Michigan State's Season Takes a Hit: Injuries and Turnovers Doom Spartans Against Nebraska

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State's football team saw its momentum, health, and hopes for a competitive Big Ten season evaporate in Saturday's 31-13 loss to Nebraska. The Spartans entered the game riding high after a strong showing against Notre Dame, but injuries to key playmakers and a defense that cannot force turnovers have left the team in serious trouble.

The most devastating blow came early. Running back Cam Edwards, the Spartans' best offensive weapon and the gem of their transfer portal class, left the game in the first quarter with a right knee injury after a 23-yard screen pass. He was carted out of the injury tent and returned to the sideline on crutches. Head coach Jonathan Smith and his staff now face the grim reality that Edwards may not play again this season.

Without Edwards, Michigan State's offense loses its most reliable source of juice in the backfield. Iowa transfer Jaziun Patterson filled in admirably with some strong runs, and the offensive line grew into the game as a run-blocking unit. But Edwards was the difference-maker, and his absence is a blow this team may not be able to absorb.

What happened to Michigan State's defense against Nebraska?

The Spartans' secondary was decimated. Michigan State entered the game already down one top cornerback in Tyran Chappell. Then Tre Bell went down during warmups, and NiJhay Burt left during the game. Jordan Hall, another key corner, was lost in the third quarter to what looked like an ankle injury and was taken to the locker room.

Charles Brantley, a cornerback who has struggled at times this season, stepped up with his best performance in years. He forced a fumble that went out of bounds and broke up a crucial third-down pass. His effort was a bright spot, but it wasn't enough to stop Nebraska's offense.

The defense did show grit, including a fourth-down stop when the game was still in doubt. But grit only goes so far when the offense is turning the ball over and the defense cannot create takeaways.

Can Michigan State protect quarterback Alessio Milivojevic?

Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic's stat line — 18-for-26, 208 yards, one interception, no touchdowns — looks respectable, but the numbers hide the beating he took. Nebraska sacked him six times, and he rarely had a clean pocket to throw from. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan had no choice but to speed up the offense to get the ball out quicker.

Some of the sacks were on Milivojevic, but the offensive line failed him far too often. This is a group that is beat up itself, and while they showed growth in run blocking, their pass protection was a disaster. If the Spartans cannot fix this, they will not win another game this season.

Why turnovers are killing Michigan State's season

The Spartans' defense has not forced a turnover since Chuck Brantley's forced fumble against Eastern Michigan. That is a staggering drought. Against Nebraska, the offense coughed up two more turnovers, following a 2-0 turnover deficit against Notre Dame the week before.

Michigan State is not talented enough to win games while losing the turnover battle. The defensive front is the one area where the Spartans have an advantage, and it has shown up the last two weeks. But if that is the only edge they have, they need to start knocking the ball loose.

There is still a lot of football left to play, and there are winnable games on the schedule. But after Saturday's performance, it is hard to imagine this team, depleted and turnover-prone, finding a way to win them.

This article was adapted from a report by Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal.