The Huskers, fresh off a much needed bye week, will be in for a good challenge this Saturday afternoon, as they host the 3-1 Michigan State Spartans.
Led by head coach Jonathan Smith and an excellent young quarterback in junior Aidan Chiles, the Spartans started off the season with three straight victories over Western Michigan, Boston College (in 2 OT) and Youngstown State, before losing to #25 USC 45-31 back on September 20th, a game in which the Spartans gave up 523 yards of offense.
The defensive performance this season has not been pretty for the Spartans and Huskers quarterback Dylan Raiola is going to have a chance to have a career day against second year defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and that Spartan secondary.
Though the Spartans pulled off a miraculous double-overtime win against Boston College in early September, Golden Eagles quarterback Dylan Lonergan threw for 390 yards and four touchdowns while completing 34 of his 45 pass attempts, not a good look when you are going to have to defend a quarterback that threw for 308 yards against Michigan.
What to expect from the Spartans on Offense:
Jonathan Smith is not the play caller for this Spartans offense, that would be offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren, but it is Smith’s scheme that is used by the Spartans and it is perfect for the Big Ten Conference.
The Spartans love to run the football with their running back duo of Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis, with Frazier taking most of the carries.
The Spartans rank 72nd in the country in rushing, averaging 147.3 yards per game, with Frazier averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
In the passing game, Michigan State has to be impressed with what they’re seeing from Aidan Chiles, who has thrown for 868 yards to go along with nine touchdowns and just one interception, completing 68.6% of his passes.
Chiles has been consistent all year long and has a talented group of wide receivers to throw to.
Senior Omari Kelly leads the Spartans in receiving yards with 317 and sophomore Nick Marsh leads the team in touchdowns with three.
Key Stats and Players:
Total Offense: #80 (372.2 YPG)
Rush Offense: #72 (147.3 YPG)
Pass Offense: #76 (220.2 YPG)
RB- Makhi Frazier: 267 yards 2 TD
RB- Brandon Tullis: 128 yards 2 TD
WR- Omari Kelly: 21 rec 317 yards 1 TD
TE- Michael Masunas: 7 rec 94 yards 2 TD
What to expect from the Spartans on Defense:
It has been a rough start for defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and this Spartans defense and outside of Western Michigan, every team the Spartans have faced this season has found success in the passing game.
Boston College threw for 390 yards, Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns on just six incompletions.
As a secondary, the Spartans give up 263.5 passing yards per game, which ranks 115th in the country, for a secondary that is mostly made up of seniors.
Both the Huskers and Spartans have six sacks, which is tied for 101st in the country, a good sign for a Nebraska offensive line that allowed seven sacks against Michigan.
Junior linebacker Jordan Hall and freshman edge rusher Anelu Lafaele lead the team with two sacks each.
Key Stats and Players:
Total Defense: #94 (384 YPG)
Rush Defense: #47 (120.5 YPG)
Pass Defense: #115 (263.5 YPG)
LB- Jordan Hall: 30 TOT, 2 sacks, 1 FF
LB- Wayne Matthews III: 26 TOT, 1 INT
DB- Armorion Smith: 1 INT, 1 FF