Free Press sports writer Chris Solari rates Michigan State football on a scale of A to F after the Spartans’ 41-14 loss Saturday to Rutgers.

In coach Jonathan Smith’s first season, Michigan State started 3-0 but dropped seven of the final nine to limp into the offseason. This is the third straight year the program will finish with a losing record and miss a bowl game.

A defense, gutted by injuries and adding a few more, unable to overcome long drives. Special teams mistakes and ill-timed penalties compounding the misery along the way. In the end, it spelled the end of the Spartans’ season.

Graham Couch gives his thoughts on MSU's performance on the field – and in the stands – during a season-ending loss to Rutgers with three quick takes.

Extra motivation? Rutgers needed none of it Saturday. The Scarlet Knights spent one day to put rehash what went wrong against Illinois. They said they moved on and proved it early, dismantling Michigan State for a 41-14 win that was never in jeopardy.

Year one of the Jonathan Smith era in East Lansing came to an end a little earlier than Michigan State’s football team was hoping for. The Spartans entered the final week of the regular season needing a win over Rutgers to clinch a berth in a bowl game of the

Rutgers football rode a dominant defensive performance and another big game from Kyle Monangai to a blowout win over Michigan State.

The injury to Thompson is the latest blow to Michigan State’s injury-riddled secondary that played three true freshmen last week. He had three tackles before exiting the game with Rutgers leading 17-7 late in the first half. The Spartans (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) need to win the regular-season finale to become bowl eligible.

Michigan State was dominated by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 41-14 in a wintry regular-season finale for both teams.

Michigan State football was playing for a bowl game on Saturday, with an attempt to extend their season. What fans got was an uninspiring performance, and the Spartans got absolutely dominated by Rutgers,