Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from disappointing loss at Purdue

Nov 6, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Connor Heyward (11) runs with the ball while Purdue Boilermakers linebacker O.C. Brothers (20) defends in the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 6, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jay Johnson did not call a great game

There were a handful of calls that I was like “oh wow, great call” but that was about it. They were few and far between and the Spartans’ offense stalled out way too much because of a poor game plan, especially in the second half.

Michigan State got off to a slow start, falling behind 21-7 before finally reaching the end zone again before halftime to make things interesting.

Jay Johnson called an odd game while down by a touchdown and even after Michigan State tied it up in the second half, he was calling plays like he didn’t have the Heisman frontrunner in his backfield.

It wasn’t until Michigan State was down 37-21 that the Spartans moved the ball with ease and good play-calls like tight end screens over the middle and creative runs for Kenneth Walker III. But at one point late in the fourth quarter, Walker had just four rushes in the second half compared to 17 in the first half.

Michigan State’s offense ended up with over 400 total yards, but the play-calling for most of the game was questionable.

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