Michigan State D-line coach Legi Suiaunoa offers critique of pass rush through four games

EAST LANSING, Mich. - When Michigan State faces Nebraska on Saturday, it will be a matchup of the Big Ten’s statistically worst pass defense (Michigan State) against the conferences No. 1 pass offense.  Well, those total yards statistics can be a little misleading, due in part to things like opponent pace of play. In terms of per-play average, which is regarded as a better gauge of overall merit, Nebraska’s pass offense is No. 5 in the Big Ten at 9.3 yards per pass attempt. Good, not great.  Michigan State is No. 12 in the Big Ten in yards allowed per pass attempt. Mediocre, not terrible.  Any way you look at it, the Spartan pass defense needs to be much sharper coming out of its bye week in getting ready to face Nebraska QB Dylan Raoila and a balanced pass attack. Pass rush remains an area that is begging for a sharp spike of improvement. Michigan State ranks tied at No. 15-17 in the Big Ten in sacks with six. That’s near last year’s dismal ranking of No. 16 in the conference when the Spartans had just 19 sacks in 2024.   Michigan State defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa met with media after practice on Wednesday and said he sees progress with Spartan pass rushers, but better productivity is needed. He says that would be possible if the Spartan defense could do a better job of setting up third-and-long passing situations, which means stopping the run better than they did against USC. “I think the first thing we've got to be able to do as a defense is be able to dictate those situations,” Suiaunoa said. “Obviously the last game (against USC), we didn't stop the run. We didn't stop the pass. We didn't stop their offense at all." (MORE inside SpartanMag. Join SpartanMag now - $1 for the first week - and enjoy a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership.)