Reasons for and against successful 2019 season for Michigan State football
By Ryan Kay
Reason against success: Fear of Injuries, unproven offense
Overall, the Spartans had 19 returning starters coming back after a 10-win season in 2017. Their starting quarterback, running back and a plethora of other offensive players were back for the 2018 season and expectations were high.
The major problems started with lack of production and injuries to starting quarterback Brian Lewerke and starting tailback LJ Scott. More injuries started piling up on the offensive line and the receiving corps started off with having minor injuries to major ones with Cody White breaking his left hand and then Felton Davis III suffering a season-ending injury in October.
The Spartans also had five different punters during the season with their starter Jake Hartbarger breaking his leg in the second game of the season.
According to a report by the Detroit Free Press, the injury totals by position were 16 total games for the offensive line between five players and the wide receivers had the most missed games and total number of players out due to injury with them collectively missing 23 games between eight players. Also included in the report showed Lewerke missing three games and Scott also played in only five games.
The offense not only has to be more productive in 2019 but they also have to stay relatively healthy.
Michigan State returns many starters and backups on the offensive line as well as Lewerke. The receiving corps bring back starters in White and Darrell Stewart Jr. as well as young talent in Jalen Nailor, Laress Nelson, CJ Hayes and Cam Chambers. However, there are some big question marks on offense.
The Spartans need to find a starting running back who is productive and who can rush for over 1,000 yards. The past two seasons have not seen a consistent running back for the Spartans and they have not had one rush for over 1,000 yards since 2014. Michigan State does bring back Connor Heyward and La’Darius Jefferson from last season and there is hope true freshman Anthony Williams Jr. can contribute but there are no guarantees.
To a lesser extent, the Spartans must find production at the tight end position. Matt Dotson comes back but there are no guarantees that he will have a high volume of catches and yards after collectively the tight end position was underwhelming last season.
Overall, Michigan State brings back a lot on offense with many experienced starters and backups. However, they must prove that they can put more points on the board than last year and stay healthy. The two major worries are at the running back and tight end positions. The quarterback and offensive line should be better but they have to stay healthy and be more consistent.
The only position with little worries is the wide receivers who should be the strongest unit on offense. Time will tell if the Spartan offense can be productive and stay healthy.