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 Flynn Nagel #2 of the Northwestern Wildcats is tackled by safety Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium on October 6, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 29-19. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

3. Secondary cannot figure out underneath routes

Clayton Thorson passed for 373 yards and three touchdowns against this Spartan secondary, marking the third straight season of the quarterback torching the green and white.

For some reason, Thorson turns into Peyton Manning when he sees those green jerseys, but it’s also on the secondary, and coaching staff, for not adjusting when it’s clear he’s only interested in the underneath routes. He did burn the Spartans deep one time when the secondary was out of place for 77 yards, but other than that, his longest throw was 34 yards.

Michigan State seems more than content with allowing intermediate routes as long as it doesn’t get beat deep, but that backfires against teams like Northwestern which thrive on those passes.

Just like last year, the secondary was dinked-and-dunked all the way down the field and Thorson had one of his best career games.

This secondary needs to figure out that teams love to go underneath on the Spartans and once they do, they won’t be quite as gassed at the end of games.

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