MSU Football: Video analysis of MSU’s 23-19 loss to Boston College
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and MSU sportswriter Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press analyze the Spartans’ 23-19 loss at Boston College.
CHESTNUT HILL, Massachusetts – Free Press sportswriter Chris Solari rates Michigan State football players on a scale of A to F following the Spartans’ 23-19 loss at Boston College on Saturday night.
Attack: C
Aidan Chiles’ talent can be as breathtaking as his mistakes can be head-spinning. The second-year quarterback looked as elusive as advertised, but also as inexperienced as can be, throwing three more interceptions, the worst on the first official play of the third quarter when MSU had a special teams turnover on the second-half kickoff. Chiles, who has seven interceptions this season, jumped Montorie Foster Jr. several times but also reached the senior four times for 87 yards. Foster was the only receiver in the starting lineup, limiting Chiles’ options, but he used tight end Jack Velling frequently, particularly on the late-game rush before his final interception sealed the loss. Chiles also threw behind Velling on his interception early in the second half. MSU’s running game continued to struggle, with Chiles avoiding pressure and being the most productive option until Kay’ron Lynch-Adams got going in the fourth quarter. The offensive line was also affected by injuries to the right guard. Brandon Baldwin struggled to transition from left tackle to the interior, but Chiles was forced to dodge pressure from all directions all night.
GRAHAM COUCH: Michigan State Football should have beaten Boston College. That should hurt a little
Defense: B-Minus
Boston College’s final touchdown has to be left out, largely because defensive backs Malik Spencer and Angelo Grose took a hit after briefly leaving the field with injuries. The Spartans dominated the Eagles and largely neutralized Thomas Castellanos, holding the speedy QB to just 15 rushing yards on 15 attempts and under 100 passing yards until the final 42-yard touchdown pushed him to 140 yards on 10 of 16 passing. It was a team defensive effort, as MSU sacked him four times and maintained gap integrity to prevent big runs by Castellanos, while BC managed just 292 yards on offense — 6 fewer than the Eagles managed last week against No. 8 Missouri. The Spartans settled down for the final three quarters after allowing six 10-yard carries to start, despite Turbo Richard’s 36-yard touchdown run after Lynch-Adams’ fumble on the kickoff return and Chiles’ interception early in the second half.
Special teams: C-plus
Lynch-Adams’ fumble quickly changed the game after halftime, and his decision not to attempt a touchback on that kickoff was equally puzzling. It undermined the outstanding performances of kicker Jonathan Kim and punter Ryan Eckley, especially in heavy rain and wind. Kim made all four of his field goals, including one from 51 and one from 41 yards. Eckley was a solid holder on those kicks (kudos to long snapper Kaden Schickel), completing two punts of 50 and 48 yards, one from his own end zone.
Coaching: C+
Four hours before kickoff, no one would have expected MSU to even be in this game, especially when it was announced that wideouts Nick Marsh, Jaron Glover and Antonio Gates Jr. were out for the game, along with receiver Alante Brown. Joe Rossi’s defensive decisions remained strong, particularly on a fourth-quarter goal-line stand with the score tied. Offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren can’t throw the passes for Chiles, but the Spartans’ 368 yards could have been a lot more. He had plenty of open opportunities in the passing game that went unexecuted while continuing to look for ways to prevent Nate Carter from being hit on handoffs three yards deep in the backfield. And to his credit, head coach Jonathan Smith was able to get his team back to playing physical and resilient in a contested game against another tough opponent, even in his first loss as MSU coach. That doesn’t ease the pain of knowing we’re less than 2 minutes away from being 4-0 ahead of No. 3 Ohio State’s visit next week.
Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him @chrissolari.
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