Spartan special teams play virtually perfect in victory

EAST LANSING - The casual fan often overlooks the importance of special teams.

A football coach doesn't.

In Michigan State's 42-10 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday, the Spartans special teams were almost flawless in every facet.

"I thought special teamswise we were very solid," coach Mark Dantonio said Sunday. "We had great punt returns - Otis Wiley and the return team did a great job in terms of the blocks after the catch. Kickoff returns continue to be a weapon for us."

The senior free safety Wiley had five punt returns for 113 yards, including a 78-yarder in the fourth quarter. The 113 yards is tied for fourth-highest total in school history. A year ago, the Spartans returned 31 punts for a total of 126 yards as a team.

"It's fun doing it, and I know that they trust me doing it," Wiley said about returning punts. "It was kind of up in the air of who was going to be the punt returner, but its fun that I created a lot of plays."

Javon Ringer also had a pair of kickoff returns for 62 yards, giving the offense good field position.

A week ago, in the loss at California, MSU was sloppy on in the kicking game. The Spartans had a punt blocked for a touchdown, missed a field goal and allowed 104 yards to Cal speedster Jahvid Best on just four return.

Yet after a week of practicing to correct the mistakes, the kicking game was a lot better Saturday.

With the NCAA changing the kickoff point from the 35-yard line a year ago to the 30-yard line this year, more kick returns and better field position for the receiving team was expected. However on Saturday, kickoff specialist Todd Boleski sent nearly 43 percent of his kicks downfield for touchbacks and took away any potential return advantage.

For the game, Boleski's seven kickoffs went 475 yards.

"Boleski kicking the ball into the end zone three times gives us a huge weapon when you're kicking off from the 30-yard line." Dantonio said.

Maybe the most scrutinized member of the special teams units following the Cal game was sophomore punter Aaron Bates. His blocked punt in the first half allowed the Golden Bears to open an early 7-0 lead.

To his credit, the New Concord, Ohio native responded with a great performance on Saturday. Bates totaled 118 yards on just three punts, which is a good indicator for how successful the offense was against the Eagles.

All three kicks were of the "pooch punt" variety, and Bates made two of them drop inside the 5-yard line. The other went into the end zone for a touchback.

"Bates putting the ball inside the 5 twice ... (he was) very solid in that aspect." Dantonio said.

Kicker Brett Swenson had a relatively easy day, making his six extra-point attempts.

INJURY UPDATE: Dantonio said Sunday that he is hoping safety Kendell Davis-Clark will return for Saturday's game against Florida Atlantic. The senior missed the Eastern Michigan game with a shoulder injury. Dantonio also said the coaching staff is taking a "wait-and-see" approach to his status for Saturday.