What Mark Dantonio said after Michigan State's loss to Northwestern
No. 20 Michigan State has had a bit of an up-and-down 2018 season to this point.
Expectations were high for the Spartans going into the season because of the team’s turnaround from two years ago to last year, going from 3 wins to 10. Many starters returned, so fans were excited for the season ahead.
Then, following a 7-point win over Utah State, Michigan State lost to Arizona State, going to 1-1 overall. The Spartans had won two straight games since then, but on Saturday against Northwestern, their winning streak came to a close.
The Wildcats won the game 29-19, dropping the Spartans to 1-1 in B1G play. Despite Northwestern amassing just 8 rushing yards the entire game, QB Clayton Thorson did his part, completing 31-of-47 passes for 373 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT.
After the game, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio spoke with the media. Below are some of his quotes:
Dantonio: "Too many missed opportunities" with third-down defense and red-zone offense.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 6, 2018
Dantonio on whether to pull Lewerke: "I didn't think the situation warranted that. He's obviously got to play better. It's a team game."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 6, 2018
Dantonio on offense: "This is a team game. He's proven he can make plays for us. Our inability to run the football reads into this. It's disappointing."
— Kara Keating (@kara_keating26) October 6, 2018
Dantonio on if there are answers on offense, says throwing for yards. "It's not in the yards, it's in the points behind it." Need TDs in deep.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 6, 2018
Dantonio: "Some of this is Northwestern playing well. This is not easy. Our schedule is not easy and it's not easy to win in this conference."
— Kara Keating (@kara_keating26) October 6, 2018
Dantonio: We will find the answers, I feel confident in that. We will right the ship…The main thing is we stay focused, stay together and don't get pulled apart.
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) October 6, 2018
Dantonio won't blame injuries. "We still had opportunities to win the game."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 6, 2018