Michigan State 1st nationally in 3rd-down defense, wants more pressure vs. Notre Dame

EAST LANSING – It’s only been two games, as Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly was quick to point out, but Michigan State shows dramatic improvement from a year ago in one of its key areas of offseason emphasis.

Getting off the field on third down.

A year ago, opponents moved the chains 42% of the time in third-down situations. That kept the Spartans’ defense on the field longer, which showed in second-half fades throughout a 3-9 season.

Check the stats this week – Kelly did – and MSU ranks first in the nation, having allowed just 10.7% conversion rate.

“They've got a nice third-down package that’s difficult sometimes to know where pressures are coming from,” Kelly told reporters Tuesday. “They've got some guys that come in on third down that can, you know, bring some pressures.”

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The Spartans believe that increased aggressiveness in the front seven has been a major reason for their 2-0 start, and they also know it will be critical to maintain that when they host the 2-1 Irish on Saturday at Spartan Stadium (8 p.m./Fox).

“A lot of times our D-line is gonna have to take on a double-team and hold two guys or knock off a puller,” senior linebacker Chris Frey said. “That’s huge, that’s key for us to make plays on their side of the ball and get pressure in their backfield.”

MSU mainly has rotated six defensive ends and four tackles throughout wins over Bowling Green and Western Michigan before last week’s bye. Kenny Willekes and Dillon Alexander have started both games and are more run-stopping edge players, while Jacub Panasiuk and Robert Bowers also have seen action at end for a defense that’s allowing just 91.5 rushing yards and 205.5 passing yards a game.

But it’s the Spartans’ third-down package where the changes are noticeable, with a change to more of a three-man front. Redshirt freshman Brandon Randle and senior Demetrius Cooper are serving as pass-rushing ends. That also has helped MSU get five sacks already after generating just 11 all last season with just 38 quarterback hurries in going 3-9.

“We have a lot of different looks we’ve used so far, a lot of different looks we haven’t shown yet that we’re excited about,” co-defensive coordinator Mike Tressesl said Wednesday. “But the bottom line is Coop not having to have played 70 plays before he has to rush that passer on third down makes a huge difference. The fact that we have some energy guys in Willekes and Dillon Alexander, who are demonstrating to everybody that this is how we play Spartan football.

“Guys that have specific roles and can really take pride in those roles and really sell out in those roles, all those things help.”

That all has aided the Spartans in limiting their two opponents to just 118 plays combined. And it has helped MSU’s offense rank eighth nationally in time of possession at 35:25 per game.

The Spartans’ front seven had one of their best games last year at Notre Dame in a 36-28 victory. That included two sacks and five quarterback hurries of future pro DeShone Kizer. Kelly said he has seen the Spartans “mix it up very good with their pressure package” so far this season.

Though Notre Dame so far this year has been a run-heavy team, the Spartans expect quarterback Brandon Wimbush to put the ball up on them despite his early struggles with accuracy. That means they have to be prepared for a big wide receiving corps that likes to play physical.

But it doesn’t necessarily have to result in completions.

Kelly attacked MSU’s “No Fly Zone” secondary in 2013, with the Irish drawing four pass interference infractions and one defensive holding penalty against future first-round NFL picks Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes. Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees that day in South Bend finished just 14-for-34 for 142 yards, but he also added 70 penalty yards with those calls that proved costly in the Spartans’ only loss that season, 17-13.

Frey said that is something MSU coaches remind their players “every year.” He said they expect it “every year, but definitely this year.”

“Brian Kelly likes to throw it deep. There’s no doubt about it,” Tressel said. “He is not hesitant about telling us as coaches in the offseason that, ‘Hey, you’re going to see 20 deep balls during the game.’ So we’re preparing for that. Bottom line is, you have to make plays on the ball in the back end.”

Getting more pressure up front is critical in helping combat that, especially with MSU’s press man-to-man coverage against receivers.

“We know they’re a deep-ball team. We know they like to take shots,” linebacker Andrew Dowell said. “And they’ve got the receivers and tight ends to take shots – 6-4, 6-5 guys that can go up and get the ball – so our DBs will have to be locked up this game. And it will start with pressure up front from the D-line and the linebackers.”