Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from meltdown loss to Penn State

Dec 12, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) makes a catch and runs the ball in the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 12, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Brenton Strange (86) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The defense took steps in the wrong direction

For most of the season, the defense was one of the bright spots for this team moving forward and it seemed like Scottie Hazelton and Co. were making strides at getting the Spartans back to the top of college football’s defensive ranks.

On Saturday, that was far from the case.

After taking a handful of steps forward following a slow start to the year, the Spartans took about 2-3 steps back on against Penn State. They looked lost all afternoon long, starting in the first quarter. They tightened up in the second quarter but looked lost in the third and fourth to allow a 22-3 run by the Nittany Lions in the second half after taking a 21-10 lead.

The defense couldn’t get off the field on third downs, was getting gashed by Sean Clifford and Jahan Dotson and didn’t seem willing to stop the obvious runs by Will Levis on short-yardage situations.

Granted the field conditions weren’t great, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for the blown coverages and confusion all afternoon long.

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