No one expected much from Michigan State’s offense Saturday, even against a foe like Rutgers that was on a 10-game losing streak. We didn’t get much either, only just enough to pull out an ugly 14-10 in half-empty Spartan Stadium.

Here’s what I liked — and what I didn’t like — about the Spartans’ victory over Rutgers:

What I liked

1. Getting creative to score the game-winning touchdown

Michigan State wide receiver Cody White has a ton of talent, and the Spartans really needed him to hold off Rutgers on Saturday. He scored on an end around late in the fourth quarter, scampering 22 yards for the game-winning score in the 14-10 win. Michigan State’s offense struggled most of the day, so the gadget play for the win was huge.  “I think we called every play out there on the sheet,” Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said. “Some more than once, but you’ve got to execute.” Cody White did.

2. Josiah Scott’s big interception at the end

After Michigan State’s score, it looked like Rutgers was going to answer in the final minutes and pull out a win. They were driving, but sophomore Josiah Scott intercepted a pass at the 3-yard line to seal the victory for the Spartans. It was a huge play, and it was his second pick of the day. For Scott, it’s been a difficult year. He missed eight games with an injury and could have sat out Saturday to protect a potential redshirt year. He chose not to, for his teammates. “The game was way too important for us,” said Scott. “It’s better to be 7-5 than 6-6. And also, I was talking to (senior Khari Willis) during this week, and I was like, ‘If I was a senior, I would want a younger guy to do it for me. So I’m gonna do it for you.’” That’s one special teammate there.

3. In the end, a win is a win is a win

Michigan State hadn’t scored a touchdown in three weeks, so it was good to score two. Matt Sokol’s 18-yard TD reception from Rocky Lombardi with 7:04 left before halftime was the Spartans’ first touchdown in 153:56 seconds of game action. Finally. It was also good to get a win, no matter how ugly. When it’s all said and done, that’s what matters the most. Kudos to the Michigan State defense, which was once again spectacular and carried this team to victory.

What I didn’t like

1. More of the same from a struggling offense

This entire season has been a struggle on offense, so is it time for some coaching changes. Don’t expect that from Dantonio, who’s about as loyal to guys as they come. “That’s a question that’s an in-house question. When I make those decisions, I make them. I do think, you self-evaluate when you start to think about people and think about things, you always do. Every year we do. We did last year, too.  But from my perspective, it’s about more than just calling a play. It’s about the teaching progression, it’s about what’s being taught in the classroom, it’s about what’s been taught on the field, it’s about execution of that and then it’s also about how you improve, how you handle people in general and what kind of person you are.  I’ve always said loyalty goes both ways and so my inclination is to sit and hold with people. That’s who I’ve been. That’s why we’ve had continuity. Because it goes both ways. I know everybody out there is on the warpath and the wolf is at the door. That’s why I’m the head coach, so I can deflect some of that.”

2. Don’t like it, but there are legitimate reasons for decline

It’s easy to blame coaches when things go wrong, but you need to have players to make plays, too. The Spartans didn’t have that this year. Let’s be honest. This offense line was injured for much of the year. Brian Lewerke’s shoulder injury was serious, and running back LJ Scott, an all-Big Ten talent, never played a down at running back. The optimist in me says this could have been a 3-9 disaster like 2016, but it wasn’t. The Spartans won seven games, somehow and some way. We don’t have to like it, but it’s nothing to blow up either.