Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from loss to Northwestern in Week 9

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 28: Justin Jackson #21 of the Northwestern Wildcats is stopped short of the goal by David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

4. Run defense continues to impress

Has anyone else been impressed with Michigan State’s ability to stop the run this season? After another strong showing against Justin Jackson and Northwestern Saturday, the Spartans rank fourth in college football in rushing yards allowed per contest, trailing only Alabama, Washington and TCU. That’s impressive.

It’s not like Michigan State hasn’t played any strong running backs this season. Let’s take a look at the list of backs the Spartans have faced and the yards given up to them:

Western Michigan: Jarvion Franklin (36 yards)
Notre Dame: Josh Adams (56 yards)
Iowa: Akrum Wadley (30 yards)
Michigan: Karan Higdon (65 yards)
Minnesota: Rodney Smith (44 yards)
Indiana: Morgan Ellison (47 yards)

On Saturday, the Spartans continued that tradition of stopping opposing teams’ starting running backs, holding Justin Jackson to just 41 yards on 17 carries. That means that the Spartans have not allowed over 65 rushing yards to any team’s starting back. That’s impressive, to say the least.

Michigan State’s defense has been known to stop the run and will need to continue that tradition on Saturday when Penn State’s Saquon Barkley comes to town.

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