Photo: Ben Lonergan ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING, October 5, 2024 ~ Michigan State football (3-3) could only find the end zone once under the Friday night lights in Eugene, Oregon against the No. 6 Ducks (5-0) in a 31-10 loss.
The game started off promising for the Spartans, as sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles converted on a fourth down 44-yards down the field to freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh for a set up near the goal line. Soon after the big play, Chiles would fumble trying to rush for a touchdown and give the ball, along with the momentum, to the Ducks.
The snowball effect carried on throughout the night for the offense as the unit was not able to generate many yards through the pass or the run for the duration of the match.
On the other hand, the defense failed to stop the run, giving up more than 150 yards rushing to Oregon running back Jordan James in the first half. The scoreboard could have looked worse for MSU by the end of the first 30 minutes though, as two interceptions in Oregon’s red zone by redshirt junior defensive back Charles Brantley and junior safety Malik Spencer helped hold the total deficit to three touchdowns.
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(CONTINUED) The second half showed a little bit of life from the offense and less takeaways by the defense. Sixth year running back Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams scored the team’s only touchdown of the night with a one-yard run almost halfway through the final period. Graduate kicker Jonathan Kim nailed his only field goal attempt on a 42-yarder in the final two minutes of the game.
While there were a lot of cons on both sides of the ball, highlighted by a lack of offensive line protection and a 225-yard discrepancy between the teams, a couple of positives can be built on in two weeks for the next contest. Of those categories, designed quarterback runs, accuracy on deep throws, and clutch forced turnovers proved to be most evident.
The green and white will look to regroup during their upcoming bye week next weekend and enjoy some rest in East Lansing until their next kickoff against Iowa on Oct. 19.
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