Grading Michigan State's 16-13 loss at Arizona State

OFFENSE: 4

MSU’s offense moved the ball well early and put up 314 yards through the air. But it also put up just 13 points, mostly because it struggled in critical short-yardage situations and to protect quarterback Brian Lewerke when it needed to most. Lewerke wasn’t great. He missed a few targets and didn’t manage a couple moments well. But when an offense that has Lewerke, Felton Davis, Cody White and Darrell Stewart in its passing game is still struggling, the other elements deserve thorough introspection. You’ll find that the Spartans rushed for 4 yards on five carries in the red zone. In four trips inside the Arizona State 20-yard line, MSU had one touchdown (only after being pushed back to the 31 by a penalty), an interception in the end zone and two field goals. Therein lies the meat of the problem.

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DEFENSE: 7

This was a tough assignment for MSU’s defense. Likely NFL first-round draft pick N’Keal Harry demanded the full attention of MSU corner Justin Layne, who held is own and kept Arizona State from targeting Harry as often as usual through three quarters. Sun Devils’ QB Manny Wilkins is a deft playmaker, with a good pocket feel. He’s hard to bring down, even when you think you’re closing in. Still, 380 yards is a lot of yards to give up through the air. And, for the second straight week, MSU gave up a double-digit-play drive late in the fourth quarter and fell behind. This time, its offense wasn’t left any time to counter.

SPECIAL TEAMS: 8

If punter Jake Hartbarger is out for a while after a scary hit to the lower plant leg in the second half, this was a disastrous special teams night. If not, it was solid, other than one partial punt block by the Sun Devils. Hartbarger’s best punt — a 74-yard boom — came right after a quick and fruitless MSU possession which followed Arizona State’s first score. Just as momentum seemed to be swinging away from the Spartans, Hartbarger pinned the Sun Devils deep. MSU kicker Matt Coghlin made all three field goal attempts and is 6-for-6 this year. Nothing of consequence happened in the return game for either team.

COACHING: 5

MSU fans on social media were, per usual, frustrated with MSU offensive coordinator Dave Warner throughout the game. Other than one really slow-developing run play in the red zone, I thought he called the game to MSU’s strengths. Warner came out of halftime with a play-action pass and, when MSU was pinned deep early in the fourth quarter, he put the ball in Lewerke’s hands, rolled him out right, setting up a completion. I didn’t think the clock management defensively was great at the end of the game. The way that final Arizona State drive was going, I would have let the Sun Devils score two plays before they ever thought about taking a knee to set up a last-second field goal. The offensive line needs work. Mark Staten and Co. are undoubtedly working on it. But after two weeks, it’s not ready for prime time.

BOTTOM LINE

I don’t like the phrase, “All of our goals are still in front us,” which MSU players and Mark Dantonio so often utter after defeats. Isn’t one of the goals to go undefeated? That goal is no longer in front of you. But in terms of a Big Ten championship and even the College Football Playoff, Saturday night wasn’t disqualifying. The quality of play in several aspects, however, won’t allow the Spartans to sniff those goals. MSU has a needed bye week and two weeks to reset itself before traveling to Indiana. It’ll be interesting to see what’s done to give this team a better shot in short-yardage and red-zone situations.

— Graham Couch