1. A heartening performance, but with heartache that was earned
EAST LANSING — Michigan State played more than 58 minutes Saturday like a team that’s still got something for this season.
They need to work on the finish.
You might say Northwestern stole that one, winning 24-21 on a 34-yard field goal with 2 seconds left. It mostly just felt that way because the Spartans had put some much good into it and done so much to win it.
Pat Fitzgerald, who’s said scared money doesn’t make money and coached most of the season like it, was in charge of a conservative final drive — five running plays (hindered by an illegal snap by their center), setting up a 33-yard field goal attempt by MSU’s Liam Boyd that would have been the Spartans a 24-21 lead themselves. Either way, Northwestern would have time to respond.
Northwestern blocked Boyd’s kick and then marched down the field as convincingly as they had all day.
Still, Fitzgerald and his staff should regret their approach on the final drive. They and their players had earned the right to try to put a dagger in the Wildcats. Trent Fraley’s penalty turned third-and-7 into third-and-12, but it didn’t change the clock.
Pat Fitzgerald said the final running play, on third down, was his call. “That’s on me,” explaining the decision, though without sounding regretful.
And so the Spartans’ best performance of the season — despite a plethora of notable injuries — ended the same way their last four did, in defeat.
The challenge for MSU now will be to somehow not let this beat them down, to go into the Rose Bowl next week against UCLA with a similar attitude for 58 minutes and stretch it for two more.
There are areas still to improve. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic was gritty and good at times, including a 53-yard touchdown pass to put the Spartans ahead 21-13 in the fourth quarter. He also missed a couple open receivers deep that could have put distance between the Spartans and the Wildcats. He’ll have to complete those passes as his career goes along, if he wants to remain MSU’s starter.
The defense was tremendous for much of the game against former MSU quarterback Aidan Chiles and Chip Kelly’s offense (more below). But the Spartans were mighty vulnerable on the final drive, when they needed at least one more play.
Two weeks ago, after the loss at Wisconsin, 2-5 was a predictable record at this point. MSU played better than 2-5 Saturday. If they play like that the rest of the way, they will win, eventually.
2. Apparently MSU’s defense does have some depth and some dudes
Among shames of this game for the Spartans is the spoiled performance by MSU’s defense, which gave Chiles and Northwestern fits most of the afternoon, until the last drive, the last couple really.
There were some outstanding individual performances — including from defensive tackle Ben Roberts, who had eight tackles, three for loss and two sacks, as a force at the point of attack for an defense that had five sacks and consistent pressure on Chiles, mostly from a four-man rush.
The Spartans made Northwestern’s Wing-T offense look like something that ought to be left in the 1980s, after it had been effective at times against other opponents, other than Indiana.
MSU’s young corners and backup linebackers — thrusts into prominent roles — more than hung in there. That’s promising. Long-term. And for the rest of this season.
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi called a game like a coach who knew what bothered his former quarterback. Turns out he had the guys to pull it off — until the late, when MSU’s defensive shortcomings were again evident, and Chiles was at his best, the good side of the Aidan Chiles experience, one MSU is very familiar with.
It was a heartening performance. Just not enough. It’s unclear when it will be.
3. MSU’s special teams were the difference between winning and losing.
The Spartans have leaned hard on their kicking game this season, with punter Rhys Dakin and kicker Liam Boyd having stellar seasons. Dakin entered Saturday leading FBS, averaging 51.6 yards per punt and Boyd was 9-for-11 on field goal attempts, including a perfect 8-for-8 inside 50 yards.
Make that 8-for-9 after Saturday’s blocked 33-yard field goal, a chip shot from the right hashmark that might have won the game with 1:05 remaining. It at least would have changed the pressure on Northwestern’s final drive.
Just a killer. Until then, MSU’s special teams had been the difference in this game the other way.
Dakin had a 58-yard punt late (53-yard net) in the fourth quarter that flipped the field. But it was rest of MSU’s special teams, which have been noticeably competent under first-year coach LeVar Woods, that left especially left an imprint, making plays could have swung this game.
Kenneth Williams’ 44-yard kick return to midfield before the Spartans’ third possession gave them the short field that led to their first touchdown. MSU scored later without the help of great field position, but that return certainly aided the cause. Williams has had a few impressive returns, his longest of the season coming in the opener against Toledo. This one made an important difference at a moment in the season when the Spartans sorely needed it. It helped MSU get out in front, rather than playing from behind.
Then with 2:48 until the half and Northwestern settling for a 41-yard field goal after a dropped touchdown pass that would have given the Wildcats a 10-point lead, MSU defensive tackle Eli Coenen made sure the margin stayed at three, getting his paw on the kick attempt.
Early in the fourth quarter, with MSU hanging onto a one-point lead after a good defensive stand, Chrishon McCray delivered a 41-yard punt return, which pulled the Spartans away from their own goal line and, two plays later, Alessio Milivojevic found McCray deep down the middle for a 53-yard touchdown, a play easier made from midfield than the shadow of your own end zone.
Finally, with 3:29, Northwestern inexplicably tried a fake punt, and MSU redshirt freshman linebacker DeJae White was ready, both in coverage and then to knock the pass down, giving the Spartans the ball at the Wildcats’ 28-yard line. Also critical to the play, Trey Lisle pressured Northwestern tight end Alex Honig as he was attempting to make the pass.
Two minutes later, Boyd attempted that fateful field goal.
Five plays that were the difference, one way or the other.
McCray, Williams, Coenen and Lisle deserve credit. Same for the MSU return units. Poaching Woods from Iowa might also be Pat Fitzgerald’s best move.
Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State football's 24-21 loss to Northwestern