Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from home loss to Northwestern

Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from tough home loss to Northwestern

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 6: Running back Weston Bridges #27 of the Michigan State Spartans is tackled by linebacker Paddy Fisher #42 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 6, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 6, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

4. Felton Davis III needs to see the ball more

This is something I’ve been saying for weeks and I saw it muttered by just about everyone on Saturday after seeing how he dominated the Northwestern defense yet Brandon Sowards was the most targeted receiver on the field.

Davis III was targeted a decent amount, but not as much as he should have been. Every time the ball was thrown in his direction, the Northwestern defensive backs were clearly struggling to defend him and were often caught grabbing him and getting flagged for pass interference and holding.

However, the Spartans didn’t take advantage of that enough, especially in the red zone. If you throw the ball up to Davis III in the end zone, the 6-foot-4 wide out will win that battle a majority of the time. Defenders have a tough time with him because of his size and strong hands.

The senior receiver finished the day with seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown and he also ran the ball twice for 50 yards and a score.

The staff must recognize mis-matches when he’s on the field and get him the ball — that’s on Brian Lewerke as well.

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