Michigan State HC Jonathan Smith reflects on final scrimmage, ready for game week

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Spartans have enjoyed two days off, capping the end of Michigan State’s training camp while awaiting the beginning of prep week for Western Michigan, which begins on Thursday.

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith put the Spartans through practice on Monday, in the wake of the second and final scrimmage of August, which had taken place on Saturday.

“I think it was really competitive, the second scrimmage,” Smith said. “This one was back and forth. That red zone execution offensively was way better in the second one, which was great to see.

“I think both scrimmages, we tackled well defensively. I had a bunch of clips showing the team, guys getting them on the ground, and that was awesome. We don’t get to tackle that much, and they took full advantage.”

Running backs, a wide receiver and linebackers came to mind when Smith was asked about players who stood out on Saturday.

“Splash plays: Makhi (Frazier) caught a couple touchdowns,” Smith said of the sophomore running back. “One was pretty impressive.

“Brandon (Tullis) had a physical run for a touchdowns.
(Wide receiver) Rodney Bullard had a huge play in the scrimmage for a touchdown.

“(Linebacker) Sam Edwards had a pick that was good play in the red zone. I don’t know how many exact sacks, but they got to the quarterback a few times, which was good. 

“Brady (Pretzlaff) had some good tackles in the backfield, a couple for loss. He had a good scrimmage.”

“The run game was better on Saturday. So we were pleased with that. Brandon had some good carries.

“Makhi ran it really well, caught the ball out of the backfield well. So we were pleased with that room. Makhi and Brandon in the backfield, carrying the ball, those guys stepped up and played really well. That would be a particular (position) where you could see multiple guys back there.”

Pass protection might have sprung leakes at times, but ball carriers benefitted from decent blocking up front in the ground game. 

“On the o-line, we played I think eight, nine guys in different groups with the ones, twos,” Smith said. “It was good to see.”

Monday marked the final practice before naming captains, and getting set for game week.

“I’m pleased with what we got done today and now we’re going to begin to transition really into game prep,” Smith said after Monday’s practice. “Training camp, kind of concluding, pleased with it.”

The Spartans will return to the practice field today (Thursday), and then participate in Meet The Spartans, a free event for fans to get a chance to get pictures and autographs with Michigan State players and coaches, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Spartan Stadium.

“Looking forward to getting out there and saying hello,” Smith said. “Home field advantage, a lot of it starts with your fan base, the energy that they bring to the table. And so we want to go out and meet them, getting ready for the next week.”

The Spartans went 5-7 last year and are aiming to earn postseason bid in 2025 for just the second time in six years. 

“Again, we’re pushing,” Smith said. “We’ve got to find ways to continue to work and make this thing competitive and all of that. But I think on the day-to-day, it feels like year two.

“Guys are excited. They put a lot of work year-long leading up to this. We’re taking a lighter on the body the next two days, so their body should even feel fresher coming out of this thing and getting closer to game will bring more excitement.

“Obviously got a lot of hard work in and getting closer to game time. Still going to want to take advantage of the next less than two weeks here. But pleased with where we’re at.”