For 59 minutes Friday night, Utah State looked like the team to beat in East Lansing, Michigan, versus No. 11 Michigan State. Instead, a late Sparty TD and a costly Utah State interception turned the tides, but Aggie fans should be cautiously optimistic moving forward.

3 things from the past: USU vs. Michigan State

1. Who is Keith Patterson?

The new defensive coordinator was quick to showcase his defensive intensity and aggression as he and his boys weren’t fazed by the name or size of Michigan State. By the end of the game, MSU put up 165 yards rushing, but it took 42 carries and a lot of pep to get there. What stood out the most were the first-half goal-line stands that established USU’s control. Specifically, Patterson’s game plan brought blitzes from the edge on third-down plays that resulted in sacks, forcing MSU into field goals. The USU defense also forced and recovered a strip-sack fumble and turned an interception into a TD. In short, Patterson and the D looked good.

2. Who anchored the defense on the field?

No. 9 David Woodward, a sophomore from Olympia, Washington, was another individual who stood out on the defensive side of the ball. He weighed 195 pounds out of high school, but he is now 233 with definition and muscle. It translated to the field where he led the defense with 16 tackles and two quarterback hurries. He was swarming like bees to a hive all night.