Despite slow start, MSU is still poised for an excellent season

There was 5:05 left in the fourth quarter, Utah State takes a 31-30 lead and puts MSU in a win or go-home situation on the final drive.

Then we witnessed the beautiful catch by Felton Davis to move the chains and with 2:06 left, Lewerke’s shovel pass to Connor Heyward is a touchdown and the go-ahead lead.

Now, 31 points surrendered to Utah State is an incredibly scary thought and a start like that heading into a night game on the road is...unsettling.

But, this is what MSU has always seemed to do. This should be no surprise for Michigan State fans to see a close game down the wire, only to have coach Mark Dantonio find a way to claw out the W. The win was a bit too close for comfort, as MSU came into this game as a 23.5/24 point favorite.

Now is not the time to sit and criticize the team for having a slow start, now is the time to remember the potential that this team has and that the rust from game one will be removed.

Mark Dantonio has teams that get better as the season goes on, the performance last Friday was the bottom of the barrel for the performances that are yet to come.

The defense will put more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and the cornerbacks will lock down the short passes that we saw Utah State convert time and time again.

The offense was electric, compiling a total of 452 yards of offense and scoring 38 points. Brian Lewerke showed the ability to move the ball up and down the field time and time again, connecting with Felton Davis and Cody White for their first touchdowns of the season.

One of the bigger surprises of the game came from two touchdowns out of the backfield not from LJ Scott, but rather Connor Heyward. LJ Scott’s 3.7 yards per carry in the opening game was questionable. But, Scott is still going to have a great season even with the underwhelming performance.

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The combination of Heyward and Scott will be a lethal one two punch out of the backfield and will compliment the arial attack we saw a glimpse of in week one.

Now with all of this being said, a statement win at Arizona State on Saturday night is absolutely imperative for the Spartans to get back on track. Set the tone, win the game by a big margin and get the job done.

Spartan fans should not panic in the slightest, it was a slow start but will not determine the fate of the 2018 MSU team.