Michigan State defense stifles Indiana before offense wakes up late

EAST LANSING - Following back-to-back road wins in the rain, Michigan State returned home to Spartan Stadium and favorable conditions.

It was 75 degrees and sunny in East Lansing at kickoff, meaning there were no concerns about a wet ball or restricting the play calling in a downpour.

Yet, 3 1/2 quarters into the game, the Spartans were on pace for their worst offensive performance of the season. No worries - the defense did its part to keep Michigan State in the game before the offense woke up late in a 17-9 win against Indiana on Saturday.

"As long as you're playing well on defense," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said, "you're never really out of a football game."

That was the case on Saturday as Michigan State's defense once again made a statement. The No. 18 Spartans (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) allowed a season-low point total to Indiana (3-4, 0-4) and held an opponent to 10 or fewer points for the fourth time in six games.

"We just kind of want that Spartan dawg defense back and earlier today we kept saying 'apex predator,'" Michigan State sophomore defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk said, "and that's kind of how we played tonight."

After allowing three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of last week's 30-27 win at Minnesota, Michigan State prevented its opponent from scoring a touchdown for the first time since a 49-0 win against Rutgers on Nov. 12 last year. The Hoosiers were limited to a trio of field goals from Griffin Oakes before the Spartans scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes.

"We expect our offense to score points and when they're not, we take it upon ourselves to step up and play our game and do what we have to do to win the game," Michigan State senior linebacker Chris Frey said. "I think the way that our defense was playing, getting the stops, that gave our offense confidence late in the game. They stepped their game up and they won the game for us in the end putting points on the board."

Michigan State entered the game ranked No. 8 in the nation in rushing defense at 93.3 yards per game and limited Indiana to 2.7 yards per carry with 35 rushes for 95 yards. That marked the third time in the last four games and fourth time this season the Spartans held their opponent to fewer than 100 yards on the ground. Michigan State accomplished that feat just three times all of last season while finishing 3-9.

"I thought our defense continued to just do their job, do their job," Dantonio said. "They started doing it with even more excitement as the game got near the end."

Indiana runs an up-tempo offense that challenged Michigan State to make calls and substitutions quickly. However, the Spartans didn't seem too bothered by the pace.

"It's difficult, but it's something that we train for all week," Frey said. "During practice, we have what we call Baylor tempo in every single team period. ... We practice that the whole year and we practice it during camp and it's paying off for us because guys are staying fresh until the third and fourth quarter."

On Michigan State's third possession of the game, redshirt junior running back Madre London committed his first fumble of the season - the team's ninth this year - and Indiana took over at the Spartans' 15-yard line. Three plays later, the Hoosiers were still at the 15-yard line and settled for a 33-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

"They have a belief right now that they're tough to score on," Dantonio said. "It was huge play after the fumble holding them to three, and that's not the first time that we've done that."

That was the first of two red zone trips for Indiana on Saturday. With a 6-3 lead in the fourth quarter, the Hoosiers put together a 12-play, 63-yard drive, but it stalled at the Michigan State 2-yard line after three consecutive run plays and led to a 20-yard field goal as the Spartans stayed within one score.

"We say if they get in the red zone, make them attempt field goals," Michigan State defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett said.

Michigan State took its first lead of the game on a 10-yard touchdown pass to Felton Davis with 5:59 left in the fourth quarter and then forced an Indiana three-and-out before LJ Scott's 18-yard touchdown run capped the scoring. The Hoosiers got the ball back with 1:49 left on the clock and one timeout but managed just 13 yards in six plays before turning it over on downs.

"They're stingy, they're a stingy defense," Davis said. "At Michigan State, we pride ourselves on having a stingy defense that doesn't give up too much stuff and they played awesome."

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