Michigan State University Athletics
Second Preseason Scrimmage Scheduled for Saturday
8/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. â€" Preseason camp rolled on in East Lansing on Thursday morning as the Spartans underwent their 14th practice on the fields behind the Duffy Daugherty Football Building under cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-60s.
Prior to practice, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio met with reporters to talk about the progress the team has made during preseason camp and why he's been pleased thus far.
"That's pretty much based on how we've handled our business here, how we come out to practice every day, and how our seniors have represented themselves in meetings and things of that nature," said Dantonio. "I think there's a sense of maturity here right now, and that's a positive. I think we all go through a process of maturing at different times. If you stay the course within a program, you're in that culture for the same amount of years, for four or five years, I think good things start to happen. I think that's what you see. We've got talent here. Talent only takes you so far; after that, it becomes individual leadership skills and things of that nature. So I'm very excited in how they've handled themselves."
The second scrimmage of preseason camp is scheduled for Saturday.
BUBBA SMITH NAMED TO FWAA 75TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM: Former Michigan State defensive end Charles "Bubba" Smith, one of only three players in Spartan football history to have his jersey number (No. 95) retired, has been named to the Football Writers Association of America's 75th Anniversary All-America Team (third-team selection). The FWAA 75th Anniversary All-America Team celebrates the association's All-America teams from near the end of World War II through the 2014 season. The FWAA, which was founded in 1941, has picked an annual All-America team since the 1944 season, making it the second-longest continuously selected team in major college football. For a complete release, click here.
QUOTABLE
Co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Jim Bollman
On the progress of the tight ends…
I feel very fortunate and blessed to have five guys that I feel could go out and play football for Michigan State right now. It is fun to coach all of those guys. Some are farther along experience wise than others, and some are strong than others, but as far as guys being capable of winning football games for Michigan State, we have that.
On what red-shirt freshman tight end Matt Sokol does well…
All of the different aspects you want in a good tight end he is getting better in. He is getting stronger, bigger, he is about 250 pounds now, and is getting the hang of what it takes to be a good blocker. As he gets stronger in his lower body, that will be more and more of a prominent thing for him, but he has good quickness and hands.
On what the tight ends need to work on before the season starts…
They are doing wonderful. They are improving and have a really good chance of being contributors for this football team. There are always things blocking we can do to improve, though. You are never perfect in that regard, so you are always striving to be better there. They are all good receivers and will get better as they become more familiar with the quarterbacks. Blocking is something we have more control over, though, and something we always want to get better at.
Offensive line coach Mark Staten
On what has been most impressive from the offensive line…
The intensity of our practices has been very impressive. It has been a slug fest on both sides of the ball. Our tempo and abilities are just terrific. When we go one-on-one like we do, you are seeing some great players going up against more great players on the other side of the ball.
On having experienced players in the system early on…
Well, it is going to open up holes for the backs and will protect the quarterback. We have backs that ran really well in the past scrimmage against a darn good defense. We need to continue to open up those lanes and let them see things. The more they run and see where the hole is going to be on a power play, the better it will be when it comes time for the season.
On what needed to be improved on after the scrimmage…
We need more consistency out of the second and third-string guys. Our first string played the least amount, with 24 plays being the least number of plays and 29 the most, so we really want to see more of the consistency out of the other guys.
Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel
On freshmen that have come in ready to play…
We have talked about it a little bit, and Greg Jones is the one that in our time we said right away knew how to find the football. The rest of them, you look at it, and we have had some really good linebackers, but most of them have redshirted. Taiwan Jones and Greg Jones are really the two exceptions.
On coaching the whole defense and not just linebackers…
There is a little bit of a magnet to the linebackers just because I have been in this system for so long with the linebackers. I sat in meetings with the defensive line and coach (Ron) Burton today, though, and have one period everyday where I am with the defensive tackles and defensive ends. There has been a little bit of time with the defensive backs, but coach (Harlon Barnett) and coach (Mark) Dantonio have that handled.
On Riley Bullough's leadership presence…
Riley, a year ago, even when we had Taiwan (Jones) and Ed Davis, we wanted to get Riley on the field because of his leadership and enthusiasm. Because of that, we found a way to get him in our nickel package. You need that guy's energy on the field. He makes a two and a half hour practice go by fast. It is contagious. We say enthusiasm is contagious and creates an epidemic.
Sophomore offensive lineman Brian Allen
On what Meet the Spartans indicates…
It's pretty cool to get out and see all the fans who are excited for the season. We're also in camp so we don't get to see a lot of people as it is. So it's good to see new faces. Every year the number of people coming is growing, so I think that's a testament to the program and the strength we're gaining as we move forward.
On today's practice…
We're always trying to pick out something to get better at, whether it's just the little things or focusing on fundamentals. Everyday it's not just one thing, but we're trying to get better as we have a bunch of stuff to work on.
On what he needs to work on for perfecting his game…
Pretty much everything. I'm a long ways away from where I want to be. I have a lot of work to do so I need to get through these next few weeks of camp and fine tune all the tools before the season starts.
On who has stepped up to lead the team…
The offensive line, I would say my brother Jack Allen, and Jack Conklin are really the leaders of the group right now. Everyone kind of looks to them for answers and even the team. Those are the leaders in the trenches so we can look to them for all the stuff we need.
Senior center Jack Allen
On practice today …
I thought it went well. The defense had a good day, and obviously I felt had a one up on the offense. It goes back and forth throughout camp, though. We have some young guys in trying to learn the system. They are on their way, but they still have some stuff to learn, even from the film today too.
On the effect of experience coming back on offense…
Early on, with all of the guys that have been through the grind, with all the freshmen and younger guys, the older guys have been through what they are experiencing right now, which is good. For these first couple weeks of practice, it is good for the older guys to teach them what is going on and what you have to do to be successful, and that is part of the role of being a senior and a leader on the team. You have to teach the young guys how it is down around here.
On improvements made since scrimmage…
For us, we need to finish. There are times we shoot ourselves in the foot as an offense, and we pay for it. We don't get as many points on the board as we want, but if we finish and avoid certain situations, then we will be where we want to be.
Senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun
Why Meet the Spartans is special…
Obviously, it was special. It was really nice to see a lot of young folks come out and support us and be happy to see us at the same time. You never truly understand how much of a light you can be for younger and older people. It was nice to have the opportunity to meet with them on a personal level and just interact.
On today's practice…
We had a lot of fun. We beat the offense. Honestly, we always have a great time. Coming out here with our brothers and making the most of it â€" I think especially for the seniors â€" this [year] is our last opportunity to be with these guys. It's bittersweet, but we're trying to make the most of it.
On holding a leadership position on the team…
It's special for them to see that in me. I do see myself as a leader but when you hear it from other people, that's when you know it's really special. That's when you know you're doing the right thing. To hear from coaches and other players, it means a lot. It means that I'm doing the right thing and that I need to stay on my A game. At the end of the day, guys are going to look up to me for inspiration and for me to push them to strive for excellence. It puts a little bit more pressure on my shoulders, but I'm all right.
On growth from younger players on the team…
I think that a lot of younger guys have taken a role of being leaders. They don't want to sit back and wait for that turn. They're trying to all step up and be a part of this program and contribute in any way that they can. Guys like Montez Sweat and Malik McDowell â€"Malik, who played last year, he still has a lot he can accomplish. I see him evolving over the summer camp. It's nice to see him grow up and understand his role while taking responsibility.
Junior offensive tackle Jack Conklin
On how Meet the Spartans affects the team…
It's just crazy to see all that support. It really humbles us to see all these people that care so much about us. I think sometimes you forget in the dog days of camp why you're playing. I think it's humbling to see all those people out there and rejuvenates you and gets you refocused on ‘I'm not playing for myself, I'm playing for all these people that have my back.'"
On being a leader…
It's awesome to be able to see that people listen to me. That they're seeing me as a person that they look up to and know they can trust. That's the biggest thing, I want my teammates to be able to trust me and know I'm doing everything for them.
On what the team can improve on…
As a team, we need to keep working on the little things. We really need to focus on finishing blocks and taking everything right to the whistle without stopping early.
