Michigan State Football: 3 bright spots heading into Michigan game

Even in a disappointing, unforgivable loss, Michigan State football had some bright spots against Rutgers. What stood out ahead of the Michigan game?

Let’s try to forget that opening loss. Michigan State hosted Rutgers in what looked to be a perfect chance at a sure win, but Greg Schiano beat the Spartans for his second time ever and did so thanks to seven turnovers.

Michigan State had its chances against the Scarlet Knights, pulling within eight, 28-20, with a chance to kick a field goal to cut the Rutgers lead to five in the third quarter while holding onto all momentum, but a failed fourth-down conversion turned into a field goal. Rutgers took a 31-20 lead and then added a touchdown before the Spartans scored late in the fourth to make it 38-27 and that’s how it ended.

Despite this horrifying loss that was something of every Michigan State fan’s nightmare, there were some bright spots that can be carried over into Week 9 against Michigan.

3. The progression of Rocky Lombardi

I’ll be the first to admit my heart dropped a bit when I saw Rocky Lombardi take the field on Saturday over Theo Day and Payton Thorne, but he really exceeded expectations.

For his career, he was a sub-50 percent passer and while he was known for his toughness, his accuracy left a lot to be desired and he was the kind of quarterback who would fire lasers at his receivers from five yards away.

There was talk that he was making serious improvements to his accuracy and overall play in the offseason and it looks like there was truth to that. He completed 31-of-43 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He did have a couple of picks but one didn’t seem like his fault as Jalen Nailor ran the wrong route. The second was the final MSU play of the game on a desperation throw.

The sudden progression of Lombardi was a major bright spot and it had a majority of Spartan fans pleasantly surprised.