Updated 4:00 p.m. ET: To answer someone’s question, yes, the idea of losing to Indiana was enough to scare Michigan State into playing actual football.
Down 13 points at the half, Sparty kept the Hoosiers scoreless in the second half and scored 17 points to win 31-27. Running back Le’Veon Bell got going with 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns while MSU’s defense completely shut IU down, allowing under 50 yards.
It’s kind of embarrassing that Michigan State needed to come back against Indiana, and Mark Dantonio might show just how unhappy he is in another post-game press conference, but sometimes you just have to take the win any way you can get it.
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Whatever slump Michigan State has been in over the past few weeks doesn’t look like it’s ending anytime soon. The Spartans aren’t helping themselves either by taking out their frustrations on the field.
MSU has six personal foul penalties and seven total penalties for 105 yards as Indiana leads 27-14 at the half. That’s undisciplined for any team, but MSU looks like it’s unraveling. Indiana has cashed in on those mistakes, not to mention played fearless by executing a surprise onside kick.
IU quarterback Cameron Coffman has thrown for 256 yards against what has been a good Michigan State defense this year (the Spartans have not allowed over 20 points this season).
Now, Sparty’s offense needs to play catch up while its defense needs to clamp down. Can Michigan State get it done?
