Vanessa: That kick was pure drama. Jackson Kleather drilling a 34-yarder with two seconds left to steal a 24-21 win from the Spartans? If you missed that heartbreaker against Northwestern, you are not alone. We’re talking about it right now.
Nick: It’s a tough pill to swallow, Van. You have Alessio Milivojevic throwing for 216 yards and two touchdowns, but you can’t establish the run. Jaziun Patterson had 72 yards on 15 carries. That is not enough to keep a defense honest when you’re playing in the Big Ten.
Vanessa: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Vanessa, your lead host, and this is your daily stop for everything Michigan State. Nick is here with me, ready to break down the tape and answer your questions. Today is a Mailbag episode, so we’re diving straight into your emails.
Nick: We’ve got three segments planned. First, we’ll tackle the biggest storylines from that Northwestern loss—why the offense stalled in the red zone and if the line protection held up. Second, we’re looking at roster battles, specifically who steps up if the running game stays stagnant. And third, we’re doing a lightning round on the upcoming UCLA matchup.
Vanessa: Before we get there, let’s look at the standings. Michigan State sits at 2-5, currently 17th in the Big Ten. It’s a tough spot, but we still have games to play. Let’s jump into Segment 1 with your first question.
Vanessa: First up, we have Sarah from East Lansing asking: 'Nick, we knew Milivojevic could throw, but why did the offense feel so one-dimensional against Northwestern? Was it scheme or execution?' Great question, Sarah.
Nick: It’s a bit of both, Sarah. Looking at the stats, Milivojevic went 19-of-30 for 216 yards. That’s efficient, sure. But you’re seeing the issue in the rushing numbers. Jaziun Patterson had 15 carries for just 72 yards. When you average under five yards per carry, defenses start cheating up into the box.
Vanessa: Right, and then you see what Northwestern did. They had Caleb Komolafe rush for 67 yards and a touchdown. They knew the run wasn’t going anywhere, so they could focus on stopping Milivojevic’s deep shots. Did Chrischon McCray catch those big plays because of skill or because the defense was out of position?
Nick: McCray had three catches for 64 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown. That’s explosive. But look at the scoring drive. Milivojevic connected with Bryson Williams on a 32-yard pass too. The offense scored 21 points, which isn’t terrible, but in the Big Ten, 21 points is often not enough against a disciplined team like Northwestern.
Vanessa: And let’s talk about the defensive side for a second. Dion Crawford had 14 tackles. He was everywhere. But Michael Kilbane got one sack on the other side. Did the pass protection hold up overall?
Nick: Milivojevic managed to spread his success, but he also took hits. The offensive line didn’t blow anyone away, but they kept him upright enough to make plays. However, without establishing the run, the play-action game never truly developed. Once you’re behind schedule, you’re forced into obvious passing downs, and that’s when defenses like Northwestern’s secondary thrive.
Vanessa: So, the takeaway is: efficiency in the air means nothing if you can’t control the clock. Next question comes from Marcus in Detroit: 'Ben Roberts had two sacks against Northwestern. Is he emerging as a consistent edge rusher for this team?' Ben, what do you think?
Nick: Two sacks is a strong stat line, Marcus. It shows he’s getting home on the quarterback. Aidan Chiles, Northwestern’s QB, had 226 yards, but being pressured changes things. Roberts’ ability to collapse the pocket gives the defense a chance to force mistakes. If he can replicate that pressure next week against UCLA, it will be huge.
Vanessa: I agree. Pressure creates chaos. If Ben Roberts keeps generating that kind of disruption, it takes some of the weight off the secondary. Let’s move to Segment 2. We’ve got more questions coming in, and this one is about the depth chart.
Vanessa: @SpartanFan88 asks: 'With Jaziun Patterson struggling, who else on the roster has the talent to take over the backfield? Are we looking at Cam Edwards or maybe even splitting time with Zion Gist?' This is a critical question for the fans.
Nick: It’s a tough call, @SpartanFan88. Patterson started, so he likely gets the bulk of the snaps, but the coaching staff needs to evaluate who provides a different look. Cam Edwards and Zion Gist are both on the roster. The key is finding someone who can create separation in the short game to help Milivojevic when the deep ball isn’t falling.
Vanessa: And don’t forget the fullback situation. Jay Coyne is listed on the roster. Sometimes a fullback can chip the edge or pick up a blitz, which helps the running back find a seam. Do you think the tight ends need to be more involved in the run game too?
Nick: Absolutely. Charlie Baker and Joe Caudill are listed as tight ends. In a ground-and-pound approach, having a tight end block effectively on the perimeter allows the running back to hit the edge. If the inside running lanes are clogged by Northwestern’s linebackers, you have to go outside. That’s where the fullback and tight ends become essential.
Vanessa: So, versatility is the name of the game. If Patterson isn’t getting chunks of yards, the coaches might need to rotate backs or use more personnel groups to trick the defense. Next question from Lisa in Ann Arbor: 'What about the wide receiver corps? Chrishon McCray had a big day, but who else can step up?'
Nick: McCray is clearly the top target right now. But looking at the roster, you have Rodney Bullard Jr., Colin Charles, Braylon Collier, Jameel Gardner Jr., Samson Gash, Nick Hardy, and Fredrick Moore. That’s a lot of talent. The challenge is consistency. Milivojevic needs another reliable option besides McCray to stretch the field horizontally.
Vanessa: Right, because if every defense focuses on shutting down McCray, the other receivers have to win their one-on-one matchups. It’s about creating spacing. If the receivers can’t get open, the quarterback holds the ball too long, and that leads to sacks or turnovers. Speaking of which, let’s pause for a quick word from our supporters.
Vanessa: Hey everyone, before we wrap up, we want to say thank you. If you enjoyed breaking down these film sessions and mailbag answers, please consider supporting us via the link in the episode description. Your contributions keep this show free and allow us to bring you this level of analysis every single day.
Nick: We appreciate it. It’s the support that lets us keep digging into the details, like we did today with the Spartans' roster and strategy. Thank you for listening.
Vanessa: Alright, back to business. Segment 3: Lightning Round. First, a fun hypothetical. If Michigan State could magically fix one thing for the UCLA game, what would it be? Go.
Nick: Establishing the run. Just one game where Jaziun Patterson or another back averages six yards per carry. That changes the entire complexion of the game against a ranked opponent like No. 9 UCLA.
Vanessa: Agreed. Now, quick take: Does Liam Boyd’s kicking stabilize the offense? He kicked all the extra points and seemed clutch. Yes or no?
Nick: Yes. Reliability at kicker matters. But remember, the field goals were made by Jackson Kleather for Northwestern. For MSU, Boyd’s accuracy ensures you don’t leave points on the board. It’s a confidence booster for the offense.
Vanessa: Next quick take: Can Dion Crawford single-handedly win the defensive battle? He had 14 tackles against Northwestern. Is he the MVP of the defense right now?
Nick: He’s certainly the engine. 14 tackles is a massive workload. But football is a team sport. If the front seven doesn’t generate pressure, Crawford has to cover more ground. He’s vital, but he needs help from guys like Ben Roberts to disrupt the backfield.
Vanessa: Final quick take: What’s the score prediction for UCLA? Be specific.
Nick: I think MSU keeps it close, but UCLA’s speed is too much. I’ll say 28-24. It’s a gritty loss, but not a blowout. The Spartans showed they can compete.
Vanessa: 28-24. Tough game, but competitive. Alright, let’s recap. We talked about the Northwestern loss, Milivojevic’s passing efficiency, the need for a better run game, and the upcoming challenge against No. 9 UCLA.
Vanessa: If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the show. It helps more fans find us. And as always, keep that Spartan pride alive. Go Green!
Nick: See you next time.