Michigan State Defensive and Special Teams Report Card: Week One

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We’ve finally made it to the final article of Week One.

It’s been almost a week, and there’s still so much to write about after Game One that we’re continuing to come out with new content. But after this article, the focus will fully shift toward Week Two.

Before we get there, though, let’s take one last look at the season opener.

This time, Mr. Faber is here to hand out positional grades for the Michigan State defense and special teams after their showing against Toledo.

Overall, the defense looked very good. The Spartans were quick, fast and hungry on almost every play. There were two major lapses that allowed Toledo to score more points than it should have and even take a fourth-quarter lead, but when the going got rough, the defense buckled down.

So, let’s get into it.

Defensive Line: A-

Combining the edge rushers and interior defensive line, this group was phenomenal.

Excluding one major issue — a 71-yard touchdown run where a Toledo running back essentially ran straight up the middle with his eyes closed while the defense parted like the Red Sea — the Spartans dominated the rushing attack.

Toledo finished with just 16 rushing attempts for 25 yards. That doesn’t include the four quarterback carries for -19 yards, because college football counts sack yardage as rushing yards, but I will not.

Even so, holding Toledo to just 25 rushing yards on 16 attempts is exceptional.

The standout player was Eli Coenen, who also recorded a major sack and showed exactly why the Spartans prioritized him in the transfer portal.

Coenen’s ability to stuff the middle and eliminate running lanes while also generating pressure on the quarterback is rare. He consistently made his presence felt in the trenches.

And remember, that 71-yard touchdown run did not come to his side of the field, meaning he simply couldn’t get to the ball carrier quickly enough from his position.

This group was one of the biggest positives of the night.

Linebackers: A-

With Jordan Hall getting injured on two separate occasions and somehow returning both times, it was a bit nerve-racking watching the linebackers.

But Brady Petzlaff from Gaylord, Michigan, was there to prove he belongs.

Petzlaff flew around the field and finished with five total tackles, consistently finding himself around the football.

Then there was Mr. Spartan himself, Kenny Soares Jr., who was another menace on the field.

Soares came away with the lone interception of the game after tipping the ball up to himself for the pass breakup before ripping the ball away from an opposing receiver and coming down with his first interception as a Spartan.

The linebacker room showed plenty of speed, physicality and playmaking ability.

Secondary: D

This is where things got ugly.

The Spartans’ secondary looked lost and out of sync at times in Week One, and a few big passes continued to keep Toledo’s offense rolling in the second half.

In the first half, the secondary looked very good outside of one major lapse by Charles Brantley, who got burned for a 60-yard touchdown.

Then, in the second half, Tre Bell struggled to keep up with his man on multiple occasions.

Luckily for Michigan State, the safeties, led by Nikai Martinez, were playing some hard-hitting football and were able to bail out the cornerbacks at times.

Bell said after the game that he was glad it was his position group that struggled because he knows they can fix it.

That’s the right mentality.

But talk is cheap.

If the Spartans’ secondary plays like it did against Toledo when teams like Notre Dame or Oregon come calling, it could be a very long day for Michigan State.

There’s plenty to clean up before then.

Special Teams: A

Liam Boyd set the tone, nailing five of his six field-goal attempts while setting a personal best two different times during the game.

Rhys Dakin also put together a masterclass on one punt, sending it 44 yards and pinning Toledo inside the 20-yard line.

Boyd was named a Lou Groza Award Star for his efforts, and outside of a blocked field goal, the unit was fantastic.

Without that blocked field goal, this would have been an A+ performance.

Still, an A is more than deserving.

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