Michigan State football: What we learned vs. Northwestern, what to watch vs. Ohio State
Looking back at Michigan State football’s 29-20 win over No. 17 Northwestern, and looking ahead to the Spartans’ home game Saturday against No. 4 Ohio State.
3 things we learned
Solid as a Rocky: His numbers won’t wow you, but junior Rocky Lombardi’s steadying presence was a big reason MSU pulled the upset. The junior completed 11 of 27 attempts (40.7%) and threw for 167 yards, including a 75-yarder to Jalen Nailor and a 15-yard pinpoint pass to Jayden Reed for his two touchdown tosses. Four of Lombardi’s completions moved the chains on third down. But his running changed the offense, gaining a career-best 65 yards on 10 carries. Four of his six runs came on third down and extended drives, including one that kept the winning field goal drive alive.
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Say Hey, kid: Along with Lombardi, Connor Heyward carried a career-high 24 times for 96 yards. He ran through defenders and kept his legs moving on contact most times, getting help from an impressive offensive line performance, and showing development in vision to let his blockers open holes. He ran with velocity.
1, 2, 3, 4 pressure: After registering five sacks and causing five turnovers through the first four games, the Spartans’ defense made more plays against the Wildcats. MSU had a season-high four sacks and six QB hurries, two of each coming from defensive end Drew Beesley. The Spartans also caused four turnovers, with cornerback Shakur Brown adding two more interceptions to up his season total to five to tie for the Big Ten lead.
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Up next
Matchup: Michigan State (2-3) vs. No. 4 Ohio State (4-0).
When: Noon, Saturday.
Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing.
TV/radio: ABC, WJR-AM (760).
Line: Ohio State by 22½.
Know the foe: The Buckeyes are in limbo after a number of positive tests for COVID-19, including coach Ryan Day, forced the cancellation of Saturday’s game at Illinois. It remains unclear if they will make the trip to East Lansing. Ohio State is among the elite teams in college footballand is led by quarterback Justin Fields. The Heisman Trophy candidate averages 302 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. He gains 33.8 rushing yards a game and has run for three scores for an offense loaded with weapons. Receivers Garrett Wilson (128.3 yards per game) and Chris Olave (97.3) each have four TD catches, and tight end Jeremy Ruckert has three TD grabs. Running back Master Teague III has six TD runs and averages 95 yards on the ground. The Buckeyes’ 45.3 points per game and 535.3 total yards per game both rank seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Defensively, OSU has talent at all three levels led by defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (three sacks), linebacker Pete Werner (24 tackles), cornerback Shaun Wade (12 tackles, interception). However, the Buckeyes allow 26 points and 389.5 yards per game, including 291 yards passing.
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3 things to watch
Waiting game: For the second time in three weeks, the Spartans enter a new week in limbo with what might happen with their opponent. After MSU lost to Indiana on Nov. 14, it took five days and a positive test from coach Mike Locksley before Maryland announced it would not be able to host the Spartans. Coincidentally, the Terrapins had to cancel their Nov. 14 game against Ohio State, which leaves the Buckeyes two short on their schedule after their cancelation against the Hoosiers.
More ties: Mark Dantonio during his tenure elevated the importance of playing Ohio State, where he won a national title as defensive coordinator in 2003, with Tucker on that Buckeyes staff as his defensive backs assistant. Dantonio even wore his championship ring when he was announced as head coach in late 2006, as a symbol of what he wanted MSU to aspire to achieve.
Tight rope: The Spartans played Northwestern without their top two tight ends, as senior Matt Dotson missed his third straight game and sophomore Trenton Gillison also sat out for the first time this season. That left MSU to rotate three players at the position, two of whom are converted kickers/punters in Tyler Hunt and Evan Morris. The other, Adam Berghorst, is a converted defensive end, who also is an MLB-drafted pitcher and moonlights on the MSU baseball team.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Read more on the Michigan State Spartans and sign up for our Spartans newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football: What we learned, what to watch vs. Ohio State
