Michigan State football: Report card for deflating loss to Washington

Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Tuli Letuligasenoa (91) tackles Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) for no gain during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jarek Broussard (3) trips in the end zone for a safety against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs: D+

I’m not going with an F here because I don’t think the running backs’ struggles were all on them although they didn’t look great with the ball in their hands. They struggled to find any lanes (there really weren’t any) but they were also at a disadvantage with the line struggling and the play-calling being abysmal.

The team totaled 29 carries for 42 yards which was the exact opposite of what we saw through the first two weeks when they averaged nearly 230 yards per game on the ground.

The Washington defense, too, struggled against the run so it was weird to see this type of non-factor from the Spartans on the ground. The Spartans weren’t able to get a push and the backs looked helpless from the start.

Jarek Broussard had his worst game as a Spartan as it felt like Washington’s defense just teed off on him and he had a crucial safety in the first quarter.

Overall, just a bad day from this group.

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