ThotDoc's Brain Droppings on the Michigan State Game

Huskers sloppier than Spartans so stopped short and streaks snapped

Jim “ThotDoc” Childerston | Nov 5, 2023

ThotDoc's Brain Droppings on the Michigan State Game /

In this story:

On a beautiful autumn afternoon in East Lansing the Michigan State Spartans snapped a six-game losing streak on Senior day by outlasting the Nebraska Cornhuskers 20-17. It was the home team’s first victory since beating Richmond on Sept. 9, just before allegations became public which led to coach Mel Tucker’s eventual firing. The Huskers had their own streak of three wins snapped as they lost their first bid to become bowl eligible after a lapse of six seasons.

The two teams entered the game as the most turnover-prone units among Power Five teams at nineteen apiece. But Nebraska proved its ability to out-sloppify their rival by adding three more to the total to none for MSU. Nebraska has been winning games despite losing the turnover battle, but that luck ran out and even though the Spartans failed to score after receiving the gifts, it resulted in lost opportunities that left the defense on the field more than necessary.

The Huskers took over at their own 22-yard line with 2:32 to go needing just a field goal to tie the game and three plays later quarterback Heinrich Haarberg committed his third turnover of the game by fumbling the ball away. Even after a subsequent missed field goal by Michigan State gave Nebraska the ball back at their own 27-yard line with 43 ticks left, the Huskers made it to the 46-yard line before Haarberg was stripped again on what should have been ruled an incomplete pass to stop the clock. With time running out, the subsequent Hail Mary toss fell incomplete.

Even though Michigan State outplayed Nebraska in all three phases, the Huskers had a shot in the 4th quarter. The Spartans had been outscored 46-7 in the final stanza this season, but the Huskers could do no better than a 7-7 deadlock in the 4th. The Big Ten officials displayed their appalling weekly ineptitude as well. The following events all occurred in the 4th quarter; a no call on a clear facemask of Haarberg; the MSU touchdown appeared to be an incomplete pass yet the call stood; a no call on a clear pass interference against Malachi Coleman; a missed spot on a Coleman catch that should have stopped the clock with a first down on the final drive; and finally, the missed incomplete pass call resulting in a fumble and running clock on the second to last play of the game. Surprisingly, after an offsetting penalty negated a call against Bryce Benhart, Nebraska was not charged with a penalty in the game, marking the first time the Huskers were not penalized since Sept. 3, 2005, against Maine.

Michigan State defensive back Caleb Coley tackles Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock as tight end Thomas Fidone II attempts to block.

Michigan State quarterback Katin Houser throws to a receiver in the first quarter at Spartan Stadium.

Michigan State tight end Brennan Parachek runs upfield behind the back of Nebraska defensive back Quinton Newsome in the first quarter.

Michigan State tight end Jaylan Franklin runs upfield against the Cornhuskers in the first quarter.

Michigan State defensive back Brandon Lewis and defensive back Khary Crump tackle Nebraska wide receiver Joshua Fleeks in the first quarter.

Michigan State quarterback Katin Houser sprints upfield in the first quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg hands the ball to running back Emmett Johnson.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with assistants on the sideline during the first half.

Michigan State defensive lineman Maverick Hansen sacks Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg in the first quarter.

© Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan State's Jaden Mangham intercepts a deep pass inside the MSU 5 yard line during the first quarter.

Michigan State'a Ryan Eckley punts from the end zone and under pressure from Nebraska defensive lineman Blaise Gunnerson in the first quarter.

Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog almost comes down with a pass intended for Michigan State wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr. in the first quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg scores a touchdown in the second quarter.

Nebraska players celebrate their second-quarter quarter touchdown.

Mikai Gbayor sacks Michigan State quarterback Sam Leavitt during the first quarter.

Michigan State wide receiver Tyrell Henry pulls in a pass in the third quarter against Nebraska defensive back Omar Brown.

Nebraska's Joshua Fleeks carries the ball during the second quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg looks for a receiver in the third quarter.

Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock is tackled by Jaden Mangham during the first quarter.

Michigan State placekicker Jonathan Kim kicks the ball through the arms of the Nebraska defense and through the uprights in the third quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg leaps to throw to a receiver in the third quarter.

Michigan State's Khris Bogle sacks Heinrich Haarberg during the second quarter.

Nebraska wide receiver Joshua Fleeks tries to evade Michigan State defensive back Chance Rucker in the third quarter.

Michigan State wide receiver Tyrell Henry leaves Nebraska defensive backs Phalen Sanford and Tamon Lynum on the turf in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska's Heinrich Haarberg looks for a receiver as Teddy Prochazka blocks MSU's Aaron Brule during the second quarter.

Michigan State quarterback Katin Houser sprints upfield in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg is pressured by defensive lineman Simeon Barrow Jr. during the third quarter.

Michigan State defensive back Khalil Majeed bats a pass away from Nebraska wide receiver Jaidyn Doss.

Phalen Sanford's hit causes an incompletion on a pass to MSU quarterback Sam Leavitt during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska offensive lineman Bryce Benhart beats Michigan State defensive lineman Simeon Barrow Jr. and Nebraska offensive lineman Nouredin Nouili to a loose ball in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State defenders bat the ball away from Jaidyn Doss on Nebraska's final pass attempt.

Michigan State head coach Harlon Barnett celebrates the Spartans' 20-17 win on Senior Day.

The Huskers were 3-point favorites on the road and never really played like the better team, dropping their third straight game in Spartan Stadium. Michigan State played better than their record and out-schemed and out-coached the Husker staff. If Nebraska could have seized the moment and started fast, perhaps the Spartans would have laid down. But Nebraska failed to add to its 13-point first quarter output for the season and there was no quit in the home team. Rotating quarterbacks and a 42-yard toss by former Husker Alante Brown on a trick play kept the defense at bay as the Spartans had four chunk pass plays for 141 of their 232 passing yards. Their defense totaled seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss along with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

The Husker offense did manage 283 total yards, including 154 yards on the ground. But the #127 ranked passing offense remains a significant problem as Haarberg completed just 12-of-28 passes for 128 yards and the two picks. Haarberg started the game 3-for-6 for -2 yards and an interception. He had receivers running wide open throughout the game but either could not see them because his eyes were locked in elsewhere or he missed them badly. An average QB or either of MSU’s signal callers could probably have led the offense to at least 28 points. The lack of passing attack allows the defense to load the box and the running game gets shut down. It greatly limits offensive coordinator Satterfield’s options. The hope was that with seven games under his belt, Haarberg would start to show some improvement. That improvement hasn’t materialized. Despite the capacity to make big plays with his legs, Haarberg has big limitations, and his confidence appears to be taking a hit.

Thomas Fidone (3 catches for 43 yards) had a 27-yard reception in the first quarter, the second-longest of his career. Alex Bullock was targeted nine times but had only 3 grabs for 37 yards. He had a third-down drop that hurt in the first half. Malachi Coleman (2 catches for 39 yards) had a big 30-yard catch in the 4th quarter to get the Huskers out of a hole from their own six.

Emmett Johnson led the rushing attack with 57 yards on 13 carries, a 4.4-yard per carry average. He also had a 4-yard TD run late in the fourth. Haarberg finished with 37 net yards on 14 carries after losing 38 in sack yardage. He did have two very good runs when he scrambled 16 yards on a 3rd and 14 and when he took off for 44 yards to the MSU 4-yard line to set up the final score. Anthony Grant added 35 yards on 9 carries.

The defense didn’t play badly but played below its standard by being susceptible to the big-play pass. They held Michigan State to just 63 rushing yards in the game, marking the eighth time in nine games the Huskers held their opponent under 100 rushing yards. The eight games with less than 100 rushing yards ties the 2009 defense for the most games holding an opponent under that mark this century. (1999 team held nine opponents under 100 rushing yards). They also did not allow a rushing touchdown which marks four consecutive games without a ground score, the first time that has happened since the 2012 season. The Blackshirts will need to rise up again next week at home against Maryland’s passing attack.

Luke Reimer led the defense with seven tackles in the game including a ½ sack. His final tackle was the 275th of his career, as he became the seventh Husker to total 275 career tackles. Jimari Butler, Isaac Gifford, Nick Henrich and Javin Wright all had five stops. Cam Lenhardt (4 tackles) is returning to form and had a third-quarter sack. Mikai Gbayor (3 tackles) shared a first-quarter sack with Reimer, marking the first sack of his Nebraska career and James “Sackman” Williams also got a third-quarter sack. Tommi Hill (2 tackles and a PBU) had a tough game in the secondary, and it was great to see Marcus Buford on the field for the first time this year as he had a TD-saving tackle in the first quarter.

One of the major disparities Saturday was in the punt game. The MSU punter, Ryan Eckley, averaged 48.3 on 7 punts with a long of 57 yards. Brian Buschini averaged just 35.4 yards a punt and put only one of them inside the 20. In addition, Billy Kemp returned from injury to catch, but not return, punts limiting Nebraska's field position. Ethan Nation was finally allowed to return a 4th-quarter punt for 4 yards. Tristan Alvano notched his sixth field goal of the year (out of 10 attempts) with his 24-yarder at the end of the first half. The kickoff team did limit MSU’s sole return to 11 yards.

It was unlikely that the Huskers were going to run the table and win the West. The loss Saturday was disturbing but not shocking. The Huskers have three more games against beatable opponents to garner the elusive sixth win for bowl eligibility. Next week’s opponent, Maryland, lost Saturday at home to Penn State 51-15. Earlier this season, Maryland beat both Michigan State and Indiana before losing to both Illinois and Northwestern. Saturday, Indiana beat Wisconsin 20-14 and Illinois beat Minnesota 27-26. It’s all about matchups. The Husker offense should be able to run on the Maryland defense and hopefully keep their offense off the field. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Just trounce the Turtles. Go Big Red!!!

More coverage & commentary: Michigan State game page.

Tad Stryker: Growing Pains Bite Huskers Hard

Published Nov 5, 2023

JIM “THOTDOC” CHILDERSTON

Jim Childerston is a lifelong Cornhusker fan who was born and reared in Omaha, Nebraska. He is old enough to have experienced the best of times and the worst of times as a Nebraska fan. Currently living in Hagerstown, Maryland, Dr. Childerston is a clinical psychologist specializing in a broad spectrum of psychological disciplines including individual and couple therapy, as well as medical and pharmacological consulting. He is a nationally known author and a widely sought speaker who has led seminars and retreats across the United States. His username on the HuskerMax bulletin board is ThotDoc and he has been posting his “Brain Droppings” there since 2010. You can reach Dr. Childerston at jchilderston(at)gmail.com.