Offensive Snap Counts for Michigan State football’s gritty win over YSU

On Saturday, Michigan State football looked to finish their out-of-conference slate 3-0, and they did, but at what cost? The Spartans took over late, but it was a closer-than-expected win with multiple concerning injuries. While a win is a win, the snap count usage was not skewed in favor of the young players.

As always, starters will be italicized. All percentages will be out of the offense’s 63 snaps on Saturday. For last week’s snap counts, check here.

Quarterback

Aidan Chiles: (63) 100%

Whenever you’re playing a lower division opponent, the goal is to get the backup quarterback some mop up duty. Unfortunately, Michigan State football could not accomplish that. Aidan Chiles led the Spartans in rushing and passing on Saturday, but did throw his first interception. In Chiles’ defense, a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage will happen. It has still been a great start to the season for the junior.

Unfortunately, backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic now enters Big Ten play with his only two career passes being interceptions.

Running back

Brandon Tullis: (30) 48%

Makhi Frazier: (24) 38%

Elijah Tau-Tolliver: (9) 14%

Well, here comes the cause for concern. The Spartans played Makhi Frazier well into the contest and it bit them. Frazier was seen exiting Spartan Stadium in a walking boot, and was ruled as questionable for next Saturday’s USC contest. Brandon Tullis had another bad pass block on Chiles’ only interception, but Elijah Tau-Tolliver had his first Spartan touchdown.

If Frazier is not cleared to go, the Spartans might be down to two running backs for the USC game. Additionally, Jace Clarizio’s injury is lingering. Freshman Zion Gist may be in line for his first game action soon.

Fullback

Jay Coyne: (7) 11%

The Spartans did not utilize power formations much on Saturday, partially due to the overaggressive Penguin defense. With YSU clamping most runs, Coyne spent most of the game on the sideline.

Tight End

Jack Velling: (47) 75%

Michael Masunas: (33) 52%

Brennan Parachek: (8) 13%

Jayden Savoury: (6) 9.5%

Velling and Masunas had days to remember on Saturday, with Velling tying his career high in catches, with six, and Masunas recording his longest career reception, alongside his second career touchdown, with a 28-yard touchdown. Parachek got a bit more action, and Savoury appeared to be thrown in as a decoy for the most part, with the Spartans putting some tape of him in run block situations to coach the freshman up and prevent teams from being too set on the freshman being pass exclusive situations.

Wide Receiver

Omari Kelly: (48) 76%

Evan Boyd: (42) 67%

Chrishon McCray: (31) 49%

Nick Marsh: (17) 27%

Rod Bullard Jr.: (13) 21%

Marsh started the game on fire, blazing his way to 94 receiving yards while catching all six of his targets. Unfortunately, he was also bit by the injury bug, and is questionable for the USC contest. That gave Evan Boyd his most extensive action as a Spartan, but his two targets did not result in his first catch.

Bullard recorded an impressive first catch as a Spartan, and his first touchdown, this coming from an end-around. McCray added eight yards on his only target, and Omari Kelly had four catches for 49 yards. Not a bad day from the receiving corps, but Nick Marsh carried the group, and his injury draws some concern.

Worse yet, core special teamer and sixth receiver in the rotation Alante Brown got injured in warmups and has a “long term” injury, per Jonathan Smith.

Offensive Line

Matt Gulbin: (63) 100%

Conner Moore: (59) 94%

Caleb Carter: (41) 65%

Gavin Broscious: (38) 60%

Stanton Ramil: (37) 59%

Kristian Phillips: (31) 49%

Rustin Young: (26) 41%

Luka Vincic: (16) 25%

Rakeem Johnson: (4) 6%

In the final out-of-conference matchup for the Spartans, the offensive line room rotated a ton of bodies. At first glance, that seems great. However, with context, there is alarming concern. Moore, Phillips, and Ramil all suffered injuries during the game and missed periods of time.

Worst of all, the Spartans lost their starting right guard to a season-ending injury against an FCS opponent for the second straight year. Vincic made his first start in the green and white, but a lower body injury resulted in the Oregon State transfer being carted off the field at halftime. His injury was revealed as very likely season-ending.

Michigan State football also enters Big Ten play with Matt Gulbin having handled every snap to Chiles so far this year. Outside of a handful of 2024 reps for Cooper Terpstra, the Spartans are limited in center experience this year.

Rustin Young and Rakeem Johnson each made their offensive debuts after playing on special teams in the first pair of games, too.

Overall, a lot will be proven about team health and the snap counts next week. I’m concerned more than ever.