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V-Cast: did Michigan State step backward in unsatisfying win over FCS Youngstown State?

On3 imageby: Paul Konyndyk9 hours agoPKonyndyk
msu-ysu v-cast

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Coming off an emotional double overtime win over Boston College, Michigan State was hoping to put its best foot forward in the non-conference finale against FCS opponent Youngstown State. The Spartans fell short of that objective, however, in a game that was much closer than some of the other FCS match-up against Big Ten teams have been.

After the 41-24 win, SpartanMag.com staffers Jim Comparoni and Paul Konyndyk checked in from the press box at Spartan Stadium with the latest V-Cast.

V-CAST TOPICS

Injuries: Michigan State came into this game relatively healthy, but saw a significant number of players limp to the sideline with injuries. Starting wide receiver Nick Marsh went to the sideline with an apparent lower body injury in the second quarter. Starting running back Makhi Frazier also left the game with an injury. Oregon State transfer Luka Vincic, a guard, suffered what appeared to be a long-term injury. Linebacker Brady Pretzlaff and Stanton Ramil did not finish the second half. If Frazier and Marsh are unable to go next week, the Spartans will be without two significant playmakers on offense to start Big Ten play. Frazier is the leading rusher for the Spartans to this point in the season, with 214 yards., two rushing touchdowns and a 4.8 yards per carry average. Marsh, meanwhile, leads Michigan State in receptions (16), receiving yards (194), and receiving touchdowns (three).

Defensive Struggles: Michigan State struggled to get stops on defense for the second straight week. Youngstown State did a nice job of putting the Spartan defense in some difficult spots with a gritty quarterback that presented the threat of a run and a scheme that had Michigan State on its heels. The Spartans need to be better defensively, and it didn’t help having Jordan Hall on the sideline for a significant stretch of the fourth quarter. Youngtown State started the game with a confidence-building first drive that resulted in a field goal.

Run Game woes: Michigan State piled up 174 rushing yards with four rushing touchdowns, but the Spartans were unable to get the production on the ground from their running backs that they had hoped for. Frazier averaged 1.8 yards per carry before leaving the field with a lower body injury in the second half. Brandon Tullis faired better averaging 4.4 yards per carry, and the Spartan running back room got a boost late in the game from Elijah Tau-Tolliver who averaged 9.2 yards per carry. The leading rusher for the Spartans was Chiles, who finished with 76 yards rushing in the win.

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