First Thoughts: Michigan State 42, Indiana 28
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
Quick thoughts on the Hoosiers’ 42-28 loss to Michigan State at Spartan Stadium:
What we learned: For a while, it looked as if Indiana was going to hang around and perhaps pull out a road win over a good team. Not so fast. The Hoosiers, who came in riding a wave a momentum after the dominant win over Penn State, folded when their defense allowed Michigan State to score touchdowns on five straight possessions in the middle of the game. Touchdown runs of 32 and 34 yards put the Spartans ahead 42-21 after Indiana had closed to 28-21 midway through the third quarter. This was the Hoosiers’ first away game of the season, and the loss does not do major damage to their postseason hopes.
Sudfeld sputters: The Spartans often made Nate Sudfeld jumpy in the pocket, and defensive tackle Tyler Hoover, in particular, was a pressuring force with a sack and seven tackles. Sudfeld went 14 of 30 for 137 yards before being replaced in the fourth quarter. He was also sacked by Shilique Calhoun and scrambled three times for 23 yards. For whatever reason — his banged-up offensive line, Michigan State’s tight coverage, imbalanced play calling or his own inaccuracy — Sudfeld was horrible. It was his worst game of the season.
Run defense pummeled: The key point in the game came after the Hoosiers closed to 28-21 in the third quarter. That’s when the defense needed to buckle down and get Indiana the ball back. The series started at the 35 after Mitch Ewald’s kickoff went out of bounds. The Spartans ran it right down their throat. As the offensive line constantly opened holes, running backs gained 50 yards in five rushes on the scoring drive. Down 35-21, things only got worse from there for the Hoosiers.
Offensive line shaky: Playing without honorable mention All-Big Ten right guard Dan Feeney, there were already questions about how Indiana’s offensive line would hold up in physical contests. Jason Spriggs (left tackle), Bernard Taylor (left guard), Collin Rahrig (center), Jake Reed (right guard) and Ralston Evans (right tackle) were inconsistent. Reed and Evans came out of the game banged up. Feeney and David Kaminski are lost for the season. The line was weak blocking rushes, aside from its excellent work on Tevin Coleman’s 64-yard touchdown run on the first series, and failed to give Sudfeld a sound pocket.
All-around demise: The defense continued its roller coaster ride. Good against Indiana State, terrible against Navy, great against Bowling Green, bad against Missouri, strong versus Penn State, totally ineffective at Michigan State. On Saturday the Spartans had 473 yards of total offense and averaged an impressive 6.1 yards per snap. Tailback Jeremy Langford had 23 carries for 109 yards and three touchdowns, plus an 11-yard reception for another score. Meanwhile, Indiana’s offense punted eight times and was slowed by a top defense. Kofi Hughes had just four catches and stars Coleman and Cody Latimer were limited outside of their touchdowns.
What’s next. The Hoosiers head back north to face quarterback Devin Gardner and Michigan (Saturday, Big Ten Network, 3:30 p.m. ET).
Follow Chris Goff on Twitter: chrisgoff_ISL.
