V-Cast: Michigan State shows some fight on defense in loss to Maryland
East Lansing, Mich. – No team is going to win a Big Ten game when it commits five turnovers, and such was the case for Michigan State in a 31-9 loss to Maryland on homecoming. Despite the turnovers, the Spartans showed some resolve, especially on defense. That isn’t enough to characterize this as a moral victory because there are none of those. For this beleaguered team, however, progress is progress and the Spartans made some on defense.
Afterward, SpartanMag staffers Jim Comparoni and Paul Konyndyk check in from the press box at Spartan Stadium with news, analysis, and the latest on the coaching search in the SpartanMag V-Cast.
TOPICS COVERED
TALKING DEFENSE: The Michigan State defense bounced back strong in this game, one week after yielding a school record for yardage given up in a beat down at the hands of Washington. In a game where the Spartans committed five turnovers, the defense showed surprising resolve against one of the most productive offenses in the Big Ten. Taulia Tagovailoa isn’t Michael Penix Jr., but he’s a darn good quarterback with quality weapons around him. Nobody want to hear about moral victories, but the Spartan defense played well under tough circumstances.
QUARTERBACK PLAY: Noah Kim threw some good passes in this game, but struggled with interceptions. He threw two picks before exiting in the fourth quarter one possession after rolling his ankle on a third-down sack. Katin Houser looked solid in relief of Kim, until he too was bitten by the turnover bug. Houser threw a pick on a screen pass, squandering a 12-play 82-yard drive. Sam Leavitt, a true freshman, played the final offensive series for Michigan State in his college football debut. After the game, interim head coach Harlon Barnett indicated that Kim was still the starting quarterback for the Spartans. Be that as it may, it was good for Houser to get some real experience for the second straight week. If for some reason Kim is unable to play against Iowa next weekend of if he were to get the hook due to poor play, Houser is beginning to look like he can effectively run the offense.
TURNOVERS: Michigan State committed five turnovers in this game, and all of them were costly. Kim threw two picks. Nate Carter gave up an uncharacteristic fumble. The Spartans had a fumble in the return game. Houser also had an interception. With all of those turnovers, the Spartans never gave themselves a chance to win.
COACHING SEARCH: SpartanMag has some of the most in-depth coaching search information available and we go over some of it in the V-Cast. The Spartans are 0-2 since the suspension of Mel Tucker, and with one third of the season played, it will be difficult for interim coach Harlon Barnett to make the type of impression necessary to earn the job.
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