'Physical and tough': MSU’s defensive unit’s mantra to contain an imperfect victory

Michigan State moved to 3-0 on the season with an imperfect victory over Youngstown State, however, the Spartans overcame injuries throughout the game and still took care of business. The win wasn’t as clean as they’d hoped, but offensive flashes from quarterback Aidan Chiles, an 85-yard punt return by Omari Kelly, and a couple of key defensive stops gave the green and white the momentum to pull out the 41-24 win. 

Youngstown State’s quarterback Beau Brungard came into East Lansing after breaking his school and the Missouri Valley Football Conference single-game rushing records by a quarterback with 264 yards. However, the Spartans held him to just 17 yards in the entire 60 minutes. 

Junior linebacker Jordan Hall says that the defense just played physical and tough, something that is a mantra of their defensive unit. They knew Brungard’s legs were a weapon and made sure to emphasize that going into this week. 

“That was kind of our game plan,” Hall said. “Just being physical at the point of attack and trying our best to eliminate him from the game.”

Fellow linebacker and fifth-year senior Wayne Matthews III adds on praise to how the defense handled limiting Brungard’s rushing ability. 

“As a defense, I think we did a great job at containing him,” Matthews said. “Going into a game like that, it’s more respect that you put into the game plan to try and limit his ability, but I feel like we did a great job today.”

While the scoreboard was in favor of the Spartans, the defensive leaders Hall and Matthews acknowledged communication breakdowns and took accountability for the missed assignments in Saturday’s matchup. 

“Communication kind of lacked today,” Hall said. “Especially in some of those big plays, which again, is something that has to be and will be cleaned up going into next week.”

Matthews echoed this sentiment when asked about some of the bigger plays the Penguins were able to make, including a 66-yard run to set up a first and goal and an eventual Youngstown State touchdown. 

“It’s just stuff that we have to clean up,” Matthews said. “As a whole defense, we just need to play better, honestly. We have to fit better, we have to do our job more. I feel like that’s what we need to do.”

Injuries took a toll on the Spartans throughout this game, losing star wide receiver Nick Marsh for the entire second half due to a right leg injury, starting running back Makhi Frazier, and guard Luca Vincic. Defensively, the Spartans are continuing to function without defensive backs Caleb Gash and Andrew Brinson IV, who have season-ending injuries. Offensive players made it a point to keep a “next man up” mentality, something Hall echoed. 

“It has to be that easy,” Hall said. “You have to step up. That’s kind of just the way that it is. I got forced into my role my freshman year, and it’s just something you learn to adapt to do, and if you can’t do it, we’ll find somebody else that can do it, that will step up.”

Depth is something the Spartans have been proud of throughout this season, and on Saturday, this depth was tested with players stepping up from injuries and rotating throughout drives. 

“Having those guys being able to get reps early on in the season (is important),” Hall said. “So in those bigger games when maybe we need those guys to have reps, they’re ready to step up, and they feel comfortable being out there.”

On the flip side, starting senior defensive back Nikai Martinez returned for the Spartans after being out for the first two weeks with an injury. Martinez came back in full force, making key tackles and being a strong voice in the defensive play throughout the game. 

“It’s great having him behind me,” Hall said of Martinez. “On that one tackle he had, he actually made me right. I messed up on that play, but he came down and he made me right. So, it was great having him on the field, back making calls, flying around. And I really love the guys on our back end and how they’re an extension of us on the field...So it was great seeing him back healthy, making tackles, making plays.”

Matthews felt his presence back on the field as well and recalls the same play at Hall.

“It was definitely great seeing him back there,” Hall said. “I was out chasing the quarterback on that play, and Nikai, he was right there and made a great tackle. I congratulated him, slapped him on the helmet.”

Another bright spot and maybe the biggest defensive highlight for the green and white was Armorian Smith getting a second-quarter interception that arguably shifted the momentum towards the Spartans. 

“I love seeing that guy flying around making plays,” Hall said. “It excites me knowing the history that he’s had in recent times. But, yeah, it was a great play, especially when that kind of momentum was shifting a little bit…It was big in that moment.”

The adversity Smith has faced recently, with his mom passing from cancer in 2024 and becoming a guardian to his four younger siblings, made this moment all the sweeter. It was a moment, not just for Smith, but for the whole team to celebrate.

“He’s a guy to be celebrated on this team,” Head Coach Jonathan Smith said. “And our guys do celebrate when he has success.”

Even with the win and a 3-0 start to the season, the Spartans' defense will celebrate these personal and schematic victories, but their leaders acknowledge the adjustments that need to be made as they enter Big Ten conference play next week against USC on the road.  

“It’s just stuff that we have to clean up,” Matthews said. “As a whole defense, we just need to play better, honestly.”