As Elijah Tau-Tolliver crossed the goal-line for a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter with just under two minutes to play on Saturday, Michigan State football fans breathed a sigh of relief.
The Spartans just played a way-too-close game with FCS foe Youngstown State, holding a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter. That's just not good enough for a program like Michigan State, and I know Jonathan Smith realizes that.
Still, the touchdown by Tau-Tolliver put Michigan State over the 40-point mark for a second straight game. That scoring feat hasn't been accomplished by the Spartans in quite some time.
How long? The last time Michigan State scored 40-plus in consecutive games was 2017.
That's right, it's been nearly a decade since the Spartans recorded 40-plus points in consecutive games. Mark Dantonio was still the head coach, Brian Lewerke was under center, and Dave Warner and Jim Bollman were the team's co-offensive coordinators. That team went on to win 10 games, including a Holiday Bowl win over Washington State that completed the back-to-back 40-point performances.
It's been a while.
What does that mean? Well, Michigan State has had some poor offensive coordinators over the years. Dave Warner, Jim Bollman, Brad Salem, and Jay Johnson left a lot to be desired, but Brian Lindgren is trying to change the narrative in East Lansing.
Aidan Chiles looks vastly improved under center, the run game has been solid behind Makhi Frazier, Brandon Tullis, and Elijah Tau-Tolliver, the offensive line is still improving, and the receiving corps is the best it's been in years -- as well as the tight end room.
This offense has been the bright spot through three games. Now, it's time for the defense to catch up.