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Michigan State Football: Report card for first month of 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 and running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans lead teammates out of the tunnell before the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 and running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans lead teammates out of the tunnell before the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans tries for extra yards after a first half catch next to Michael Oliver #39 of the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans tries for extra yards after a first half catch next to Michael Oliver #39 of the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

RB. Michigan State. RUNNING BACKS. C+.

What a season it’s been for this run game. Michigan State is averaging barely over 100 yards per game and just 3.3 yards per carry. The offensive line is the main problem in the ground game, but these backs need to be more creative when looking for running lanes.

No more three yards and a cloud of dust — that just doesn’t work anymore.

LJ Scott has played just two games, rushing for 103 yards on 30 carries. He’ll need to bounce back big time when he returns from injury. The coaches want him to be the lead back, but he’s getting pushed from some underclassmen.

La’Darius Jefferson has arguably been the best back on the team as the freshman has accounted for 110 yards and a touchdown on 4.2 yards per carry. It’s nothing special, but he’s been consistent in his first season as a collegiate back.

Connor Heyward leads the team with 135 yards and three scores, but needs to do more than just run into a pile by showing a little more elusiveness.

Lastly, Weston Bridges is a kid who should see more carries. He’s had just six touchdowns on the season and even looked like the most polished back against Central Michigan in Week 5.

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