Michigan State's defensive standouts say strong performance isn't enough
Despite a strong defensive showing, Michigan State came up short again - Kenny Soares Jr. and Ben Roberts made it clear that individual performances mean little without a win
Michigan State finally generated the pressure it had been missing, recording four sacks and nine tackles for loss against Northwestern. But when the Spartans needed one final stop Saturday, those earlier breakthroughs offered little protection.
Northwestern’s winning drive left Michigan State with a 24–21 loss, its fifth straight defeat, and another afternoon of trying to reconcile signs of progress with a result that offered no relief.
For Ben Roberts, who supplied two of those sacks, the distinction was straightforward. Asked about his individual performance afterward, the veteran defensive lineman quickly turned the conversation back to what Michigan State had failed to accomplish.
“It does not matter, it was not good enough,” Roberts said. “We lost, so we have to be better. It starts with me and my brother right here, but we will be better, we promise you that.”
