“We played, offensive line speaking, the best in a lot of years even with the loss happening,” Staten said while talking with reporters. “But I’d have given all that up for the W. But it’s important we continue to jell, continue to get guys in there and feel good about things.”

MSU initially was forced to sub various linemen in and out during the early portion of the season due to nicked-up players, such as senior tackle Fou Fonoti and sophomore guard Jack Allen.

Staten said the rotation will continue because it helps keep the big bodies healthy and potentially can confuse defenses that have picked up on one player’s tendencies.

“It’s exciting, they’re talking to each other, there’s more communication out there and they’re really, really helping one another get better,” Staten said.

Much of the shuffling has occurred on the outside, where Fonoti, redshirt freshman Jack Conklin and sophomore Donavon Clark have rotated at the tackle spots. Staten said the competition is so tight at left tackle that the advantage switches daily.

Throughout the various lineups, though, the one constant has been senior Blake Treadwell at left guard. Treadwell and Staten share a common thread as coaches’ sons, and talking about the captain’s play gets Staten amped up.

“(Treadwell is) playing real explosive football,” Staten said. “He’s put a lot of time in … He’s turned into a tremendous leader for us, one of the top leaders on the offense, I’d say, I’d put that out there.

“He’s just a tough, gritty, grinder and just gets so much joy and thrill out of just smashing people, so I like (Treadwell) a lot.”

Special attention

Sophomore wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. is set to return kickoffs and punts for MSU this week, an opportunity he was very excited about on Tuesday.

Linebackers and special teams coach Mike Tressel said Kings’ attention to detail and explosiveness suit him well for the added responsibilities.

“(For a) punt returner, it’s ‘I could get hit immediately,’” Tressel said. “As a kickoff returner it’s, ‘I’m going to be going full speed and I can’t stutter and I’ve gotta run through the smoke.’ … Sometimes you’ve got a guy who’s both those things.”

The Notre Dame game also signaled a changing of the guard at kicker when true freshman Michael Geiger replaced senior Kevin Muma after Muma missed a 30-yard field goal.

Tressel said MSU hoped to redshirt Geiger this season, but the Notre Dame situation warranted a change. In manufactured pressure situations in practice, Geiger has responded well since becoming the main kicker, Tressel said.

“We’re not going to try to put you in a position where we don’t think you should make this kick unless it is maybe the last play of the half or the last play of the game,” Tressel said.