Nine MSU true freshmen most ever to play under Dantonio
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Michigan State’s season is in disarray, and its playing group is getting younger and younger every game.
Two more true freshmen made their collegiate debuts in Saturday’s 28-17 loss to Maryland. Joe Bachie took over at middle linebacker after senior Riley Bullough’s ejection for targeting, and safety Kenney Lyke made his debut in the second half after both Montae Nicholson and Demetrious Cox both left the game with injuries.
That makes a record nine true freshmen who have played for Mark Dantonio this season, six on defense and three on offense. However, MSU’s 10th-year coach said that does not mean the Spartans have turned their attention to the future.
“No. I’m not. We’re playing to try and win football games,” Dantonio said. “And everything that we can do to win a football game is what we’re gonna do. We’re playing for the future in terms of the next game.”
Justin Layne did not start but saw plenty of time at cornerback. Defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk and ends Josh King and Auston Robertson saw more action against the Terrapins. Bachie played three-plus quarters after replacing Bullough with 4:39 left in the opening quarter. Lyke came on as nickel back after sophomore Khari Willis and redshirt freshman David Dowell took over as first-string safeties following the losses of Nicholson and Cox.
“They have to understand our defense as well as the guy sitting next to him,” junior linebacker Chris Frey said. “It doesn’t matter if he’s been here four or five years. You have to understand our defense and know what to do in any situation.”
Five and counting? Maryland 28, MSU 17
On offense, Thiyo Lukusa saw more time at right tackle, especially in the second half in place of senior Miguel Machado. Fellow true freshman receiver Donnie Corley did not have a catch and Triston Jackson did not play.
Redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke started for the second straight game at quarterback, while redshirt freshman Tyler Higby started at left guard for the third straight week.
“I feel like our coaches have confidence in our young guys,” said Willis, who played as a true freshman a year ago. “We have confidence in our young guys. I mean, I’m a young guy with experience, but I feel like our confidence in ourselves is going to pay off quickly.”
Talkin' Spartans: On MSU's loss to Maryland, its 5th straight defeat
INJURIES MOUNTING: Dantonio did not disclose what happened with either Nicholson or Cox, but they weren’t the only Spartans dealing with injuries.
Dantonio told the Big Ten Network that quarterback Tyler O’Connor is “nicked up a little bit.” The senior captain dressed for the game but did not play.
MSU did not bring six other regulars to Maryland: linebackers Byron Bullough and Jon Reschke, defensive end Evan Jones, safety Grayson Miller, offensive lineman David Beedle and cornerback Drake Martinez.
PENALTY ISSUES: MSU finished with seven penalties for 84 yards, just two of them after the first quarter.
Bullough had three 15-yard penalties before his first-quarter ejection, a late hit out of bounds on Maryland’s first play of the game and a roughing-the-passer flag two plays before his ejection. Defensive tackle Kevin Williams jumped offsides later in the Terps’ first scoring drive.
MSU went for it on fourth-and-3 at the end of the first quarter, but Monty Madaris was called for a 15-yard offensive pass interference penalty. Madaris would be penalized for the same infraction in the fourth quarter, the Spartans’ only second-half penalty.
Recap: Michigan State at Maryland
Then after a TV timeout early in the second quarter, MSU was whistled for a delay of game call that had Dantonio furious at the referees.
Dantonio also did not like the fourth-quarter call on Madaris, when MSU had the ball near midfield and trailed by 4.
“You guys will have to watch that one and make that call yourself, because I’m not gonna comment on it,” Dantonio said. “He was trying to run a route, as far as I know. He was trying to run a route. A guy got his hands on him.”