What Michigan State football offensive snap counts against Boston College reveal

On Saturday, Michigan State football faced their first true test of the season, taking down the Boston College Eagles in double overtime, 42-40. The Spartans entered the game with tons of questions, and offensively, MSU answered the bell. In their first competitive game, you can see how the depth chart began to unfold.

All snap counts are out of 70 for the offense, for the second consecutive week. Starters will be italicized. For last week’s snap counts, check out this article.

Quarterback

Aidan Chiles: (70) 100%

Chiles overcame adversity, with an injury on the final Spartan offensive play of regulation. However, in the time it took for overtime, the signal caller was able to recover and drive Michigan State football towards two touchdowns, plus the crucial 2pt conversion to Omari Kelly. Shoutout to Alessio Milivojevic for staying ready for overtime, however.

Running back

Makhi Frazier: (44) 63%

Brandon Tullis: (22) 31%

Elijah Tau-Tolliver: (6) 8.5%

It appears that there is clear separation in the running back battle, with Frazier’s snaps doubling Tullis’s. Tau-Tolliver came in for a brief spell in the fourth quarter, when Frazier had a fumble and Tullis had issues in pass protection. However, in overtime, there was a snap where both Tullis and Frazier split the backfield. Once again, Jace Clarizio did not play on Saturday, with the freshman not dressing.

Fullback

Jay Coyne: (6) 8.5%

Coyne was only on field for six offensive snaps on Saturday, but none were bigger than his overtime touchdown to strike first in OT1.  His first career touchdown came on the biggest stage of his career.

Wide Receiver

Nick Marsh: (69) 98.5%

Omari Kelly: (61) 87%

Chrishon McCray: (37) 53%

Rod Bullard Jr.: (6) 8.5%

Alante Brown: (1) 1%

The receiver room saw clear separation on Saturday, with Evan Boyd falling out of the rotation, Rod Bullard Jr. seeing significantly less snaps than week one, and Chrishon McCray making plays. Shout out to Alante Brown for his kickoff return plays, as well. Bullard also should have drawn a flag for defensive pass interference during the game. Overall, a very solid game for this group. That said, Marsh, Kelly, and McCray appear to be the “big three” receivers for Michigan State football.

Tight End

Jack Velling: (60) 86%

Michael Masunas: (34) 48.5%

Jayden Savoury: (2) 3%

Brennan Parachek: (2) 3%

Where one room closes, another opens slightly. The Spartans saw two tight ends make their season debut, with Parachek and Savoury each playing a pair of snaps. Parachek was in a battle with Masunas for TE2 last year before a season ending injury to Masunas, but it appears that the redshirt junior Masunas has completely surpassed Parachek now. Kai Rios did not play on offense this Saturday, but Savoury came in for two passes. If the staff decides to burn the freshman’s redshirt, my only request is to make it worth it. Do not burn the redshirt for less than 50 offensive snaps on the season.

Offensive Line

Matt Gulbin: (70) 100%

Stanton Ramil: (59) 84%

Caleb Carter: (53) 76%

Conner Moore: (50) 71%

Kristian Phillips: (39) 56%

Luka Vincic: (31) 44%

Ashton Lepo: (31) 44%

Gavin Broscious: (17) 24%

The big changes here were Luka Vincic being healthy and playing, alongside Phillips starting over Broscious. It appears that Brocious is the play being phased out of the rotation here, with the guard playing significantly less snaps than his counterparts. That, or junior got banged up for a series or two.