Grading the Spartans' performance against Indiana

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch grades Michigan State on a scale of 1-10.

OFFENSE: 5

For three and half quarters, MSU’s offense sputtered. Quarterback Brian Lewerke couldn’t hit tight targets and missed a few open ones. His receivers struggled to create separation. The Spartans couldn’t get much of a push on the ground, either. But when it mattered most, when failure meant losing, these guys came through. It was impressive poise from a young offense. Freshman receiver Cody White was the star of the night, with six catches for 99 yards. Felton Davis and Hunter Rison also made pivotal plays. And, beginning with the third-and-19, trailing 9-3 midway through the fourth quarter, Lewerke went 5-for-5 passing for 73 yards and a touchdown. That’s a heckuva way to close.

DEFENSE: 9

You can’t ask much more of a defense. The Spartans held the Hoosiers to 253 total yards and, more importantly, out of the end zone. No other team — not Ohio State, Penn State nor Michigan — has done that. Indiana was just 4 of 18 on third- and fourth-down conversions. MSU handled the tempo and, when the Spartans wore down late, they got it together in the red zone. Joe Bachie (13 tackles), Justin Layne (10) and Andrew Dowell (10) all had double-digit tackles. And it was the sure tackling that stood out, especially by Layne, who had the toughest matchup of the day, defending Indiana’s stud receiver Simmie Cobbs, who finished with a modest seven catches for 53 yards. 

SPECIAL TEAMS: 8

MSU punter Jake Hartbarger put together another NFL-type performance, averaging 46.2 yards on eight punts, including a 62-yarder downed inside the 1-yard line. He dropped another inside the 10-yard line. Matt Coghlin made his only field goal attempt, from 23 yards out, to tie the game 3-3, and Brett Scanlon had his best day, with two touchbacks on four kickoffs. The return game, however, did almost nothing, as MSU tried three freshmen — Cody White and Laress Nelson on punt returns and Connor Hayward on kickoffs.

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COACHING: 8

There were a couple head-scratching play calls, most notably and halfback pass back to Brian Lewerke on third-and-goal from the 5-yard line. But there were also a few creative gems that helped jolt an otherwise struggling offense, including the reverse to Felton Davis that went for 16 yards in the fourth quarter, setting up the go-ahead touchdown. Mostly, MSU’s young roster put together a gritty effort on a night nothing came easy. MSU would have lost this sort of game last year. Its defense looked ready for its most exhausting challenge and its offense, after an early turnover, didn’t make the big mistake to take it out of the game. This was a focused and disciplined effort. MSU had just three penalties for 35 yards.

BOTTOM LINE

MSU might not be at the level of Ohio State or Penn State. But it looks like the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes are going to have to prove it. MSU is 6-1 and 4-0 and in the thick of the Big Ten East race until someone shows otherwise. And with six wins already, the Spartans are bowl-eligible with a week left in October. That’s a beautiful place to be.

— Graham Couch