Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from disappointing loss to Rutgers

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with wide receiver Jayden Reed #5 of the Michigan State Spartans after his touchdown in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on October 24, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

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Oct 24, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (5) runs after a catch against Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (3) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Turnovers were the difference

Yikes. What an ugly game it was for Michigan State all around, but it was the turnovers that really stole the show.

Rutgers didn’t do anything incredibly impressive. Michigan State also didn’t look great, but turnovers were the difference. There wasn’t just one by the Spartans, not even two, but seven (!) turnovers against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday.

It seemed like Michigan State was handing the ball to Rutgers on Saturday afternoon. Every time the momentum seemed to be favoring the Spartans, they would cough the ball up.

Michigan State fumbled at their own one on a strip sack, and four more times, including a nail-in-the-coffin muffed punt return by Jalen Nailor in the fourth which led to a back-breaking touchdown. Rocky Lombardi had a horrible interception in the first half which led to a score and another which sealed the win for Rutgers.

It was a horrid game all around for Michigan State and turnovers were the main reason for the loss.

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