EAST LANSING — For about three quarters of Michigan State’s game at Nebraska, its defense looked stout. “Unbreakable,” even, as tight end Jack Velling described it.

But when it broke, it broke badly. In the final quarter, the Spartans allowed 17 fourth-quarter points in a 38-27 loss. Three explosive plays put Nebraska in the driver’s seat while the offense sputtered to give it a cushion.

The performance is one part frustrating and one part motivating for Michigan State (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten), which will host UCLA for its homecoming game at noon Saturday. As much as this team — especially its defense — has yet to put together a complete performance, there’s evidence that this unit could be far better than its current form.

“We’re in the business of winning football games,” defensive coordina

See Full Page