MSU head coach John L. Smith hasn't really had a true bandit since becoming head coach before the 2003 season.

Now, in his third year, he may have finally found his man.

Sophomore Sir Darean Adams has risen up and taken control of the spot.

"I really like what he's done," Smith said.

"The last two weeks, he's really focused and said 'I'm going to get better each day,' and that's the way he's taken the field. It's just good to see."

This is Adams' first year playing defense, even going back to high school. He spent last season playing special teams.

With that being the case, Adams was not an experienced defender when he came to MSU.

"He didn't know how to tackle when he got here, he'd never done that," Smith said.

"He still has to learn to gather his feet at times when he has some space when he's taking up some slack."

Adams brought the hammer down on Hawaii's offense Saturday, recording 12 tackles and a sack, one of those tackles being a crowd-charging blow in the fourth quarter.

"It's good to see him make a hit or two that he thinks is a big hit," Smith said.

The coach said that Adams has finally seen the light in terms of academics and that is helping him on the field.

"We keep telling him to just maintain your focus and you'll get better," Smith said.

Stepping up

Smith was also complimentary toward junior quarterback Drew Stanton.

"Drew made three or four big-time throws," Smith said. "(He's) pretty special."

Stanton was 21-of-26 for 301 yards and three touchdowns in MSU's 42-14 win over Hawaii.

"He's got off to a great start throwing it," Smith said.

"I really like the way he's grasping the offense."

Stanton has completed 78 percent of his passes in two games.

Still out

Smith confirmed that senior running back Jason Teague is still suspended, but left the door open for him to play against Notre Dame on Saturday.

"It is conceivable (that he could play), yes," Smith said.

"And it is conceivable that he couldn't. So we'll wait and see."

Teague was suspended indefinitely before last Saturday's game. Smith said it was a "father-son spat."

Seeing red?

Smith said that freshman running back A.J. Jimmerson may still be redshirted, as he would like to get a year of separation between him and Ringer.

Very special

Smith was "not particularly satisfied" with his special teams through the season's opening games.

He would like to see the team make bigger plays on returns to swing momentum in the games.