Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from win over Wake Forest

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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Jamie Newman #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons throws past defensive end Jacub Panasiuk #96 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

2. Wake Forest couldn’t move the ball late

Early on, Michigan State’s defense was late to the game. The Spartans and the Demon Deacons swapped scores and this one looked like a shootout. Michigan State went into the locker room down one point, 21-20, and the Demon Deacons would not score again. The Spartans making sure they went into the locker room not giving up any points before the half was huge.

Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman had a 9-yard run to get the Deacons to the 40 late in the second quarter, but couldn’t capitalize.

The Michigan State Spartans took advantage of their advantages. They bowed up and really took it to the Wake Forest offensive line.

Their biggest advantage was Sage Surratt and Scotty Washington not playing at receiver for the Deacons. They did a good job at not giving Wake’s other receivers little room to breathe. Not only that, Newman struggled all game long. In the second half, however, Newman began to get smothered by the Spartan pass rush. He couldn’t find anyone open down field, and — without a running back to hand the ball off to — Michigan State keyed in on him when they ran read option plays. Newman couldn’t find the handle of the pass game, and couldn’t score.

Even though Matt Coghlin missed the field goal that would have given the Spartans a two-score lead, you didn’t feel like the Deacons could take advantage and score.

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