GRAHAM COUCH

Couch: R.J. Shelton's emergence saves MSU's season

Two incredible catches by the Spartans' junior receiver are likely the difference between 7-0 and 5-2

Graham Couch
Lansing State Journal
  • Indiana at No. 7 MSU
  • When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Spartan Stadium
  • TV/Radio: ABC (ESPN2 in some markets) / WJIM 1240-AM and WMMQ 94.9-FM
MSU's R.J. Shelton picks up a first down against Purdue on Oct. 3. The next two weeks, he perhaps saved MSU's football season. His 29-yard catch on third-and-9 late in a tie game against Rutgers might have kept MSU from defeat. And Saturday, his 27-yard, toe-dragging third-quarter catch along the sideline set up an MSU touchdown to cut a 10-point deficit to 17-14.

EAST LANSING — Lost amid all the justifiable fuss over a flubbed punt and a broken hip is another remarkable reason Michigan State’s football team remains unbeaten.

The sudden emergence of a soft-spoken, 5-foot-11 junior as a bona fide big-time target in MSU’s passing game.

If R.J. Shelton hadn’t come down with two difficult catches the last two weeks — one each at Rutgers and Michigan — the Spartans would probably be staring at a 5-2 record.

In that alternative world, Jim Harbaugh is on the presidential primary ballot in Michigan, the Spartans are making preliminary TaxSlayer Bowl arrangements in Jacksonville and that cute sophomore who sits two rows in front Jalen Watts-Jackson in his economics class, well, she just knows him as “some guy who plays football.”

Shelton has improved a lot of lives around these parts the last two weeks.

The Spartans had already found their go-to receiver in Aaron Burbridge. They don’t win their last two games without him, either. Or without quarterback Connor Cook. Or several other players.

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But Shelton’s performances weren’t as expected. Or expected to be needed.

Until recently, he’s been a jack of all trades and master of none at MSU. Valued most for his versatility. He arrived in 2013 from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, as a running back, moving to receiver out of necessity during his first fall camp. He played as a true freshman because he had good speed, a sturdy frame and unwavering confidence at a position MSU had little confidence in. He’s been MSU’s kick returner for three years and recently began returning punts, much to the chagrin of his mother.

“I just want to throw up now that he’s at punt returner,” his mother, Erin Broome, said.

“He will go anywhere the coaches ask him to go. He’ll go on defense. He has a quiet confidence that he can play anywhere on that field.”

MSU coach Mark Dantonio hinted last January that Shelton might play on both sides of the ball this season, after he helped out at cornerback during the Cotton Bowl.

That idea is dead now. Shelton’s value to the offense is too great. The Spartans instead are pulling redshirts off of freshman defensive backs. For the first time in his career, Shelton is as likely to catch a pass downfield as he is to run behind the line of scrimmage and take a hand-off from Cook. Shelton has run that jet sweep play more than 50 times at MSU.

“He’s ecstatic when he gets the rock (downfield),” Broome said. “Because he is so sick of running that jet sweep. He hopes it works, but he’s like, ‘My grandma knows it’s coming.’”

R.J. Shelton's 29-yard catch on third-and-9 late in a tie game against Rutgers might have kept MSU from defeat.

As he surveyed the defense, Shelton knew he was getting the ball on that critical down at Rutgers. And downfield, too. MSU needed 9 yards to avoid a punt late in a 24-24 game. Otherwise, the Spartans would give the ball back to an offense they were struggling to stop.

“As soon as I got a clean release and I came off (the line of scrimmage), I’m like, ‘I know this ball is going to be in the air,’” Shelton said. “I just went up and got it before (the defender) reacted to it, and obviously that kept the drive alive and our season alive, too.”

It was the opportunity he’d been waiting on.

Shelton pounded his chest. His mother, so thrilled to see her son show such emotion, pounded hers from the stands, breaking her new iPhone.

A week later, Shelton made a more challenging catch, albeit under less immediate pressure, dragging his back toe centimeters ahead of the sideline. It was too precise for the human eye and took replay to overturn the incompletion.

That 27-yard grab set up a third-quarter touchdown that cut Michigan’s lead to 17-14. It wasn’t third down or MSU’s last chance. But if he doesn’t make the play, it’s at least 17-7 a while longer and who knows?

Michigan State receiver R.J. Shelton catches a Connor Cook pass on the sidelines during the third quarter of the Spartans' 27-23 victory over Michigan Saturday. The play was originally rule incomplete because he foot was close to being out of bounds, but that ruling was overturned after a review. The 27-yard, toe-dragging grab along the sideline set up an MSU touchdown to cut a 10-point deficit to 17-14.

Shelton insists he could have made these plays a year ago. If he could, he didn’t. But that’s among his strengths — a belief in himself, a desire to be in the arena in the big moments.

Now he also has the physical technique to back up his mental fortitude.

“It’s all come to a head, and he’s just really feeling good and can express the route and take advantage of the defender,” MSU receivers coach Terrence Samuel said. “It’s fun. It really is fun to watch a guy grow up like that.”

It’s also a product of the company he keeps. Notably Burbridge. Shelton and Burbridge are roommates this year. Two quiet guys playing a position usually played by those prone to yammer. Shelton’s mother, a talkative soul, comes across more suited for the role.

“Aaron and R.J. are just like brothers,” said Broome, who played basketball at Wisconsin in the early 1990s. “Our families get together after games. And if one has a bad game, everyone is just there supporting. Just their brotherhood and our families have that deep connection. It’s been unreal. And I see such a change in R.J. with it.

“But shoot, R.J. has always been humble and hungry. He’s just been waiting for his moment to shine. He’s built up that trust with Connor, and you go from there.”

There, so far this year, equates to 21 catches for 224 yards — nine of those receptions the last two weeks, two of them perhaps saving he season. Among MSU’s receivers, only Burbridge, who leads the Big Ten with 44 grabs for 702 yards, has been more productive or essential.

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MSU began this season thinking it had a potential star in Burbridge and an accomplished tandem in Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings Jr. Now its passing game might be indefensible. For a team whose best chance to win at the highest level is on the backs of its offense and on the arm of its quarterback, this is no small development.

Not for next year, either, when Shelton is the only truly experienced wideout returning. MSU can feel OK about that now.

“He’s already understanding the leadership component,” Samuel said. “And he’s pushing those guys already. He’s on Felton (Davis) more than some of the other guys, because he knows he’s going to have to help him. He’s on Monty (Madaris), ‘Hey, you’ve got to be with me. It’s going to be us. We’ve got to be on the same page.’ It’s already started, that chemistry and communication. Hopefully it just keeps rolling.”

It’s rolling now, in part, because Shelton made two catches.

Graham Couch can be reached at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.