broke 100 yards. That should tell you just what the game plan was.

However, the secondary was also fatigued since the line couldn’t get much of a pass rush so these guys were forced to make all the stops. The safeties, David Dowell and Khari Willis, needed to step up closer to line with the way the offense was rolling to play some press coverage. They didn’t step up quite enough and Northwestern took advantage.

Josiah Scott and Justin Layne played relatively well when they were actually pressing. Scott had three pass deflections, six tackles and 0.5 for loss. Layne had two tackles and didn’t let anything behind him.