Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from loss to Oregon in Redbox Bowl

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 31: CJ Verdell #34 of the Oregon Ducks carries the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the Redbox Bowl at Levi's Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans drops back to pass during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Brian Lewerke showed flashes, needs full offseason

Though he wasn’t his old self completely, Brian Lewerke had moments where he looked like the quarterback who passed for just under 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns last season.

The numbers were a bit ugly, but that doesn’t quite tell the story as he didn’t have much time to throw when he was in the pocket. There was one moment early on when he bobbled a shotgun snap, picked it up after a few bounces on the turf and tried to throw it away while getting hit to avoid a big loss of yardage and he threw it right to the Ducks.

Other than that ugly pick, he was relatively solid. He finished 21-for-38 with 174 yards but couldn’t come up with the plays in crunch time.

There was more zip on his throws. He wasn’t afraid to take some shots, though he didn’t connect, and he was hitting that out route and crossing routes with more regularity than we’ve seen all year long.

Lewerke may have gained some confidence back, setting himself up for a big make-or-break 2019 season.

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