Michigan State vs Rutgers: Report card for the Spartans

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Oct 10, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan State Spartans punter Jake Hartbarger (25) punts the ball during the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Special Teams: F

Ugh. Can anyone even argue this grade? Probably not. Well, let’s face it Spartan fans, the special teams units are just not very good. From the kickoff coverage team, which has been a bit improved, to the field goal unit, this team has a ton of work to do.

Michigan State needs a serious revamping in this area of the game. Michael Geiger has been struggling all season long and his only miss of the game was not necessarily his fault, but his blockers as Rutgers soared past the line to get a hand on his kick, leaving the Spartans with no points on a solid first drive.

Geiger’s second field goal attempt, of just 30 yards, was an ugly one as it clanked off the right upright and through the post for three. It wasn’t pretty, but nothing about the field goal unit this year has been.

Jake Hartbarger also struggled for the first time in his career, punting just two times for a lackluster 35 yards and he was pulled for backup quarterback Tyler O’Connor in a late-game punting situation.

This unit is just not playing the way it should this season and changes need to be made as soon as possible. Going forward like this won’t cut it in the next few weeks.

Next: College Football Rankings: Michigan rises, MSU falls

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