HALF: Michigan state offense explodes, leads Rutgers 21-13

After a scary start for Michigan State, the team settled in and lead Rutgers 21-13 in Piscataway, New Jersey.

MSU tries an earlier ruse

Starting the game with the ball, Michigan State ran the field efficiently with big chunks from junior running back Kenneth Walker III and junior wide receiver. Jalen nailor. The drive stopped at the Rutgers 25-yard line and the field goal unit took the field.

The Spartans continued their joy of playing aggressively by calling for opening practice, this time with a false basket. Redshirt’s senior punter Bryce Baringer lined up the snap, went to his right and had nowhere to go with the ball. Rutgers was prepared for the fake and took over.

Riding with some momentum from the fourth stop, the Scarlet Knights roamed the field with ease, including a conversion to third and 18. Rutgers then went with the wildcat first and goal and wide receiver Aron Cruickshank had scored on a four-meter tactile pass.

Michigan state defense struggles to tackle

“Bend don’t break” has been the Spartans’ defensive style for five games. This strategy is difficult to execute when you don’t finish, however, and MSU has struggled to do so so far. Rutgers senior quarterback Noah Vedral looked quite slippery in the first practice, smashing several tackles for a 33-yard run that established Rutgers’ touchdown.

Redshirt first-year linebacker absent first half Cal Haladay, who was ejected in the second half last week and who is one of the best tackles on the team, has been felt. Redshirt junior linebacker Ben VanSumeren started in place of Haladay while Redshirt senior linebacker Noah Harvey also entered the mix, but Haladay’s second half return should be of great help.

However, Michigan State has done a good job of generating pressure up front of the defensive line. Vedral was under duress the entire half and was sacked twice. If some of the tackles had been better, chances are that number would be higher.

Michigan State offense profits from explosive pieces

After Rutgers’ three scores, first a touchdown and then two field goals in the second quarter, MSU had quick responses for both with a pair of discs taking under two minutes. First after Rutgers’ touchdown, the Spartans directed a false wide receiver screen to junior wide receiver Jayden Reed. One of Rutgers’ cornerback bit the scythe and Nailor beat him on the left sideline for a 63-yard touchdown.

Then in the second quarter Rutgers took a 10-7 lead on a shot on goal, and again MSU responded with a long touchdown. From a box scoring standpoint, it was exactly the same: a 63-yard touchdown from Nailor. He caught the ball on the right sideline, fell back to the left and passed two Rutgers defenders for his second half-time touchdown.

But, he had not finished there. Following a Rutgers field goal to reduce MSU’s lead to 14-13, Michigan State broke the old reliable flea flicker, and it worked for the third time this season. Nailor hesitated on the straight sideline, then passed a Rutgers cornerback for a 65-yard touchdown. Nailor set the SHI Stadium record for most receiving yards in one half with 208 yards.

Rutgers will start the half with the ball.