Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from win over Purdue

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. Michael Geiger is on thin ice

Man, oh man. If the spotlight on Michael Geiger was any brighter, I think he’d be blind at this point. The junior kicker is having a nightmare of a season thus far, making just 4-of-7 field goals and 19-of-20 extra points — albeit one PAT was blocked.

Since his freshman year when he was 15-of-16 on field goals, Geiger’s confidence seemingly took a nosedive and he’s just 18-for-29 since. Those aren’t very good numbers, especially because out of those 11 misses, six of them are from 40 yards or less. He has never missed five field goals from 40-49 yards and has never attempted a 50-plus yarder.

On Saturday, he had a chance to put the Spartans up 24-7, but missed an easy 35-yard chip shot, while some might be putting the blame on the rainy, windy conditions for the shank. However, good kickers can make that, especially when it’s basically straight on from under 40 yards out. Heck, NFL kickers have to make 33-yard extra points.

That’s beside the point, though.

Geiger’s miss makes his percentage of makes just 57 on the year and the rate has been gradually going down each season. Mark Dantonio is standing by his kicker though, but did leave the door open for some speculation, stating that Geiger is his kicker “right now.”

Next: 1. MSU plays not to lose