Injuries pile up for Spartans in win over Youngstown State

The Michigan State Spartans may have gotten the win on Saturday over Youngstown State, but injuries were a major concern during the game for the Spartans.

Three starters left the game and did not return for Michigan State: guard Luka Vincic with a lower-body injury, running back Makhi Frazier with an ankle injury, and wide receiver Nick Marsh with a right leg injury.

Other players, such as offensive linemen Conner Moore, Stanton Ramil, and Kristian Phillips, running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver, linebacker Brady Pretzlaff, as well as receiver and punt returner Alante Brown, who was injured in pre-game warmups, were banged up for the Spartans on Saturday. 

As injuries ran rampant for Michigan State, it tested their depth more than they would have liked after a physical week of practice, according to head coach Jonathan Smith.

“This game certainly tested our depth,” Smith said. “We had a lot of guys coming out for a small amount of time, it’s not like we can watch the tape and point the finger at the player, as a coach, we have to think of our preparation. I will tell you, we went pretty well on Tuesday and Wednesday at practice, having our good on good. Some of the emphasis we want to make on last week. These guys went to work this week, and I think about that as I am preparing this team.”

Clearly, the biggest loss for the Spartans would be star receiver Nick Marsh, who had six catches for 94 yards in the first half before exiting.

The severity of the injury for Marsh is unknown, but he did not return to play after exiting.

“At halftime, we took a look at him, and it was kind of just inconclusive,” Smith said. “We didn’t think he was ready to go for the second half. We need a longer look at him to get a final diagnosis, and we should know more by Monday.”

Marsh has emerged as Michigan State’s number one wide receiver and has accumulated 16 catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns so far on the season. Marsh would certainly be a major loss for the Spartans as they head into Big Ten play.

Quarterback Aiden Chiles addressed the injuries but kept his offense going.

“You have to have the next man up mentality,” Chiles said. “There should be no fall off from starters to backups. Things are going to happen in the game of football, injuries happen, people get banged up, and it is always going to be 'next man up'.”

Next week, Michigan State will enter Big Ten play with a road match versus the USC Trojans, and could go to USC shorthanded.