Michigan State entered Saturday’s road game at UCLA with a 2-5 record but arrived at the Rose Bowl full of optimism.
“We came in here expecting to beat the No. 9 in the country,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said after the game. “There was full confidence that we were going to do that, and I thought the way we started the game showed that.”
The Spartans scored first and had a chance to take a 14-7 lead late in the second quarter. But the offense sputtered, the defense wore down, and the Bruins pulled away for a 28-10 victory.
“I thought the plan was being operated and executed pretty well,” Fitzgerald said. “Then, you know, obviously, as the game went along, we just gave up too many big plays, turned the ball over at an inopportune time, and then gave up a big explosive touchdown to start the second half.
“So (I am) really disappointed in the outcome,” he continued. “I thought we had a good plan coming in, and (we) just didn't coach the guys well enough to execute for four quarters. So, congratulations to UCLA.”
The conversation soon turned to a problem that has defined much of Michigan State’s season: injuries.
The Spartans were already relying on their third- and fourth-string quarterbacks and running backs. On Saturday, even previously healthy position groups suffered losses.
Late in the game, safety Devin Vaught was injured making a potentially touchdown-saving tackle near midfield. Fitzgerald did not elaborate on Vaught’s status but said the injury made him feel sick to his stomach.
Perhaps the biggest loss was star defensive tackle Ben Roberts, who was injured on Michigan State’s first defensive snap. Roberts later appeared on the sideline with crutches and a large brace on his leg.
“He's been playing at an All-Big Ten level,” Fitzgerald said. “When you lose an All-Big Ten level player, you know, obviously that's a challenge. But then it's an opportunity for other guys to step up.”
Roberts’ leadership makes his absence especially costly. Fitzgerald believes Roberts, known to his teammates as “Worm,” can still provide that leadership from the sideline.
“Knowing Worm the way I know him, he’ll step up for his teammates, regardless if he’s in or not,” Fitzgerald said. “He’ll be one of the best teammates these guys have ever seen. He is that way. That’s why he came out and was out there trying to get the guys going and pumped up ... I think he’ll step up and be who he is.”
The mounting injuries have taken a toll on Roberts’ teammates. Fifth-year senior safety Nikai Martinez said seeing Roberts go down was particularly emotional. The two visited Michigan State together and committed on the same day.
Still, Martinez said he and his teammates have found ways to stay positive.
“Since January, we’ve always had a next-man-up mentality, and the young guys and even the guys who are up next, there’s no doubt,” Martinez said. “There’s no, like, ‘Dang, what are we going to do?’ It’s always like, ‘I have complete trust.’
“We can’t just dwell,” he continued. “We still have a game to play. We still have to pray and hope everybody gets healthy and is able to get over their personal battles. I’m coming off multiple injuries last year, so I know the pain. I know how it feels. My job is just to be around them and just try to keep them uplifted.”
How do you compete when injuries are shrinking both the roster and the playbook? Subscribe to Spartans Illustrated for more from Pat Fitzgerald and Kenny Soares Jr. on the challenge, the bye-week priorities, and why Fitzgerald might need a little luck.
