Eric Lacy

Spartans secondary better look out during bowl season

East Lansing

Michigan State's shaky secondary could get quite a challenge when its bowl destination and opponent are named in two weeks.

Four of the six Big 12 teams that appear in contention for the Alamo or Insight bowls, the Spartans' likely postseason options, have pass offenses ranked among the nation's Top 25.

Texas Tech (No. 2), Oklahoma (No. 15), Missouri (No. 16) and Texas A&M (No. 24) all can be dangerous in the air, averaging anywhere between 283 and 390 yards per game.

After Saturday's 42-14 loss to Penn State, it's hard to tell if the secondary can overcome its underachieving ways and finally put together a sound outing.

"We just didn't get it done defensively," coordinator Pat Narduzzi said after the loss. "We didn't get off the field. They made plays and we didn't."

Narduzzi gave similar responses to the media after MSU's other five losses, but will have to generate more concrete answers internally to get things in order.

There were plenty of second-half breakdowns Saturday after a 7-7 score at halftime.

Nobody could stop Daryll Clark's 310-yard, four touchdown rampage that including three touchdown passes in a 28-point third quarter that sent fans to the exits.

Even when the secondary worked with decent field position, Clark still put up video-game-like numbers against coverage that tackled poorly and looked lost.

Lost field position

It didn't help MSU to have the Big Ten's top-rated pass offense wilt under pressure after two Kirk Cousins interceptions gave the ball back for scores.

Cousins takes the blame for those mistakes and admits he tried to make plays that simply weren't there.

His worst game of the year ended with 16-of-28 passing for 155 yards and a touchdown.

"I made poor decisions on both (throws)," Cousins said. "I can't do that, it cost the football team."

The Nittany Lions started only four of their eight second-half drives in their own territory during their 35-point barrage.

Based on this beat-down, it's hard to tell which team from the Big 12 would better suit the Spartans in a potential Alamo or Insight bowl matchup.

7-6 or 6-7?

If MSU doesn't get itself together, the program could finish with its first losing season since John L. Smith ended his tenure with a 4-8 mark in 2006.

A short holiday break will do the Spartans some good, coach Mark Dantonio said.

"The healing will begin (Sunday)," Dantonio said. "That's what you have to do."

The Spartans' last bowl victory came eight years ago against Fresno State (44-35, Silicon Valley Football Classic).

Dantonio believes the consolation prize for a 6-6 regular season still can pay valuable dividends for the future, especially since it gives his team 15 additional practices.

Extra time gives 51 underclassmen on the roster a better feel for what it takes to overcome this setback and build for 2010.

"I'm not going to blame this loss on talent," Dantonio said. "We have enough talent."

Spartans awards

MVP-- senior kicker Brett Swenson (first kicker to earn award)

Most inspirational -- QB Kirk Cousins, DE Trevor Anderson

Outstanding offensive senior -- WR Blair White

Outstanding defensive senior -- Trevor Anderson

Scholar-athlete -- Blair White (3.89 grade point, human biology)

Most improved -- DE Colin Neely

Player of year, scout offense -- quarterback Andrew Maxwell

Player of year, scout defense -- CB Dana Dixon

Iron Man award -- FB Andrew Hawken

Sportsmanship -- S Danny Fortener

elacy@detnews.com