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Michigan State Football: What worked/didn’t work against Rutgers

By Thomas Nikundiwe

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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

Special teams has always been a strength for Mark Dantonio’s teams. In fact, they are usually so sound in special teams that it’s the unit that produces the most trick plays on the team. This year, they can’t even get the basics down, much less try any trick plays.

At some point the new special teams coach has to be evaluated and maybe given some support from the former special teams coach and current co-defensive coordinator, Mike Tressel. The special teams play is nothing short of embarassing.

What went well: Containing Janarion Grant

Most Spartan fans held their breath when MSU kicked off at the beginning of the game and after scores. Rutgers return specialist, Janarion Grant, already has three touchdown returns on kicks this year and MSU has given up two. It was not a good combination.

As a matter of fact, I was a little relieved when Michael Geiger shanked his kickoff out-of-bounds. It was generally seen as a bad play, but I’m still scared of MSU’s kickoff coverage.

Despite the angst, MSU kick coverage did their job and contained Grant. He got a little bit loose a couple of times, but he didn’t really threaten to take it to the house any time.

What didn’t: Basically everything else

Besides kick coverage, the MSU special teams were a hot mess against Rutgers. Punting: hot mess. Field goals: hot mess. Snapping: hot mess. Blocking: hot mess.

MSU’s special teams MVP through four games was punter Jake Hartbarger. But in the last two his confidence looks shaken. A dropped snap and subsequent fumble against Purdue seemed to linger with similar problems and a shanked punt against Rutgers.

Michael Geiger had another field goal attempt blocked. This seemed to be more of a blocking issue than a kicking one, but it can’t help his shaky confidence. Geiger was able to put a field goal through, but barely. He doinked one off of the upright and it caromed between the goal post for a 30-yarder. Not exactly the most reassuring kick.

In a game where MSU is more closely matched in talent — like Michigan, for instance — the special teams could be the difference between a win and a loss and they almost cost MSU this game.

Next: MSU Football: 5 bold predictions for October

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