Photo: Kimberly P. Mitchell ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING, September 28, 2024 ~ Michigan State Football (3-2) turned the ball over in the red zone three times in the first half in a 38-7 blowout loss to the third ranked team in all of college football, the Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0).
Despite playing tough throughout the night, MSU could not overcome lost momentum on two fumbles and a turnover on downs in the first 30 minutes as OSU jumped out to a three possession lead at halftime.
On all of the unit’s first half drives, the Spartan offense was able to move the ball effectively through the air and on the ground. The green and white just could not pull it together when they needed to convert. Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles fell short of a yard on a QB sneak on fourth down early in the first period, and the underclassman also fumbled on a run play near the end of the half. Junior tight end Jack Velling gave up a possession as well as he got the ball stripped from him in a race to the end zone.
The Michigan State defense held impressive ground despite all of the offensive giveaways, recording a takeaway of their own by redshirt senior linebacker Jordan Turner. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jaron Glover would capitalize on the interception with a 12 yard touchdown catch and run, the first score and only of the day for Chiles and the offense.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
JARON GLOVER TOUCHDOWN❕❕❕pic.twitter.com/fQBxS6ijbt
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) September 29, 2024
(CONTINUED) “That is one of the best teams in the country,” head coach Jonathan Smith told WJR Correspondent Nick Lundberg after the game. “I am just trying to encourage our guys to go toe-to-toe if we can fix some things with ball security and getting off the field on third down.”
More of the same was in store for the second half of play. Ohio State scored on their first offensive possession of the second half and then followed up with another touchdown to blow the game completely open after Chiles lobbed his only interception of the game to a Buckeye corner back.
The Spartans will hit the road next week for another ranked test, this time against the No. 8 Oregon Ducks on Friday night.
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