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Michigan State Football: Report card for 2015 season

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) and cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) carry the Big Ten east championship trophy after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) and cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) carry the Big Ten east championship trophy after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans place kicker Michael Geiger (4) kicks a field goal during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans place kicker Michael Geiger (4) kicks a field goal during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams: D+

It felt like nothing went right for Michigan State’s special teams this season outside of a last-second field goal by Michael Geiger against Ohio State, vaulting the Spartans to victory. Jake Hartbarger was also pretty solid in his freshman season, ranking fourth in the Big Ten in average yards per punt (42.1).

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It was mostly the kickoff and punt coverage that led to many mishaps. The Spartans allowed an opening game kickoff return for a touchdown against Western Michigan and another long return in the same game. It was a sign of things to come as Kevin Cronin had a tough time kicking the ball long enough to result in touchbacks — sometimes even kicking it out of bounds for an illegal procedure.

Michigan State’s special teams coverage improved throughout the course of the season, but the Alabama game brought back the problems as Cyrus Jones returned a punt for a touchdown in the third quarter, putting the game out of reach at 24-0.

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Michael Geiger was the other ‘disappointment’ even though he improved throughout the season as well. He made 12-of-19 field goals and missed two extra points on the season.

Overall, this Michigan State special teams unit was not as impressive as a typical Dantonio-coached group.

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