Michigan State Football: Defensive Struggles and Costly Mistakes in Loss to Nebraska
Michigan State’s football team is under scrutiny after a tough loss to Nebraska, with the defense showing both resilience and glaring weaknesses. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), grades are based on what a player attempts to do on a given play, not the outcome, which provides a nuanced view of performance. Linebackers Dion Crawford and Caleb Wheatland earned notable grades of 70.0, reflecting their efforts despite the team’s overall struggles. Wheatland, in particular, stepped up massively with a career- and game-high nine tackles, six solo, and one quarterback pressure, helping to keep the Cornhuskers from dominating. His performance was crucial, especially with key defenders Jordan Hall and Brady Pretzlaff injured. Hall and Ben Roberts continue to set the standard for the defense whenever they’re on the field, but their absence was felt.nnHowever, the big miss for Michigan State’s defense for the second straight week was generating consistent pressure on the quarterback. Without a reliable pass rush, the Spartans allowed Nebraska’s offense to find rhythm and move the chains. This deficiency has become a recurring theme and must be addressed for the team to compete in the Big Ten. The defense’s inability to disrupt the quarterback directly contributed to the loss, as the Cornhuskers were able to execute their game plan effectively.nnIn addition to defensive woes, special teams and discipline proved costly. Kenny Soares was flagged for a personal foul at a key moment, a penalty that proved more punitive than the crime, according to Soares himself. “They didn’t get the best Kenny today,” he admitted, highlighting the emotional toll of the mistake. The flag shifted momentum and gave Nebraska favorable field position, ultimately contributing to the loss. Such undisciplined plays are uncharacteristic of a well-coached team and must be cleaned up moving forward.nnLooking ahead, Michigan State must regroup and address these issues. The return of injured players like Hall and Pretzlaff will bolster the defense, but the pass rush needs to improve. The coaching staff will likely emphasize discipline and execution in practice. With the season still young, the Spartans have time to correct their mistakes and live up to their
Shimanta Das 
