LOS ANGELES – Michigan State’s task defending one of the nation’s top offenses just became more complicated.

Starting linebacker Jordan Hall was flagged for targeting and disqualified in the second quarter of Saturday’s game at No. 25 USC. That’s a huge loss for the Spartans with the co-captain out for the rest of the game.

The penalty stemmed from Hall making helmet-to-helmet contact with USC tight end Lake McRee while tackling him for a 6-yard gain. That’s a massive loss for Michigan State (3-0) in its Big Ten opener against the Trojans (3-0, 1-0), who entered the game leading the nation in total offense.

Hall’s absence is complicated by linebacker Brady Pretzlaff being unavailable after getting hurt in last week’s 41-24 win against Youngstown State.

One snap after Hall was sent to t

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