Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways vs. Rutgers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nov 12, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) reacts to a play on Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Josh Hicks (8)(not pictured) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State football came away with a big win against Rutgers on Saturday afternoon and here are the biggest takeaways.

It finally happened. Michigan State football came away with a win on Saturday against the hapless Rutgers Scarlet Knights in blowout fashion. The Spartans won 49-0 and looked like the team everyone expected them to be at the start of the season.

The win ended a seven-game skid and provided hope for the fans and coaching staff. Not only that, but winning like that in front of a surprisingly full crowd at Spartan Stadium can do a lot for a team’s confidence. This may have been the last win of the season, but Michigan State desperately needed something to feel good about.

Fortunately, there’s still a chance the Spartans can make a bowl this year. In fact, if they win against Ohio State and Penn State to close out the year, Michigan State will be 5-7 and in prime position to be a five-win team to make the postseason. The extra bowl practices would work wonders for this team.

In reality, this team is better than its record suggests. The Spartans have had a good chance to win against Northwestern, BYU, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland and, heck, even Michigan. The record could be drastically different if they could play a full 60 minutes and not crumble in the fourth quarter.

With that, here are the major takeaways from Saturday’s win.

5. Defensive line still needs some work

Another game without a sack, but this time the defensive line didn’t have Malik McDowell to take on double teams. It’s always discouraging to see the defensive line come away sack-less, but Rutgers didn’t pass the ball much because, well, it was barely on offense.

In fact, the Scarlet Knights ran the ball twice as much as they passed and were forced to get rid of the ball quickly because of the pressure getting to the quarterback. Still, Michigan State needs to finish the job.

Not just that, but slowing down the run game early on was an issue. It seemed like the Scarlet Knights were picking up five yards consistently for a couple of drives, but then they tried passing it and nothing worked.

The defensive line got better as the game progressed, but it’s time to get that monkey off its back and record a sack again.

Sep 24, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) looks to the sidelines during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

4. Secondary is getting better

The defense’s only issue on Saturday was the fact that the defensive line was struggling and the linebackers weren’t coming up to plus the holes in the run game. The Spartans allowed just 109 rushing yards, but they were giving up consistent 3-5 yard runs through the first half.

However, it was the secondary that really showed up and showed off Saturday. Guys like Darian Hicks, Donnie Corley, Demetrious Cox, Montae Nicholson and Justin Layne looked like stars against the pass. Sure, this isn’t the same Rutgers team from last year that had All-Big Ten receiver Leonte Carroo, but Michigan State still did a bang-up job.

Holding a team to 40 passing yards for an entire game is impressive, no matter who they play. Also, the Scarlet Knights completed just 6-of-18 passes and threw two interceptions. The longest pass of the day was just 10 yards.

Michigan State’s secondary had been shaky all year long, but played well against Illinois last week and then again this week. Just like last season, the secondary is getting stronger in the second half of the year.

These guys will have their biggest test of the season against Ohio State on Saturday afternoon and then against Penn State to end the year.

Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O

3. Tyler O’Connor is the best option to start at QB

As much as I hate to admit it, Tyler O’Connor should be the guy to trust for the last two games of the season. He didn’t pass the ball much on Saturday, but when he did, he threw with confidence. Playing Rutgers is a whole lot different than playing Michigan, but he made some impressive throws.

Sure, there were a couple that he waited to long to throw and one, in particular, to Monty Madaris that may have been a touchdown had he thrown it in stride instead of over his head. That’s been the major knock on the senior all season long — waiting too long and throwing it off target.

O’Connor finished the day 10-of-15 with 141 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He had his best play to Trishton Jackson on a 50-yard catch and run. He finally began to take advantage of the young weapons at his disposal.

Some believed that Damion Terry might be the better option just because he will be in the system next year and that could help in the long-run, but O’Connor gives this team the best chance to win out.

Oh yeah, and he’s not afraid to run with the ball. He had a 16-yard run against the Scarlet Knights and didn’t even slide. The kid is tough.

Nov 12, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

2. LJ Scott is the clear No. 1 RB

You might be looking at the stat sheet and wondering why guys like Gerald Holmes and Madre London didn’t get more carries. Both had 52 yards on nine carries, but LJ Scott dominated the workload, as he should. When you have a hot hand like Scott, you don’t want to screw that up like the staff has been known to do this year.

A week ago, Scott was benched in the second half for fumbling the ball on a key drive in the third quarter. The turnover may have cost the Spartans a score and potentially momentum for the rest of the game, and Holmes came in and played very well.

Fans have been clamoring for Holmes to get more carries because he runs hard and is elusive in open space. He is averaging 5.0 yards per carry this year and is close to the same pace he had a year ago when he rushed for 540 yards.

However, it was Scott who impressed yet again on Saturday and proved that he can overcome adversity to have yet another solid game. He has officially surpassed his rushing total from last year and posted his third 100-yard game in four weeks.

Scott is the most talented back on the team and deserves the workload that comes with that distinction.

Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Trishton Jackson (8) makes a catch inbounds during the second half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

1. Future is very bright

It’s hard not to get excited about the future of this program, but a tough year like this builds character in the young guys. Do you think these kids ever want to feel this type of failure again?You’re right, they sure don’t.

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On Saturday, we got to see what the future holds for Michigan State. This 49-0 win was assisted by a ton of young players stepping up.

For example, the defensive line started three freshmen. Mike Panasiuk, Josh King and Raequan Williams all started and are all going to be staples of this unit for years to come. Behind them, Andrew Dowell played a good game at linebacker.

At cornerback, Justin Layne and Donnie Corley showed lockdown ability. The unit allowed just 40 passing yards and both guys looked like future All-Americans. Corley even had the hit of the day on a Rutgers receiver.

LJ Scott had a huge game as a sophomore running back and will be a 1,000-yard rusher for the next couple of seasons.

We all know Corley is a very capable receiver as is Felton Davis III, but this was the game in which fans saw what Trishton Jackson brings to the table. He finished with two catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, but proved to be elusive and electric.

The future is very bright for this program.