Michigan State football stock watch following Western Michigan win

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Germie Bernard #5 of Michigan State celebrates with teammates following his first quarter touchdown against Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /

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Michigan State place kicker Jack Stone (19) attempts an extra point against Western Michigan during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. /

Stock down: Jack Stone

On the other side of special teams, Jack Stone and the kicking unit did not appear great. He made all of his extra points, but a badly missed field goal was not what we want to see after years of moderately consistent Matt Coghlin play.

Additionally, only half of the Michigan State kickoffs resulted in touchbacks, which was not a factor against Western Michigan. Tucker’s squad easily out-talents the skills of the Western kickoff return unit. In the future, the Spartans have to play great return men, and the inability to consistently deny the returner the ball could come back to bite the Spartans sooner rather than later.

Stone played OK, but for a kicker who was top 15 in his position from last recruiting class, I was underwhelmed by a missed field goal of under 45 yards. This does not appear to be the only struggle for the Spartans, seeing how they brought in competition in the preseason for Stone.

Stock analysis

I won’t be surprised if there are multiple kickers in use this season, or even in the next game.

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