Michigan State vs Oregon: 5 takeaways from the Spartans’ win

Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans place kicker Michael Geiger (4) kicks a field goal out of the hold of Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Matt Macksood (86) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

2. Special teams are a disaster

Let’s face it, Michigan State’s special teams are an absolute atrocity. Watching the kickoff and punt coverage is nearly as cringe-worthy as witnessing Michael Geiger miss a 28-yard field goal. The junior kicker has been as inconsistent as any kicker in recent MSU memory as he’s just 16-for-25 in his last two seasons with the Spartans.

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The real issues, though, are the kick and punt teams.

For the second consecutive week, the Spartans allowed a long return, this time on a punt, for a touchdown as Bralon Addison took a Jake Hartbarger booming kick back 81 yards for a touchdown to tie the game early in the third quarter, 14-14.

The special teams are beginning to become a liability for this squad as it seems any time the first tackle is missed on a kick or punt return, the ball carrier takes it to midfield, or even to the end zone for a score.

Last week, it was Darius Phillips who had a 70-yard kick return to start the game and then followed it up with a 100-yard touchdown return on the next kickoff.

If there’s one thing we learned about special teams, it’s that it needs some serious work.

Next: 1. Scott/London are the real deal