Michigan State football freshman tracker at Nebraska

On Saturday, Michigan State football headed out to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take on the Cornhuskers. The Spartans showed good fight, taking a brief 21-14 lead, but gave up 24 points straight to ultimately lose 38-27. A few freshman got in on the action, which was unsurprising after Jonathan Smith’s announcement earlier in the week, announcing three freshman will not be redshirting.

With this game being on the road, it also gave a glimpse at how the travel roster is shaking out week to week. The only difference game-by-game was that freshman wide receiver Braylon Collier did not travel with the team. Instead, redshirt sophomore Jack Yanachik rounded out the receivers in Lincoln. For a full lust of the freshmen that travelled last week (and this week, sans Collier), check the week four freshman tracker.

Collier did not show up on the injury report, but any freshmen that has yet to play a game would not show up on the report. This is something to monitor the next two weeks, with the next home game and next travel roster.

Additionally, this was the fifth game of the season, meaning that two freshmen had officially burned their redshirts.

Defensive lineman Derrick Simmons did not play on Saturday, which was expected, as the staff met during the bye week and are considering a redshirt for the Frankenmuth (MI.) four-star.

Who played, how did they play, and who is not redshirting? Find out in the Week Six edition of the freshmen tracker.

Jayden Savoury, TE

Jayden Savoury played in his fourth game of the season, playing on special teams and four snaps on offense. The tight end showed solid blocking, including a cross-formation seal block that helped spring Makhi Frazier for one of his longest runs of the game.

As always, my complaint for Savoury is that there should be more action for the Orchard Lake (MI.) product. While it is assured he will not be redshirting, it is worth noting that he has played 12 offensive snaps through four games. The hope is that the number will increase.

Also, there is a small trend with Savoury. He has yet to play a single snap of pass protection. Hopefully the staff gives the freshmen this chance, to avoid making the team predictable on trends.

Jack Wills, LS

Unfortunately for Jack Wills, his first extreme road environment got to his. Wills had a penalty for an early snap, along with a punt being blocked, on back-to-back snaps. The penalty was confusing, as it did not appear anyone was standing over the snap, so the assumption he was “all clear” to snap.

However, on the punt that was blocked, it appears that not everyone was on the same page. The right side, particularly gunner Dontavius Nash, was still checking his alignment when the ball was snapped. Granted, that can fall on any of the upbacks or the players around Wills.

Wills recovered well, with every other snap being on target. This was his fifth game, meaning his redshirt has been burned.

Aydan West, DB

West burned his redshirt on the opening kickoff return, playing his fifth game of the season. With Joshua Eaton going down from injury multiple times during the contest, West was called upon for a career-high 26 defensive snaps.

Unfortunately, he also gave up a career-high two catches for 18 yards in both targets with him in coverage. Additionally, he was whistled for a special teams penalty, recording a false start on the opening punt of the game. He did tie his career mark with two tackles on the contest, though. West played over Chance Rucker on Saturday, as Rucker was only on the field for three snaps.

This upcoming week brings UCLA to town, with the Spartans favorited. For some players, this might be their last chance to make their Spartan debut.