Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from upset of Penn State

Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from upset of Penn State in Week 10

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions can't make a second half catch next to Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions can’t make a second half catch next to Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4. Secondary has plenty of work to do

Michigan State struggled mightily to stop the pass on Saturday evening. Granted, the problem with the defense was more than just the secondary as missed tackles seemed to be the theme of the game, but the Spartans failed to slow down Trace McSorley through the air anyways.

Sure, they made some big plays, including a fourth-down stop late in the fourth quarter which set up the game-winning drive, but allowing 381 yards and three touchdowns is something that the defensive backs should use as motivation to get better. Mark Dantonio can’t be pleased with that and neither can these players.

For the second week in the row, the slants, out routes and post routes were wide open. The flats were left essentially uncovered, allowing guys like DaeSean Hamilton and Mike Gesicki to dink and dunk their way down the field.

The long 70-yard touchdown was the product of a slippery field as Josiah Scott just fell down in coverage to allow DeAndre Thompkins to get wide open but there were far too many mistakes against the pass. This needs to be fixed.

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