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Michigan State Football: Report card for first half of 2017 season

By Connor Muldowney

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble as quarterback Conor Rhoda #15 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles him during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble as quarterback Conor Rhoda #15 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles him during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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B-. . ST. Michigan State. SPECIAL TEAMS

Coming into the season, Mark Dantonio knew he’d have to replace plenty of talent on special teams, including kicker Michael Geiger. The graduated kicker made some clutch kicks during his career, including the Ohio State victory in 2015, and it wouldn’t be easy to replace him. Freshman Matt Coghlin has done a decent job through six games.

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Although Coghlin hasn’t had many opportunities, he’s 5-for-7 on field goals and 17-of-17 on extra points. He hasn’t missed a field goal under 40 yards yet but is just 2-of-4 on tries between 40-49 yards, which isn’t too shabby for a first-year kicker. He’s been living up to expectations.

R.J. Shelton would also need to be replaced in the return game and Michigan State has shuffled through Darrell Stewart Jr., Laress Nelson and now Connor Heyward. Who will stick? There hasn’t been consistency in the return game yet.

Punting has been solid behind returning junior Jake Hartbarger and he’s averaging 41.5 yards per punt which is slightly above his career mark. Overall, he’s done a solid job with hang-time and his numbers might be lower than he’d like because of short punts to pin teams deep.

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Unfortunately, the coverage teams have been shaky as the Spartans have allowed a few long returns to set up solid field position for opponents. Punt coverage has been strong, but kickoff coverage could use work. This has plagued Michigan State for a couple of years now.

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