Spartan D dominates again in final spring scrimmage
Michigan State’s defense came to play this spring. Once again the defensive starters outplayed the offensive starters in Friday’s scrimmage which wrapped up MSU’s spring practices. Drew Stanton and the normally potent starting offense were kept out of the end zone and had to settle for a pair of field goals on five possessions. The defense also dominated the offense in last weekend’s public scrimmage.
Another pattern we’re seeing this spring is newcomer Nehemiah “Nemo” Warrick who is getting lots of credit for the defensive turnaround. Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal talked with John L. Smith about Warrick’s attitude and how it has ignited the defense.
Bragging rights and confidence. Michigan State’s defense will bring both into the summer, for the first time in a long time.
MSU closed spring football with a public scrimmage Friday at Spartan Stadium, and for the second time in a week, the first-string defense got the best of the first-string offense. A seemingly faster, brasher, better defense was the big story of spring drills in coach John L. Smith eyes.
“We’ve started to play with more attitude, and I really attribute a lot of that to Nemo,” Smith said in reference to brand-new strong safety Nehemiah Warrick. “Attitude on that defensive side is maybe as important as anything.”
Shannon Shelton of the Detroit Free Press also focused on the defense and the positive impact of other newcomers. Safety Dan Fortener, defensive end Reggie Graham, and redshirt freshman linebacker Andrew Hawken led the team in tackles during Friday’s scrimmage. All three are redshirt freshmen. Combine that with all the praise for newcomer Nehemiah Warrick and many Spartan fans may not recognize the MSU defense this fall.
Safety Dan Fortener and defensive end Reggie Graham — both redshirt freshmen — each made a game-high nine tackles, and redshirt freshman linebacker Andrew Hawken made eight.
Defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo, a junior college transfer, set the tone in the first series by forcing an A.J. Jimmerson fumble, and Hawken made the recovery. Senior defensive tackle David Stanton forced a fumble by wide receiver Matt Trannon on the sixth series after Trannon caught a Drew Stanton pass. Defensive end Justin Kershaw made that recovery.
Steve Grinczel of MLive.com praised the defense as well but also mentioned that the MSU kicking game may be much improved thanks to walk-on Todd Boleski. John L. Smith had some very high praise for Boleski.
Todd Boleski, a 6-foot-6 walk-on kicker, gave MSU hope that an area of glaring weakness might improve next season. He made two 32-yard field goals and finished practice with efforts of 40, 47 and 55 yards, the last of which was executed while surrounded by screaming teammates and with a coach blowing a whistle in his ear.
“Other than (Detroit Lions’ kicker) Jason Hanson (in college), I can’t remember a guy (I’ve coached) having a leg like this,” Smith said. “It’s big. We have to get him to shorten up and speed up.”