Analysis: Improvement vast for Spartan defense

EAST LANSING - Pat Narduzzi was joking, but as is often the case, some truth could be found in the verbal jab, chuckle and back slap.

"Don't make me have trouble sleeping," Narduzzi, Michigan State's defensive coordinator, said to junior safety Danny Fortener as Fortener took over the starting spot vacated by the injured Kendell Davis-Clark.

Three weeks later, Fortener looks comfortable, and Narduzzi looks rested.

"He can sleep at night," Fortener said.

And Fortener's steady progress isn't the only natural sleep aid at work. This is a defense coming off its best all-around performance in 17 games under Narduzzi and head coach Mark Dantonio.

While Javon Ringer and his blockers get the bulk of the attention for MSU (3-1), the defense has made the biggest strides in four games and appears ready for a Big Ten season that starts Saturday at Indiana (2-1).

The reactions of Narduzzi and Dantonio - neither of whom is given to overblown praise - tell the story as well as anything.

A week after shrugging off his defense's shutout of Florida Atlantic in rainy weather, Narduzzi was practically gushing about the way "the kids played their tails off" against the Irish.

On Sunday, after viewing the film, Dantonio called it "the most complete game we've seen this year" from the defense.

"We were looking for a game like this where we all came together," he said.

And for a game with no glaring, blown assignments. For the first time in many years at MSU, that's exactly what happened.

Notre Dame revisited

Narduzzi unleashed the blitz against Jimmy Clausen. Notre Dame had 48 passing plays in the game - resulting in 42 attempts, three sacks, a screen that was ruled a lateral and two pass interference calls on the Spartans.

On those 48 plays, MSU blitzed 28 times. Linebackers, corners and safeties all got their chances. On those 28 blitzes, MSU got significant pressure on Clausen 17 times, hitting him nine times in addition to a pair of sacks.

Even better for MSU: The first of senior end Brandon Long's two sacks came without a blitz, on a stunt inside. And junior end Trevor Anderson got two key pressures and hits on Clausen with no blitz - including an inside bull rush on third-and-15 in the fourth quarter that forced a rushed incompletion.

Better still: Blitz or no blitz, MSU's defensive backs were in the right spots all day and made several plays on the ball.

Fortener and Ross Weaver batted away potential touchdown passes. Otis Wiley had two more picks. Even on Notre Dame's lone score, a 26-yard fade from Clausen to Michael Floyd, MSU freshman cornerback Johnny Adams was right there and just missed grabbing it for himself.

The secondary's play Saturday was significant for two reasons. One, because if there's anything exceptional about Notre Dame this year, it's the big-play pop of Clausen, Floyd and Golden Tate.

Two, because consistently good technique and communication like that hasn't been seen at MSU since the late 1990s, when Dantonio was defensive backs coach. Two years of instruction from Dantonio, Narduzzi and secondary coach Harlon Barnett are starting to pay off.

But don't forget about the front seven. Notre Dame's inability to run (22 attempts, 16 yards) made it much easier for MSU to defend the pass.

"Our kids did a great job. They made them one-dimensional, made them have to throw it every time," Narduzzi said. "And if you're an offense and you have to throw it every time, you're in trouble."

'We've evolved'

The Spartans gave up several big plays in the 38-31 loss at Cal in the season opener, improved against weaker competition the next two weeks, then made a visible advance in soundness against Notre Dame.

The playing group is starting to become clear, with some surprises. Jeremy Ware has emerged as the nickel back, Michael Jordan as the third defensive tackle.

Adam Decker (25 tackles) is playing well at middle linebacker, while Brandon Denson has been making plays as Decker's replacement in third-and-long situations.

Others, such as tackle Antonio Jeremiah and linebacker Ryan Allison, are playing less than originally expected. Davis-Clark (shoulder) is healing and may be back soon - but Fortener is making a case to stay on the field.

As a group, the Spartans have a chance to outperform last season's defense because of their collective understanding of the system.

"Last year, we were always focusing on what we had to do," sophomore linebacker Greg Jones said. "Now we're keying on what they're trying to do offensively. We've evolved from last year."

Said Decker: "I think we're communicating better, but I also think we're playing a lot more physical than we have in the past. A new mixture might take a couple games to mesh together, and you're starting to see that."

The Spartans appear to be trending toward solid defensive football - although trends in this game become aberrations with one bad week.

And Indiana quarterback Kellen Lewis is the kind of guy who keeps guys like Narduzzi up late.