Takeaways, No. 6 Oregon's observations from the lopsided loss to Michigan State

Michigan State's three-game winning streak to start the season is a distant memory.

The Spartans are now riding a three-game skid heading into a bye week midway through the schedule.

Michigan State (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) lost 31-10 to No. 6 Oregon (5-0, 2-0) on Friday night for its third straight loss. It was the second straight blowout for the Spartans against a top-10 team after last week's 38-7 home loss to Ohio State.

Here are the quick takeaways and observations from the loss:

* A key challenge for first-year coach Jonathan Smith is getting the Spartans competitive again against the top competition on the schedule. So far, that hasn't happened.

Michigan State measured up in the first half against Ohio State but a redzone turnover prevented a close game going into halftime and the Buckeyes dominated the final 30 minutes. Oregon's loss was closer on the scoreboard thanks to a pair of late scores but a step back overall for the Spartans. Even with garbage time stat padding, the Ducks finished with clear advantages in rushing yards (213-59), total offense (477-250) and first downs (25-16).

The Ducks won decisively at the point of attack on both sides of the ball. Oregon's Jordan James posted a career-high 166 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries while failing to reach 60 yards on the ground for Michigan State's second straight outing.

On the other side of the ball, quarterback Aidan Chiles was under constant pressure after being sacked four times before exiting the game in a blowout fourth quarter.

* Before the game went completely out of reach, Michigan State put together a drive of significance, and it was its first. A 44-yard completion from Chiles to Nick Marsh moved the Spartans to the 2 on fourth-and-2. On the next play, Chiles was unable to secure the ball in traffic and his fumble was recovered for a touchback.

It was the latest example of Michigan State's red zone struggles after finishing 1 for 4 in the first half against the Buckeyes, including a Chiles fumble on a missed facemask call. The sophomore didn't get much help and was forced to get out of his mouth trouble with regular ducks. He was 10-for-17 passing for 154 yards and led the team with 50 yards when sacks were removed.

* The makeshift offensive line suffered its worst performance of the season. Left tackle Stanton Ramil returned to the starting lineup after sitting out against Ohio State but the Spartans were outmatched. Besides giving up a season-high five sacks, there was almost no movement in the run game. Ke'Ron Lynch Adams led the Spartans with 32 yards on nine carries and a 1-yard score late while starter Nathan Carter had just 11 yards on five attempts.

There were no in-game tweaks for Michigan State's offensive line personnel, though true freshman Rakeem Johnson earned the starting snap at left tackle a week after making his first career start. He played at right tackle in the fourth quarter alongside backup right guard Dallas Fincher.

* Michigan State remains short at receiver due to injuries but Marsh looked healthy after missing a limited game last week. True freshman and fifth-year senior Monterey Foster combined for six catches for 115 yards, and Jack Welling had six catches for 53 yards.

* There were early positives for the Spartans on defense, including a three-and-out to start the game and a red zone interception by safety Malik Spencer and cornerback Charles Brantley. A week after dropping an interception in the end zone, Spencer came up with a diving grab to pick off Dillon Gabriel in the end zone in the first quarter. Brantley jumped on a route in the second quarter and intercepted the ball at the 1 for his third pick of the season.

Those deep stops kept the game from getting out of hand before the Ducks hit the ground for the Spartans. Gabriel finished 20-for-32 for 257 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and ran for a score. Tej Johnson had 10 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown to lead Oregon.

Michigan State rotated heavily in the front seven even though linebacker Jordan Hall did not play after being listed as questionable going into the game. Brantley and Ed Woods remain the go-to duo at cornerback while Armorion Smith and true freshman Justin Denson log more backup snaps at safety.

* Oregon entered the game with a kickoff return touchdown and punt return score but special teams wasn't a big factor. Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley had another outstanding performance while averaging 44.3 yards on six attempts with two of at least 50 yards and one inside the 20. Jonathan Kim made a 42-yard field goal in the waning seconds to go up by 9. 9 this season.

* After six games in six weeks, Michigan State goes into the first of two byes and must regroup from a three-game skid with a tough road ahead. The Spartans host Iowa on Oct. 19 before three straight games against top-25 teams — at No. 10 Michigan, No. 23 Indiana and No. 24 Illinois. A bowl game remains possible but the margin for error is very thin.

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