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Michigan State Football: 3 exciting stats from Jonathan Smith’s offensive staff

By Scott Tolonen

Michigan State's new football coach Jonathan Smith speaks to the crowd during a timeout in the basketball game against Georgia Southern on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Michigan State's new football coach Jonathan Smith speaks to the crowd during a timeout in the basketball game against Georgia Southern on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. /
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Nov 18, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Tanner Miller (61) and offensive lineman Jake Levengood (70) block downfield against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Tanner Miller (61) and offensive lineman Jake Levengood (70) block downfield against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports /

5.1 yards per rush attempt

Do you think I’m done talking about the offensive line? Think again. Week after week, I begged the Spartan offense to average just 4.5 yards per game and was constantly disappointed. They ended the season averaging 2.9 yards per rush attempt which was the third-worst in all of the Power Five.

Nate Carter deserves better and I think he’ll get that next year.

Just imagine what an extra two yards per rush can do. It turns second-and-8 into a second-and-6. A second-and-4 into a third-and-1. A third-and-2 into a first down instead of having to shield your eyes as this team tries and fails to get a fourth-and-short three times a game.

A healthy running game is the key to winning any Big Ten game and Jonathan Smith’s team has it in spades. Carter has the talent, but poor play-calling and lack of offensive line execution/talent failed him and the quarterback.

Without a run game, the quarterback was forced into obvious passing downs with no time to throw. 5.1 yards per rush attempt means this team can drain the clock, keep the first down chains moving, and keep the opposing defenses guessing.

The future of the Spartan offense is bright thanks to the incoming staff coming to East Lansing.

Next. MSU football: The transfer portal works both ways. dark

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