Michigan State Football: Report card for win over Indiana in Week 8

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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against defensive back Chase Dutra #30 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

A-. . ST. Michigan State. SPECIAL TEAMS

This may have just been the best performance from the special teams units all season long. As a whole, Michigan State impressed and it was thanks to Jake Hartbarger, the punt coverage and Matt Coghlin. Oh yeah, and Michigan State even saw a touchback on a kickoff.

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Let’s start with Hartbarger as the junior punter seems to be the star each week. When your punter is on the field eight times to give the ball back to an opponent, that’s bad news for the offense. However, Hartbarger helped the Spartans win the field position battle and even pinned the Hoosiers at the 1-yard line in the first half. He averaged 46.3 yards per punt with a long of 62.

His unit’s coverage was just as strong. Indiana’s J-Shun Harris II was able to return three punts but only for 10 yards. Even the punts in which Hartbarger didn’t get all his leg into, the punt coverage was down there in a hurry.

Lastly, Coghlin got another chance at a field goal and drilled it from 23 yards away. He was also 2-for-2 on extra points. He’s proving to be a reliable option there.

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Laress Nelson, Cody White and Connor Heyward all split time in punt and kick return duties. There seems to be no positive momentum in that area, though.

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