.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Michigan State Football: Tyler O'Connor becoming an elite quarterback
Michigan State football’s Tyler O’Connor is establishing himself as one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten.
There’s plenty of good quarterback play in the Big Ten. While J.T. Barrett of Ohio State is widely considered the best, Tyler O’Connor is beginning to make his mark. It could not come at a better time considering the Big Ten schedule starts this Saturday with Michigan State football hosting No. 11 Wisconsin.
Must Read: MSU Football: Report card for Spartans’ win over Notre Dame
There were some throws that O’Connor missed Saturday night, and missed terribly. O’Connor was 19-of-26 in pass attempts with 241 yards and two touchdowns to go along with one pick. The interception play appeared to be the result of miscommunication.
Often, quarterbacks will throw to where the receiver is supposed to be and considering O’Connor has been learning this offense for five years now, that interception is likely the receiver’s fault.
For the casual fan this is difficult to imagine because we grew up passing to the open guy not throwing to where someone’s supposed to be. However, quarterbacks do not have all day or to the count of “10 Mississippi” to throw the ball.
More from Spartan Avenue
Sure, there were some throws that I was not impressed by and should have been made. The third down fourth quarter throw into the middle of the field on a critical play was disappointing, yet O’Connor made up for it on the next series. Another time he ran for a few yards and you could see Donnie Corley on the post pulling away from the defensive back.
However, O’Connor felt the rush and figured he would not have time. It was a smart, heady play by a seasoned vet.
The ball, at times, came out of his hand like it was a rock and not a pigskin. It reminded me of Dan Fouts’ knuckle ball throws back in the day. That’s a nit-picking, comment and honestly “who cares?” when the Spartans win. He used his legs well against the Norte Dame rush and the offense seemed to jive really well.
O’Connor played well and is improving each week. I anticipate he will be even better against Wisconsin.
This article originally appeared on 
