Michigan State's Brian Lewerke frustrated with offense in scrimmage

EAST LANSING – Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio did not say much about Friday’s first scrimmage, though the defense emerged victorious and was wearing the green jerseys in practice Tuesday that go to the winner.

“Coach D tried to put us in a bunch of sudden changes,” junior linebacker Joe Bachie said, “and we responded well every time. … The defense overall just played well.”

The Spartans worked for “100-plus plays, easily — plus, plus, plus 100 plays,” Dantonio said .

“We played a lot and got a lot of guys working. And we really got a chance to get our younger players on film a lot. I thought that was important to see where they were at and see the way they stood up,” Dantonio said. “I think obviously, usually the defense seems to be ahead of the offense a little bit in these situations. But there were some good things offensively, too.”

One player in particular was dissatisfied with his performance: quarterback Brian Lewerke.

“It was a little frustrating for me,” the junior said. “We still need to start clicking on offense, but that’s why we practice and that’s why we come out here, to correct those things. The offense struggled a little bit, but it’s something we gotta fix.”

MSU scrimmages again Friday, an important one for the offense, then one more time during camp.

“The last scrimmage is more rehearsal, for the (second- and third-string players) to get acclimated,” Lewerke said. “So the second one is the biggest one we have. We definitely want to be able to win this one.”

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Corner competition

With sophomore Josiah Scott sidelined for about two months with a left leg injury, the scrimmage allowed coaches to get a look at his potential replacements.

Dantonio said sophomore Tre Person “is having a good camp” at cornerback, while adding that junior Josh Butler “has been very solid.” He also cited two young players – redshirt freshman Shakur Brown as “a guy that has made plays,” and true freshman Kalon Gervin, who “looks good as well.”

“Everybody is competing,” Gervin said after practice Tuesday.

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End game

At defensive end, Dantonio hinted that sophomore Jacub Panasiuk could have the lead to start opposite junior Kenny Willekes, but also he added that redshirt freshman Jack Camper “had a good scrimmage.”

The Spartans, who return 19 of 22 starters, have two open spots on defense to fill with the graduation losses of defensive end Demetrius Cooper and linebacker Chris Frey.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari.