Death by Inches: The Spartans defensive unit is honing in on the fine details before the Nebraska matchup

“Just making sure we have that next man up mentality,” said Michigan State linebacker Sam Edwards, recently. “This game’s so unpredictable. You never know when something like that can go wrong.”

This is the mentality that the Spartans' defensive unit has been living by this season as they have been tested more than once.

Starting linebacker and captain Jordan Hall was ejected early from the USC game, from what Edwards described as a “tough call.” Later that game, linebacker Wayne Matthews III went down with a scary injury, and he was carted off the field. 

“You know, we took a big hit with Jordan (Hall) getting thrown out early, tough call, but that’s football,” Edwards. “Same thing with Wayne (Matthews), you know, just sort of a freak play, freak situation. We’re definitely praying for him, as we didn’t really know what type of shape he was in, but then just making sure we can have that next man up mentality.”

For Edwards and the team, simply seeing Matthews back on the plane ride home from California was a relief after the frightening experience. Head coach Jonathan Smith has alluded to the idea that there is a chance Matthews will play this Saturday, after practicing and putting in the work over the bye week.

“Seeing him get back on the plane with the team and travel back, be in good shape and in good spirits, you know, the following days, it definitely meant a lot to us, and it was good for us to see,” Edwards said. “He’s moving around well. He’s coming along. So we’ll see, we’ll see where he’s at, but he’s moving along well.”