Jonathan Smith Weekly Press Conference Coverage
9/29/2025 2:33:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head football coach Jonathan Smith held a press conference Monday inside the Spartan Stadium North End Zone Media Center to preview the upcoming game at Nebraska.
Michigan State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) takes on the Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT in Lincoln. The game will be televised on FS1.
TV NETWORK UPDATE
The Big Ten Conference announced that Michigan State's Homecoming game at 12 p.m. against UCLA will be televised on the Big Ten Network. The kickoff time was previously announced in May.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith
Opening statement…
The bye week, kind of approached it early in the week to take a deep look at ourselves and on Monday and Tuesday, did a lot of self-scouting, trying to learn from our first four games on what we put out on tape, what we do well, what we've been able to do better. Just kind of an evaluation of schemes, personnel, those kinds of things, and you're always looking to grow and just learn lessons from that. So we took those couple of days and then emphasized that in practice on Wednesday. Flipping gears on Thursday, practiced with an emphasis on Nebraska, and then we did that on Sunday as well, so gave Friday and Saturday to the guys. We did a heavy level of recruiting, Thursday evening and Friday, all day watching guys. The big goal coming back is improvement on what we learned, right? Emphasize that and recovery, some bumps and bruises, midseason healthy, getting refreshed and refocused. After four games, going into a stint, I know we are one game at a time, but this is five straight here. I was pleased with the work we got done yesterday, as a team. And so heading toward a big opportunity back in this league, conference play and it's in a tough environment, going back on the road. (Nebraska Head Coach Matt) Rhule has done a nice job there, he's got a good football team, they can score points, the quarterback is one of the better ones we're going to play. You can see their stats and points scored, passing yards and those things. I think defensively, they hold their own, done some really good things, especially in the back in pass defense. You look at it, it stands out on all the tape. We get a real, real challenge coming on Saturday.
On injury updates…
A couple of updates, I haven't talked to you in a minute, just on the injury side, (redshirt senior LB) Wayne Matthews was able to fly back with us that night of the (USC) game, and giving credit to our medical team, medical staff, through protocols on the expertise side of that, actually was able to move around late in the week. It's nice to have the bye for him to adjust, so he's been able to lightly practice and see how it goes through the week, but he's got a chance to play this Saturday. Same with (senior safety) Nikai (Martinez) and (graduate DL) Quindarius Dunnigan. I think they have a chance this weekend. Quandarius and Nikai were limited yesterday, but we'll see by the end of the week. (Redshirt sophomore OL) Stanton Ramil will be a little bit longer, he's closer to a month on that, so he will not be going this week. And then you know it's that time of year in the middle of the season, and then you say with all the bumps and bruises, next guy up, all of that.
On offensive linemen stepping up in place of injuries…
That's kind of the conversation of what our best answer is going to be over there. (Redshirt freshman OL) Rustin (Young) got thrown in there in the first quarter (at USC), and he did some good things throughout the night, especially on the edge, USC presents some problems on the edge. I thought Rustin held his own and battled through the night. And then with the bye, you get a chance to look at a couple of different options, because (redshirt junior OL) Conner (Moore) has some experience over there, obviously (redshirt junior OL) (Ashton) Lepo and then Rustin. Can't say today exactly how we will play that out, we're probably not going to tell Coach Rhule right here on a Monday, but we've got some options.
On the defense…
It's glaring, game four versus game one through three in regards to run defense. We've got to be able to make people one-handed, to be honest with you, you can't have that kind of balance, that was out of the ordinary, so we took a deep look at that. It never is, but it's not just one thing, we got out of our gap, misaligned, we got too much movement sometimes in our blitzes and schemes…We got to play some tighter coverages to force people out of the run game and make it challenging there. So it was good in regards to looking at four games. There are always opportunities to improve and we needed to do it.
On the injury status of redshirt freshman LB Brady Pretzlaff…
Brady will not be going the rest of this year due to injury.
On improvements from 2024 and why pass rush hasn't been one…
You are pleased with some growth. I think with balance, you talk about it offensively, with our ability to push the ball in the pass game. I think the tackles for loss when we're playing offense is down, which has allowed our efficiency to be a little better, really pleased with that.
On the pass rush side, we are still kind of searching for. We have played some teams where the ball comes out quick and haven't had that many opportunities. Finding a way to affect the passer is not just in the sack column, we got to be better in affecting the passer. It goes back to some of these down and distances. The more third-and-longs, the better chance you have to get around the guy. It's going to be a group effort, whether it's down and distance, secondary, having tighter coverage and making them hold the ball a bit longer, and then winning some one-on-ones needs to get better.
On wanting to see more explosive plays on offense…
Those big plays, we want them to show up. We want it to be not just because we throw it 50 yards, we want it to find plays where a guy catches it eight, 10, 12 yards deep and turns it into big ones. I would love the run game to continue to grow where some six, eight, 10-yard runs turn into 25 or 30. It helps the offense when you can do that. I will say we are pleased, when you look at the efficiency, just at the possession in regards to getting points per possession, it's been a lot better than maybe a year ago, and we want to continue on that trend.
On having a September bye week…
I do think it's important to take a day to get away from it and have some normalcy, not just for myself, but for the whole staff and everybody did their own things. I spent some time with the family, did a couple of things around the house, but at the same time the TV was on, I couldn't help from watching some of these games. It was good to have a perspective, you see all of these games going on and how competitive it is, a lot of these games come down to two or three plays. Watching some of these games, call it halftime, I'm not even certain if that's half of the game. After the first half, there's so much football left in the second half and multiple of them went to overtime, so that's how I spent my Saturday.
On if the bye week helped sophomore WR Nick Marsh get back to 100 percent health…
I think the limitation, one you are talking physically, he was close to 100, not 100, but he was close. When you think about the limitations, how limited he was through the week, and so how many reps he got in situations. Timing is a factor, so to take the week where he got a limited amount of reps that way, I think that was the greater limitation in regards to not knowing how many plays, if at all if he was going to get in, and then putting a plan together throughout the week where he's 50-50. I think that held his limitation, and that was the biggest factor of the week.
On true freshman redshirting…
Aydan West and Jack Wills, they are going (to play the rest of the year). (Jayden) Savoury, we had thorough conversations as of last week, I think the intention right now is for him to continue to go and play. (Derrick) Simmons (three games) we have our eyes on, see how these next few play out in regards to the rotation. We really like both those guys. Don't know on Simmons quite yet, using a redshirt year or not. Savoury, I would anticipate him going (playing).
On what redshirt senior center Matt Gulbin has brought to the group…
Really consistent. We are running a different scheme to what he was doing his first three years of college (at Wake Forest). Consistent, he's adapted, I think he makes a lot of calls and things like that. There are some times the difference in scheme that he did three years over there then showing up here shows up once in a while where he's still working his way out of that. But I think he's playing at a high level at center, where he's playing full time, he spent a decent amount of time at guard previously. He's been an anchor to that O-line.
On having a tough schedule ahead…
That's what we love being a part of. This Big Ten Conference is week in and week out, you got to bring your fastball. You have to bring your A-game, it's tough to win games. It's another thing I observed watching some of these games on Saturday, how competitive it is. It is hard to win, easy to lose. Each week has a life of its own. I talked to the team about that yesterday, you play a game, you learn from it, but the previous game does not determine and define what the next game is going to be about. We are going to get into this gauntlet and each week is its own process, and we are excited for the challenge that it presents.
On if an early bye week can take the edge off or energize the team…
I think it's more the energy. These guys have been working really hard, it's not completely off, we are practicing, they're still in it, but I do think there is value in being away from it for a couple of days away from it. It brings back some re-energy, and to be excited about what they get to do and the opportunities in front of it. I think that's been the mindset of these guys this last week.
On what senior DB Malik Spencer means to the team…
Well, his experience shows, he's been in a lot of football. His energy radiates on that defensive side, his voice, his experience with his voice in regards to checks, communications, in and out of the play. On the sideline, I think guys look up to him, this game means a lot to him, with the way he practices, understands he wants to go full speed in practices that it is going to show up on Saturdays. He's that type of player.
On the offensive red zone success being improved from 2024…
We didn't deeply study last year in any way (during the bye), but I know this year, if you can run the ball down there, it sets up some play action passes, where we've seen some of that. The versatility of your quarterback has helped in regards to extending the play or running the quarterback. I think our repertoire has expanded in these first four games. I think it's a massive difference, the seven versus three points, or obviously zero. We've had some effective play in the run game and quarterback down there.
On what jumps out about the Nebraska offense and sophomore QB Dylan Raiola…
The passing game, they are just so effective with it, and it's blended with some run-pass options, so RPOs. The quarterback can change his arm angle. He's a gifted player. He can extend a play, yes, change his arm angle, their efficiency, their ability to stay out of third and long because of the passing. He's got some weapons he can throw it to, and they've got some good coaches over there. Coach Rhule and (Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana) Coach Holgorsen, they know what they are doing offensively, and it shows up on tape. I think they are close to leading the country in some of these stats with points and passing offense.
Michigan State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) takes on the Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT in Lincoln. The game will be televised on FS1.
TV NETWORK UPDATE
The Big Ten Conference announced that Michigan State's Homecoming game at 12 p.m. against UCLA will be televised on the Big Ten Network. The kickoff time was previously announced in May.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith
Opening statement…
The bye week, kind of approached it early in the week to take a deep look at ourselves and on Monday and Tuesday, did a lot of self-scouting, trying to learn from our first four games on what we put out on tape, what we do well, what we've been able to do better. Just kind of an evaluation of schemes, personnel, those kinds of things, and you're always looking to grow and just learn lessons from that. So we took those couple of days and then emphasized that in practice on Wednesday. Flipping gears on Thursday, practiced with an emphasis on Nebraska, and then we did that on Sunday as well, so gave Friday and Saturday to the guys. We did a heavy level of recruiting, Thursday evening and Friday, all day watching guys. The big goal coming back is improvement on what we learned, right? Emphasize that and recovery, some bumps and bruises, midseason healthy, getting refreshed and refocused. After four games, going into a stint, I know we are one game at a time, but this is five straight here. I was pleased with the work we got done yesterday, as a team. And so heading toward a big opportunity back in this league, conference play and it's in a tough environment, going back on the road. (Nebraska Head Coach Matt) Rhule has done a nice job there, he's got a good football team, they can score points, the quarterback is one of the better ones we're going to play. You can see their stats and points scored, passing yards and those things. I think defensively, they hold their own, done some really good things, especially in the back in pass defense. You look at it, it stands out on all the tape. We get a real, real challenge coming on Saturday.
On injury updates…
A couple of updates, I haven't talked to you in a minute, just on the injury side, (redshirt senior LB) Wayne Matthews was able to fly back with us that night of the (USC) game, and giving credit to our medical team, medical staff, through protocols on the expertise side of that, actually was able to move around late in the week. It's nice to have the bye for him to adjust, so he's been able to lightly practice and see how it goes through the week, but he's got a chance to play this Saturday. Same with (senior safety) Nikai (Martinez) and (graduate DL) Quindarius Dunnigan. I think they have a chance this weekend. Quandarius and Nikai were limited yesterday, but we'll see by the end of the week. (Redshirt sophomore OL) Stanton Ramil will be a little bit longer, he's closer to a month on that, so he will not be going this week. And then you know it's that time of year in the middle of the season, and then you say with all the bumps and bruises, next guy up, all of that.
On offensive linemen stepping up in place of injuries…
That's kind of the conversation of what our best answer is going to be over there. (Redshirt freshman OL) Rustin (Young) got thrown in there in the first quarter (at USC), and he did some good things throughout the night, especially on the edge, USC presents some problems on the edge. I thought Rustin held his own and battled through the night. And then with the bye, you get a chance to look at a couple of different options, because (redshirt junior OL) Conner (Moore) has some experience over there, obviously (redshirt junior OL) (Ashton) Lepo and then Rustin. Can't say today exactly how we will play that out, we're probably not going to tell Coach Rhule right here on a Monday, but we've got some options.
On the defense…
It's glaring, game four versus game one through three in regards to run defense. We've got to be able to make people one-handed, to be honest with you, you can't have that kind of balance, that was out of the ordinary, so we took a deep look at that. It never is, but it's not just one thing, we got out of our gap, misaligned, we got too much movement sometimes in our blitzes and schemes…We got to play some tighter coverages to force people out of the run game and make it challenging there. So it was good in regards to looking at four games. There are always opportunities to improve and we needed to do it.
On the injury status of redshirt freshman LB Brady Pretzlaff…
Brady will not be going the rest of this year due to injury.
On improvements from 2024 and why pass rush hasn't been one…
You are pleased with some growth. I think with balance, you talk about it offensively, with our ability to push the ball in the pass game. I think the tackles for loss when we're playing offense is down, which has allowed our efficiency to be a little better, really pleased with that.
On the pass rush side, we are still kind of searching for. We have played some teams where the ball comes out quick and haven't had that many opportunities. Finding a way to affect the passer is not just in the sack column, we got to be better in affecting the passer. It goes back to some of these down and distances. The more third-and-longs, the better chance you have to get around the guy. It's going to be a group effort, whether it's down and distance, secondary, having tighter coverage and making them hold the ball a bit longer, and then winning some one-on-ones needs to get better.
On wanting to see more explosive plays on offense…
Those big plays, we want them to show up. We want it to be not just because we throw it 50 yards, we want it to find plays where a guy catches it eight, 10, 12 yards deep and turns it into big ones. I would love the run game to continue to grow where some six, eight, 10-yard runs turn into 25 or 30. It helps the offense when you can do that. I will say we are pleased, when you look at the efficiency, just at the possession in regards to getting points per possession, it's been a lot better than maybe a year ago, and we want to continue on that trend.
On having a September bye week…
I do think it's important to take a day to get away from it and have some normalcy, not just for myself, but for the whole staff and everybody did their own things. I spent some time with the family, did a couple of things around the house, but at the same time the TV was on, I couldn't help from watching some of these games. It was good to have a perspective, you see all of these games going on and how competitive it is, a lot of these games come down to two or three plays. Watching some of these games, call it halftime, I'm not even certain if that's half of the game. After the first half, there's so much football left in the second half and multiple of them went to overtime, so that's how I spent my Saturday.
On if the bye week helped sophomore WR Nick Marsh get back to 100 percent health…
I think the limitation, one you are talking physically, he was close to 100, not 100, but he was close. When you think about the limitations, how limited he was through the week, and so how many reps he got in situations. Timing is a factor, so to take the week where he got a limited amount of reps that way, I think that was the greater limitation in regards to not knowing how many plays, if at all if he was going to get in, and then putting a plan together throughout the week where he's 50-50. I think that held his limitation, and that was the biggest factor of the week.
On true freshman redshirting…
Aydan West and Jack Wills, they are going (to play the rest of the year). (Jayden) Savoury, we had thorough conversations as of last week, I think the intention right now is for him to continue to go and play. (Derrick) Simmons (three games) we have our eyes on, see how these next few play out in regards to the rotation. We really like both those guys. Don't know on Simmons quite yet, using a redshirt year or not. Savoury, I would anticipate him going (playing).
On what redshirt senior center Matt Gulbin has brought to the group…
Really consistent. We are running a different scheme to what he was doing his first three years of college (at Wake Forest). Consistent, he's adapted, I think he makes a lot of calls and things like that. There are some times the difference in scheme that he did three years over there then showing up here shows up once in a while where he's still working his way out of that. But I think he's playing at a high level at center, where he's playing full time, he spent a decent amount of time at guard previously. He's been an anchor to that O-line.
On having a tough schedule ahead…
That's what we love being a part of. This Big Ten Conference is week in and week out, you got to bring your fastball. You have to bring your A-game, it's tough to win games. It's another thing I observed watching some of these games on Saturday, how competitive it is. It is hard to win, easy to lose. Each week has a life of its own. I talked to the team about that yesterday, you play a game, you learn from it, but the previous game does not determine and define what the next game is going to be about. We are going to get into this gauntlet and each week is its own process, and we are excited for the challenge that it presents.
On if an early bye week can take the edge off or energize the team…
I think it's more the energy. These guys have been working really hard, it's not completely off, we are practicing, they're still in it, but I do think there is value in being away from it for a couple of days away from it. It brings back some re-energy, and to be excited about what they get to do and the opportunities in front of it. I think that's been the mindset of these guys this last week.
On what senior DB Malik Spencer means to the team…
Well, his experience shows, he's been in a lot of football. His energy radiates on that defensive side, his voice, his experience with his voice in regards to checks, communications, in and out of the play. On the sideline, I think guys look up to him, this game means a lot to him, with the way he practices, understands he wants to go full speed in practices that it is going to show up on Saturdays. He's that type of player.
On the offensive red zone success being improved from 2024…
We didn't deeply study last year in any way (during the bye), but I know this year, if you can run the ball down there, it sets up some play action passes, where we've seen some of that. The versatility of your quarterback has helped in regards to extending the play or running the quarterback. I think our repertoire has expanded in these first four games. I think it's a massive difference, the seven versus three points, or obviously zero. We've had some effective play in the run game and quarterback down there.
On what jumps out about the Nebraska offense and sophomore QB Dylan Raiola…
The passing game, they are just so effective with it, and it's blended with some run-pass options, so RPOs. The quarterback can change his arm angle. He's a gifted player. He can extend a play, yes, change his arm angle, their efficiency, their ability to stay out of third and long because of the passing. He's got some weapons he can throw it to, and they've got some good coaches over there. Coach Rhule and (Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana) Coach Holgorsen, they know what they are doing offensively, and it shows up on tape. I think they are close to leading the country in some of these stats with points and passing offense.
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