Michigan State University Athletics
Grinz on Green Blog
10/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 2011
By Steve Grinczel, Online Columnist
Michigan State may not have come out flat in its 24-3 loss at Nebraska, but the Spartans sure were out of balance in every way imaginable.
Whether it was an inability to establish the running game to set up the pass, or passing effectively to take pressure off the run game, the Spartans could never get in sync.
In this case, the statistics tell the story of the game.
"When you have 53 plays and 200 yards of offense, you aren't going win a game, usually," head coach Mark Dantonio generalized.
The numeric picture wasn't even that good for MSU. Nebraska ran 71 plays (including four punts) on offense to MSU's 57 (five punts), and outgained the Spartans, 270-187.
So, blame the offense, which couldn't sustain drives thanks to converting just 3-of-14 third downs for the game, and none of four in the second half.
At the same time, blame the defense, which couldn't get off the field on third down. The Cornhuskers were 7-for-15 in third-down situations.
Things were really out of whack in the third quarter, when Nebraska put MSU away with a pair of touchdowns.
The Cornhuskers opened the second half with a drive that covered 80 yards, consumed five minutes and 33 seconds and featured pickups in third-and-5, third-and-10 and third-and-2 situations.
Michigan State's opportunity to answer lasted seven plays. The Spartans converted one third down, thanks to a Nebraska penalty, but on third-and-7 at the Cornhusker 43, quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked for a 7-yard loss.
After a Mike Sandler punt, Nebraska started its next possession at the 11-yard line. The Spartans defense had three chances to get off the field, but Nebraska picked up 2 yards on a third-and-1, took advantage of a Spartans' offside penalty on third-and-3 and completed a 19-yard pass play on third-and-10.
Michigan State had the final play of the third quarter, but you want to talk about imbalance?
How about 11:23 time of possession to 3:37 and six rushing and pass plays by MSU to Nebraska's 25.
Throw in nine penalties for 90 yards, after being flagged for zero fouls a week earlier in the win over Wisconsin, and it's a wonder Michigan State was only a play or two from threatening the Cornhuskers.
"What is deflating is when you put yourself in the situation to get off the field and there's a penalty," Dantonio said. "Yes, they're going to make some plays, but you have to get off the field on third down.
"We had only one drive in the third quarter, and were only one drive away. It's a difficult situation. It's not like they ran away with it. In the second half, we had a combination of hurting ourselves and them making the plays."
That's not the kind of balance Dantonio wants to see again this season.
