Michigan State Football: 4 key observations from 2023 spring scrimmage

2 of 4

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 19: Ben Patton #93 of the Michigan State Spartan reacts to missing a field goal, forcing the game into overtime, against the Indiana Hoosiers during the fourth quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on November 19, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

2. What will the special teams look like come September?

Let’s start with the bad news. I didn’t see anyone attempt a field goal or extra point. I could be wrong here, but I swear after an offensive touchdown the team went right back to the starting point of the scrimmage. If this team has to go through another year of incompetent field goal and extra-point tries, I’m going to lose my mind.

It’s already bad enough that special teams coordinator Ross Els was able to keep his job after last year’s disaster, but if he doesn’t fix things early, Mel Tucker needs to let him walk before the Big Ten opener.

It’s completely inexcusable for a Power Five program to A) Be missing multiple extra points B) not have the right personnel on the field or C) even if they have the right guys out there, they run out of time at the end of a half or end of a game and do not get the field goal off.

Now for the good news. While Bryce Baringer will probably go down as the best punter in MSU history, redshirt freshman Ryan Eckley was booting the ball. I saw at least two punts go 60 yards in the air while also putting a punt inside the 10-yard line from his own 40-yard line. While I really hope the team doesn’t have to use the punter nearly as much as last year, it’s good to know we’re not completely helpless at the position going forward.

Home/Spartans Football