Michigan State Football Vs. Toledo Snap Counts and Assessments

On Friday, the Pat Fitzgerald era started with Michigan State football taking on traditional Mid-American Conference powerhouse Toledo. The Spartans fired off strong, but failed to finish drives, ultimately leading to the Rockets mounting a comeback and taking a fourth quarter lead before the Spartans pulled away late.

With the dawn of the Fitzgerald era, it was the first chance to observe how many Spartans played, and how their snap counts broke down in lieu of a traditional depth chart. Overall, the Spartans sent out 24 players on offense and 19 on defense in the opener.

Using PFF, here is how the Spartan snap counts broke down in the season opener.

Michigan State Football Offensive Snap Counts

(Note: This is out of 88 snaps, percentages will be in parentheses. Starters are bolded.)

• IOL Conner Moore: 88 (100%)
• OT Rakeem Johnson: 88 (100%)
• IOL Trent Fraley: 88 (100%)
• QB Alessio Milivojevic: 87 (99%)
• WR Rod Bullard Jr.: 73 (83%)
• WR Fredrick Moore: 73 (83%)
• IOL Nick Sharpe: 70 (79.5%)
• WR Chrishon McCray: 69 (78%)
• OT Ben Murawski: 55 (62.5%)
• TE Brennan Parachek: 51 (58%)
• RB Cam Edwards: 51 (58%)
• TE Jayden Savoury: 39 (44%)
• OT Robert Wright Jr.: 33 (37.5%)
• RB Jaziun Patterson: 25 (28%)
• IOL Luka Vincic: 18 (20.5%)
• RB Marvis Parrish: 16 (18%)
• WR Bryson Williams: 15 (17%)
• WR KK Smith: 11 (12.5%)
• TE Kai Rios: 7 (8%)
• TE/OL Antonio Johnson: 5 (6%)
• RB Kenneth Williams: 2 (2%)
• RB Brandon Tullis: 2 (2%)
• TE Carson Gulker: 1 (1%)
• QB Cam Fancher: 1 (1%)

The big surprise here is Antonio Johnson getting run time as the “jumbo” package tight end, donning the No. 80, along with seeing a Cam Fancher designated play. Fredrick Moore got the start at receiver despite not receiving many mentions during summer camp.

Gadget player Carson Gulker only saw one snap on offense. Kenneth Williams and Brandon Tullis each have unique packages. Both of Tullis’s snaps were alongside Edwards in wildcat formation.

It is worth noting that Edwards, McCray, Murawski, and Parrish all received attention for injuries or cramping during the game, affecting their snap counts.

Defensive Snap Counts

(Note: This is out of 45 defensive snaps. Starters are bolded.)

• S Nikai Martinez: 45 (100%)
• LB Brady Pretzlaff: 44 (98%)
• S Devin Vaught: 44 (98%)
• DB Michael Richard: 42 (93%)
• CB Tre Bell: 42 (93%)
• EDGE Kenny Soares Jr.: 38 (84%)
• DT Eli Coenen: 33 (73%)
• CB Tyran Chappell: 30 (67%)
• DE Keanhist Thompson: 28 (62%)
• LB Jordan Hall: 25 (55.5%)
• DT Ben Roberts: 22 (49%)
• LB Caleb Wheatland: 22 (49%)
• CB Charles Brantley: 19 (42%)
• DT Mikeshun Beeler: 18 (40%)
• EDGE Anelu Lafaele: 18 (40%)
• DL Derrick Simmons: 13 (29%)
• DL Trey Lisle III: 5 (11%)
• DE Isaac Smith: 5 (11%)
• LB Cam Stodghill: 1 (2%)

The big surprise of the group was Brady Pretzlaff stepping up for almost every snap in his first career start. Joe Rossi had told the media that Pretzlaff would have “a big role,” but a near-iron man performance was a pleasant surprise. Mikeshun Beeler receiving more time than Simmons was a surprise, as well.

Some poor play by Charles Brantley led to a benching and replacement by Tyran Chappell.

It is worth noting that Ben Roberts and Jordan Hall spent time in the medical tent with injuries and were limited the rest of the game.