Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Special teams a bright spot for MSU football nearing half-way mark of 2023

Last November, a 22 yard field goal was all that MSU needed to earn a sixth win to be eligible for a bowl game. For most kicker’s, that is a chip shot, but Auburn graduate transfer Ben Patton’s boot was pushed left. That sequence summed up a miserable 2022 from the field goal kicking unit. This year, the addition of North Carolina graduate transfer Johnathan Kim has given special teams coach Ross Els reason to trust his kicker to get three points when in reasonable range, along with the replacement of NFL sixth round pick Bryce Baringer with redshirt freshman punter Ryan Eckley.

FOOTBALL

MSU football defense picking up offensive slack in recent losses

The last three weeks of 2023 have given Michigan State football a number of issues that require deep looks in the mirror, whether it be a 34 point loss to the No. 7 Washington Huskies at home or a 16 point showing in their first road game last week to the Iowa Hawkeyes, but it hasn’t been all bad on both sides of the ball for the Spartans.

FOOTBALL

Alan Haller addresses MSU football head coaching search, appreciation of Spartan community in issued letter

The 2023 season has been quite the rollercoaster for the Michigan State Football team. Following the firing of Head Coach Mel Tucker for cause officially last Wednesday, a new identity is demanded by the Spartan faithful as the program attempts to restore the culture it once had before Tucker’s incident. Athletic Director Alan Haller issued a community letter on Monday to recognize the frustrations the MSU fan base has in addition to providing an update on Michigan State’s plan to conduct a head coaching search to fill the role. The Spartans are winless in the three games coached by interim head coach Harlon Barnett after Tucker was suspended back on Sept. 10. 

FOOTBALL

Jonathan Kim creates kicking history with 58 yard field goal in loss to Iowa

The Michigan State Football team couldn’t hold onto their lead as they struggled to generate any momentum on offense in their 26-16 loss to Iowa Saturday night. Redshirt senior kicker Jonathan Kim produced one of the more consistent performances on the night for the Spartans, and was a big contributor to MSU's scoring. Kim was 3/4 on made field goals, including 1/1 on extra points.

FOOTBALL

Preview: MSU football looking to end two game losing skid at Iowa

Michigan State football has spent the first month of their season in East Lansing, but now, in week five, they are heading to Iowa City for their first game away from Spartan Stadium of 2023 and a chance to break their two game losing streak after starting out the season 2-0 in a primetime showdown with the 3-1 Iowa Hawkeyes.