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Michigan State Football: Report card for 2016 season
Nov 19, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
What does the report card for Michigan State football look like after the Spartans’ rough 2016 regular season?
Michigan State football’s 2016 season was one to forget. Unfortunately, it won’t soon be forgotten since that 3-9 record will be burned into the minds of Spartan fans everywhere after missing out on a bowl game for the first time in a decade.
Mark Dantonio had trouble getting his team going this season and it led to a 1-8 record in the final nine games of the season after starting 2-0 with a road win over No. 18 Notre Dame. Things went from bad to worse, especially at the quarterback position.
Although the slate will be wiped clean heading into 2017, there’s reason to believe this Michigan State team will be back and much better next season. First, there are about five position groups that need serious upgrades and a couple of others which need some fine-tuning.
Let’s take a look at the end of season report card for each position group. Which group do you believe graded out the highest?
Offensive Line
OL, Last Year: A-
Michigan State’s offensive line was disappointing. Last year, the group featured guys like Jack Conklin, Jack Allen and Donavon Clark, but all three went on to join NFL teams. This season, Dantonio seemed to scramble in finding replacements.
David Beedle and Miguel Machado were major disappointments on the line as they were basically revolving doors for defenders. The line gave up 27 sacks for a loss of 150 yards on the season which would have made last year’s group sick to their stomachs.
Dennis Finley never got back into the playing rotation after breaking his leg in 2015, which puzzled many who thought he could be a potential replacement for Conklin. Brian Allen was solid, but not as good as he was last year, trying to make up for the glaring weaknesses on the line beside him.
There were bright spots, though, don’t get me wrong. While the group finished with a ‘C’ grade, guys like Allen, Tyler Higby, Cole Chewins, Kodi Kieler and Thiyo Lukusa all stepped up. Four of those linemen will be returning next year with some great experience.
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) stands on the field during the first quarter of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line
DL, Last Year: A-
It was a disappointing season, to say the least, for the Michigan State defensive line. Just one season ago, there were a couple of potential All-Americans in this group, including Shilique Calhoun and Malik McDowell,and even Lawrence Thomas, but the Spartans took a step back in 2016.
Actually, they took multiple steps in the wrong direction. McDowell had a nice season, but spent most of the latter half of the year on the injury report with rib, foot and arm injuries. He was one of the major bright spots, though, finishing with 34 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He was virtually unblockable and required constant double-teams.
Demetrius Cooper was disappointing though the first three-fourths of the season, basically acting as the forgotten defensive end. He finished the year with 23 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He will need to have a huge senior year to make up for this season.
Gabe Sherron and Kevin Williams, two transfers who were expected to have big impacts, finished with 30 total tackles combined and no sacks nor tackles for loss.
The bright spots were the trio of true freshmen (Mike Panasiuk, Josh King and Auston Robertson) along with redshirt frosh Raequan Williams. They will form a dynamic line next season, but the entire team recorded just 11 total sacks — not good.
Nov 19, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) reacts to a play during the first half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Linebackers
LB, Last Year: B+
What is there to truly say about the Michigan State linebackers? There were some major surprises, in a good way, and disappointments.
Let’s start it off with the disappointments. Although Riley Bullough was arguably the most talented linebacker the Spartans had, he had a quiet year, finishing with 76 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. This comes a year after he recorded 100 total takedowns and he was expected to have an even better 2016.
Two other disappointments were Ed Davis and Jon Reschke. They were supposed to round out the starting linebacker unit this season, but Davis could never really get his groove back after last year’s ACL injury and Reschke suffered a shoulder injury in Week 4 and missed the rest of the season.
Andrew Dowell, just a sophomore, was solid, however. He was one of the bright spots. He finished the season with 67 tackles, three for loss, a sack and an interception. Expect Dowell to be a force next year.
The same goes for true freshman Joe Bachie who got some snaps, surprisingly. He finished the year with 12 tackles and two for loss.
Lastly, the biggest and best surprise was Chris Frey. Everyone heard about how good he could be and he proved that, playing the most consistent of any linebacker this season. He led the team with 96 tackles and he added four tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. He will be an All-Big Ten candidate in 2017.
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) intercepts a pass intended for Michigan Wolverines running back Karan Higdon (22) during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Backs
DB, Last Year: C+
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised at how this team finished the season, just like last year. After a shaky start to the season, the defensive backfield made some major strides and became one of the better units on the team.
If the season ended after the Northwestern game, I would have given them a ‘D’ more than likely, but with a young group of guys gradually improving, they molded into more of a ‘C+’ grade.
Darian Hicks, despite all the flak he gets, was arguably the most consistent cornerback on the team this season and he played really well for the amount of times he was targeted by opposing quarterbacks. He was looked at as a weakness, but played like a strength. He finished the year with 30 tackles, a team-high eight passes defended and two interceptions.
Opposite him was Vayante Copeland who was slightly disappointing before missing the final five games of the season with an injury. He was not as good as advertised prior to the season, but he seemed to be a bit rusty after missing most of 2015 with an injury as well.
Justin Layne made the transition from wide receiver to corner, eventually starting at the position and looking like the missing piece to the future puzzle. He will be a starter there next year — Donnie Corley also played well as a two-way guy.
Demetrious Cox was disappointing while Montae Nicholson played very well for most of the year and as did fellow safety Khari Willis who’ll likely start next year.
Long story short, the Spartans didn’t get burned deep as much as they did last year.
Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball past Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback John Reid (29) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Running Backs
RB, Last Year: B+
The run game was nearly non-existent from game three though the sixth game of the season. It seemed like the offensive line was going to be the reason the Spartans would have no running game despite having three capable backs.
In fact, there were just two 100-yard rushing performances (one by Gerald Holmes and one by LJ Scott) through the first six games of the season. For a Michigan State ground-and-pound team, that was shocking, and not in a good way.
However, the staff figured out the issue: they weren’t giving Scott the ball enough. The sophomore running back was dubbed the No. 1 guy at the beginning go the year, yet he carried the ball a total of 31 times in the span of four games in which the Spartans couldn’t produce a 100-yard rusher.
In the second half of the year, Scott was on fire. He finished with four 100-yard games in the final six and had a total of 658 yards and four touchdowns. He also became more of a threat as a receiver, adding seven receptions for 142 yards and another score. Scott finished the year just six yards shy of 1,000.
Holmes was also a solid backup, finishing the season with 431 yards and five touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry. He might be the best No. 2 running back in the conference.
Madre London might be the best No. 3 back, finishing with 120 yards and two touchdowns on 4.3 yards per touch. He just didn’t get the carries, though.
Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Wide Receivers
WR, Last Year: A
The only reason this group gets a ‘B+’ and not an ‘A’ is because the quarterback situation was so lackluster that there was no real sample size of what these guys could do. The talent in the receiving corps was darn impressive and that led to some big plays, but the quarterbacks just weren’t able to deliver the ball accurately on a consistent basis.
R.J. Shelton was the team’s best wide out this season. Like everyone thought he’d be, he was reliable and made the big catches when he needed to. He finished the season with his best numbers yet, catching 53 passes for 789 yards and five touchdowns.
True freshman Donnie Corley showed flashes of his future stardom as he was second on the team with 453 yards and three touchdowns on 33 receptions. Those numbers would have been much higher with a better quarterback in place — he was missed wide open down the field many times.
Monty Madaris had his best season as a Spartan, catching 24 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown while Felton Davis was relatively quiet after the season opener with 12 catches for 150 yards and a score.
Trishton Jackson, a true freshman, showed signs of being an electric receiving option late in the year.
Also, the tight ends have to be grouped here as well. Josiah Price had an impressive year and really improved his draft stock with 38 catches for 387 yards and five touchdowns. Jamal Lyles had 12 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O
Quarterbacks
QB, Last Year: A
The quarterback situation this season was laughable. No, it wasn’t laughable because there were just so many good quarterbacks that it was funny to see teams trying to defend the Spartans’ pass game, but actually the exact opposite.
Michigan State’s best option under center seemed to be redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke who didn’t get his first real shot until Oct. 15 against Northwestern, but it was too late at that point. He played well, passing for 381 yards and a touchdown on the year while moving the ball down the field against teams like Northwestern and Michigan, but broke his leg against he Wolverines.
Tyler O’Connor was a mess. He was a senior captain who just never panned out. Everyone had high expectations after he led the Spartans past Ohio State on the road last season in place of an injured Connor Cook, but he was mediocre this year and had a very weak arm and poor decision making. He passed for 1,970 yards and 16 touchdowns with nine picks.
Damion Terry was the odd man out. He was in a battle for the starting job before the year but could never stay healthy and just lacked confidence all season.
Terry will be back next year to compete for the starting job, but it’ll likely be a two-man race between Lewerke and freshman Messiah deWeaver.
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans place kicker Michael Geiger (4) kicks the extra point out of the hold of wide receiver Matt Macksood (86) during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Special Teams
ST, Last Year: B-
At one point in the season, the special teams unit was considered arguably the worst on the team. Since then, they corrected some things and improved ever so slightly. If it wasn’t for Michael Geiger becoming more consistent and the punt coverage getting down the field quicker, this may have been a ‘D’ position group.
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Speaking of Geiger, the senior place-kicker made all 30 of his extra points and 15-of-19 field goals. He was 10-for-11 in field goals under 40 yards, which is a much improved mark from last season in which he couldn’t be trusted from any range.
From 40-plus, he was 5-of-8, including a career-long 52-yarder. He finished his career on a high note and made big strides in improve his leg strength and accuracy in the final months of the season.
Jake Hartbarger was solid, but the sophomore was knocked for his inconsistent punting. He would boot a 50-yarder and then the next time the Spartans would punt, he’d shank it for about 35. That’s something he will need to work on for next year, as well as pinning teams deep with coffin corner punts.
The kick and punt return units were also decent. The kickoff team allowed about 21 yards per return and the punt unit gave up just under 5.5 yards per return.
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