Michigan State football: 3 takeaways from horrendous loss at Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 14: Quarterback Katin Houser #12 of the Michigan State Spartans in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a college football game at SHI Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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Oct 14, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans interim head coach Harlon Barnett leads his team on to the field before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The coaching staff did this team no favors

When you are leading 24-6 with 15 minutes left, you have to try very hard to lose. The coaching staff seemed to do just that.

The first play of the fourth quarter was a fumbled punt (that’s not ont the coaches) which was picked up in the end zone by the Scarlet Knights. The ensuing kickoff saw the Spartans line up in an onside recovery formation.

And then the Spartans ran the same run play between the tackles which wasn’t working for Nathan Carter. They also tried airing it out a little too much in a downpour. Why not run outside the tackles with the speedy Carter? Why not do more designed quarterback runs that were working?

It didn’t make sense and it’s a big reason why that 18-point lead in the fourth quarter melted away in about five minutes.

The coaching staff was horrendous.

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