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Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from thrilling Peach Bowl win over Pitt

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) celebrates after a touchdown catch with wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) and tight end Connor Heyward (11) against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) celebrates after a touchdown catch with wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) and tight end Connor Heyward (11) against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State linebacker Cal Haladay (27) tackles Pittsburgh wide receiver Melquise Stovall (4) during the first half of the Peach Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.
Michigan State linebacker Cal Haladay (27) tackles Pittsburgh wide receiver Melquise Stovall (4) during the first half of the Peach Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. /

1. The defense was the difference

First of all, can I say just how impressive it is that Mel Tucker led this team that was picked to finish last in the Big Ten East to an 11-2 record and a New Year’s Six win? Just fantastic.

OK, now that we got that out of the way, I want to give the defense some credit for this performance. It hasn’t been solid all season long, but it was clear that Scottie Hazelton did his homework and had his guys ready on Thursday night as they held Pitt to under 300 total yards and just 21 points — seven of those came on a scoop-and-score after a Payton Thorne fumble.

Michigan State’s defense kept it in the game all night long when the offense was struggling.

I haven’t been able to say that much this season but man is it ever refreshing to type out.

Guys like Darius Snow, Xavier Henderson, Simeon Barrow, Brandon Wright, Cal Haladay, Noah Harvey, and Jacub Panasiuk all played well and made sure the Spartans had a fighting chance in the fourth quarter even with the offense stalling out drive after drive.

Pitt finished with 274 yards and two touchdowns while picking up five big sacks and a pick-six to end the game by Haladay.

This defense earned some major props after this one. Michigan State doesn’t win without it playing arguably its best game of the year.

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