Jonathan Smith has a lot to correct at Michigan State football for 2024 season

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What we learned from Michigan State football’s season after Friday’s 42-0 loss to No. 11 Penn State at Ford Field, and looking ahead to the Spartans’ 2024 season under new coach Jonathan Smith:

Chris Solari’s three things we learned

So far away: The official end to the Mel Tucker era came with MSU’s third shutout loss since 2020 and its second of the season. In games this fall against No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Washington, No. 6 Ohio State and No. 10 Penn State, the Spartans were outscored 170-10 and outgained, 2,306-693. The 53 offensive yards in Friday’s finale were the worst output in program history, the minus-35 rushing yards (sacks included) were the second-lowest total and the five first downs were the fourth-fewest. The defense gave up 586 total yards, the second-most this season behind the school-worst 713 allowed earlier this season against the Huskies.

Penn State running back Kaytron Allen breaks a tackle by Michigan State safety Aaron Brule in the fourth quarter of MSU’s 42-0 loss on Friday, Nov. 23, 2023, at Ford Field.

Home again: MSU’s 15.9 points per game this season was its worst average since 1991 and ranks 129th out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Their 89.5 rushing yards per game were a program-low, and their 289.3 yards of total offense was the worst in 32 years – the Spartans rank 125th in both categories. For the third time in the four seasons of the Tucker era, MSU did not earn a bowl berth. That comes after coach Mark Dantonio went to the postseason 12 times in 13 seasons (including wins in the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl and a trip to the 2015 College Football Playoff).

Time for change: All of that led to Saturday’s hiring of Jonathan Smith as MSU’s 26th head coach. The 44-year-old was born in the metaphorical shadow of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The former Beavers…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jonathan-smith-lot-correct-michigan-011621261.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2023-11-27 01:16:21

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