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MSU OC Jay Johnson explains how lack of running game impacted blowout loss to Washington
By Kate Norum
Published:
Last Saturday, Michigan State was defeated by Washington 39-28 at Husky Stadium.
The running game was one of the immediate factors that MSU offensive coordinator Jay Johnson pointed out during a press conference on Tuesday morning.
Johnson: "We pride ourselves in running the football, and we didn't do it."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 20, 2022
Another area that Johnson addressed was the “lack of complementary football” while looking at the film from Saturday’s game. Acknowledging the goal line stand from the defense and the offense settling for one play drives.
MSU offensive coordinator Jay Johnson says the film showed him "the lack of complementary football." Points to defense getting goal-line stand and offense having just one-play drives after (safety, interception).
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 20, 2022
While on the other hand, Johnson did credit Spartan quarterback Payton Thorne on his energy to keep on moving, despite the unfortunate game. Providing that Thorne’s interceptions are from his willingness to not quit and possibly overwhelmed in the pocket with “trying to do too much.”
Johnson says he thought QB Payton Thorne "played his ass off. He kept competing." Said his interceptions this season have been from "trying to do too much."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 20, 2022
This game is a good wake-up call for the Spartans football program to put more effort into its run game, as Johnson mentioned. The Huskies took advantage of the miscues from MSU and capitalized on them.
Michigan State will return to action at home in its B1G opener against Minnesota at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Kate Norum covers college football for Saturday Tradition. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a B.S. in journalism and has always been passionate about sports. Follow Kate on Twitter @katenorum