.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Michigan State Football: 3 things we learned from Furman win
It will be a growing process for Michigan State Football’s offense, however, there is plenty of promise for the Spartans this season.
These non-conference games are always a mixed bag because teams are breaking in new personal and at times coaches. It is difficult to judge how good a team will be while playing an FCS opponent. Such was the case with Michigan State Football on Friday night.
Many times it can be difficult for a team to “get up” for a game against a widely considered inferior opponent, much like the Tennessee vs Appalachian State game. It was a sloppy game by the Spartans, filled with penalties, turnovers, and inconsistency. It was an ugly game. However there were many bright spots for MSU. There were things we learned from the game.
1. Darian Hicks was targeted
Darian Hicks was part of Furman’s attacking passing plan. While Hicks played well, he did fail to get his head around in time on several plays, which caused penalties. The calls were reminiscent of Michigan State vs. Notre Dame 2013. Hicks has much improved over his time at MSU. He will need to continue on that path if MSU will resurrect the ‘No Fly Zone’ moniker. It will be interesting to watch if other teams mimic Furman’s approach.
2. Tyler O’Connor learning curve
There will be a learning curve for Tyler O’Connor. He had a tendency to lock onto a receiver much like the second quarter throw to Felton Davis III on a second down and seventeen as well as the interception in the fourth. Albeit his touchdown pass later in the quarter to Davis III was picturesque and was the type of pass that Spartan fans had grown customer to seeing.
More from Spartan Avenue
One area that O’Connor appears to be an improvement over Connor Cook would the bubble screen and short passing game. Often Cook made the short pass more difficult than it needed to be. Whereas O’Conner made the pass quick and with little effort. The bubble screen was a huge part of the playbook during the Kirk Cousin lead teams.
3. Defensive line was inconsistent
The defensive line played well in moments yet Furman was to be able to control the line of scrimmage. Furman’s P.J. Blazejowski regularly had time to throw the football. The mass exodus in the off season of defensive linemen has clearly hurt MSU. It was the first game and there are many new faces on the line and they’ll get better, but there will be growing pains.
This game proved to be an excellent training ground for the Spartans. However MSU will have to bring their “A” game if they are going to compete with Norte Dame and the Big Boys of the Big Ten.
This article originally appeared on 
