Michigan State vs Nebraska: Report card for the Spartans

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans place kicker Michael Geiger (4) kicks a extra point out of the hold of Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Matt Macksood (86) during the 1st quarter of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams: D-

Is there a game that goes by in which we aren’t talking about the inability of the special teams to deliver a complete performance? Probably not. This one didn’t have any glaring standout instances of a terrible performance, but one could argue that the constant positive field position for the Cornhuskers wore down the Spartan defense.

In fact, on the Spartans’ seven kickoffs to Nebraska, the Cornhuskers averaged a starting field position at their own 40-yard line. That’s even better than if Michigan State had kicked the ball out of bounds every time and received an illegal procedure penalty. Just pathetic.

That short field allowed the Cornhuskers to get into Michigan State territory in just a couple of plays and the defense was worn out by just trying to limit drives to under 20 yards, because that was basically already field goal range.

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Also, the kickoff coverage was far less impressive than in recent games. That helped contribute the horrid field position battle — that and Kevin Cronin’s inability to kick the ball out of the end zone like he used to.

The two lone bright spots on special teams Saturday had to have been Michael Geiger’s perfect 46-yard field goal — which might bring some confidence his way — and Jake Hartbarger’s beautiful punt inside the 10-yard-line of Nebraska late in the fourth quarter which seemed to have iced the game for MSU until it allowed a 91-yard drive in 38 seconds.