Another week, another game where the Michigan State defense lets the opposing offense look amazing.
Free Press sports writer Rainer Sabin answers three questions after Michigan State’s lost to Minnesota, 34-7, on Saturday in East Lansing.
After watching Washington gut his defense in a dispiriting loss, MSU head coach Mel Tucker promised there would be changes. Asked Monday if he planned to adjust his personnel, Tucker responded, “Yes.” But when Minnesota took the field Saturday, the lineup looked virtually the same. The only alteration not prompted by injury was made at the nickel spot, where Justin White replaced Chester Kimbrough. Not surprisingly, the results were similar as well. From the outset, the Spartans were on their heels. Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan pierced MSU’s overmatched secondary. He completed 8 of his first 9 pass attempts, helping Minnesota seize a 14-0 lead before Michigan State ran its fourth play. As the Gophers marched down the field, they routinely penetrated the second and third levels of MSU’s defense. Safeties Kendell Brooks and Angelo Grose were the closest defenders on five of the 10 plays Minnesota ran on its opening drive.
It was an ominous sign but also a familiar one for Michigan State.
