Indiana Defense Wasn't Enough to Bail Out the Offense in 35-21 Loss to Michigan State

Indiana’s defense played well, but broke when it needed a stop the most. image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Lauralys Shallow

Indiana lost to Michigan State 35-21 to open up conference play. Looking specifically at the defense’s performance, there were positives and negatives IU can take away from this game moving forward as they look to rebound next week at Rutgers.

The Good 

IU won the turnover battle, forcing four takeaways off of two interceptions and two fumbles. Early in the second quarter, Cam Jones forced a fumble and Jonathan Crawford recovered it at the IU 49. Then, late in the third quarter, Khalil Bryant picked off Brian Lewerke, and on the next Michigan State drive Jones intercepted Lewerk’s pass on the IU 10. Late in the fourth, Bryant Fitzgerald forced a fumble on a Lewerke rush, and Reakwon Jones recovered the fumble at the IU 41. IU got 18 of its 21 points off of turnovers. The Hoosiers struggled to move the ball against the Spartans, and the defensive takeaways were the one of the main reasons why IU could find the end zone and stay in the game.

The defense did a nice job of getting off the field. IU held Michigan State to just 2 of 13 on third-down conversions. IU’s offense struggled to consistently move the ball against Michigan State, and it was important for IU’s defense to get off the field early on drives and often. Overall, IU forced 6 punts. In total, Michigan State had 16 drives and 10 of those resulted in either a punt or a turnover forced by the IU defense.

The Bad

I do not mean to sound like a broken record, but IU failed to get a stop when it needed it most. Logan Justus made a 36-yard field goal to cut Michigan State’s lead to seven. With 3:28 left in the game and three timeouts, IU’s defense needed a quick stop to give IU’s offense a chance to tie. The momentum IU had gained was quickly silenced when Jalen Nailor ripped a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive to put the Spartans up 35-21 and put the game out of reach. IU’s defense held Michigan State to 56 rushing yards before Nailor’s explosive play.

In one play, Michigan State gashed IU’s rush defense and IU’s hopes of forcing overtime. Taking as much responsibility as the defensive for the busted run coverage IU Coach Tom Allen said, “. . . that was just an opportunity that we had in front of us as a defense to finish the game and be the reason why and we didn't execute. That's on me. I'm in charge of the defense on this whole team.”

There looked to be confusion on the play with players appearing to look to the sideline just seconds before the ball was snapped and as Michigan State was celebrating, Indiana defenders Jonathan Crawford and Dameon Willis has to be separated from each other.

This IU defense is still young, but they had to step up and keep IU in the game, which they were able to do except for the one drive that put the game away. IU will make adjustments moving forward to prevent those explosive plays, but overall the defense played well and fought hard against a good Michigan State offense.