Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from Week 8 loss to Michigan

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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Zach Gentry #83 of the Michigan Wolverines battles for yards between Naquan Jones #93 and Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 21-7. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4. The defense held its own

Michigan State’s defense allowed 395 total yards and three touchdowns, but don’t let those numbers fool you, this unit held its own against the Wolverines.

Many on the Michigan side of things would admit that the Spartans’ defense wasn’t the problem as they held their own, but it was Michigan State’s offense that lost the game for the green and white.

A defense can only hold its own for so long with no help from the offense. The field position battle was won by the Wolverines early and the Spartans were just trying to play catch-up all game long. When a defense is put in the position to buckle down with its opponent getting the ball near midfield almost every time, it’s going to wear down at the end of the game.

In fact, Michigan had the ball for 41 minutes to Michigan State’s 19. That was the major difference in this one as the defense was just gassed in the fourth.

The defense held its own despite Michigan scoring a 79-yard touchdown from Shea Patterson to Donovan Peoples-Jones and the defensive line, namely Kenny Willekes and Raequan Williams, have played incredible football.

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