‘Physicality’ is one word everyone can’t stop saying about Michigan State vs Boston College

EAST LANSING – Minutes after Michigan State wrapped up its weekly “Toughness Tuesday” workout, Nate Carter walked into the Tom Izzo Football Building.

Still wearing his leg pads and practice pants, white tape remaining wrapped around both his wrists, Carter sure looked the part as the Spartans await their most demanding challenge of Jonathan Smith’s nascent tenure against Boston College’s physical defense.

“We’re getting ready to have a four-quarter fight,” the junior running back said, sweat still on his brow after the practice in the unseasonable mid-September midday heat.

From left, Michigan State’s Dallas Fincher, Tanner Miller and Luke Newman block for Aidan Chiles during the game against Prairie View A&M on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

The Spartans take their 3-0 record on the road to face the surprising and surging Eagles on Saturday. Kickoff is 8 p.m. at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts (ACC Network). Boston College (2-1) shocked Florida State on the road to open their season, 28-13, on Sept. 2 and then Saturday went blow for blow at No. 8 Missouri before succumbing, 27-21.

“Their physicality jumps out, the first thing you see. And I think it’s gonna be fun,” center Tanner Miller said Tuesday of facing the Eagles’ stingy defense. “I think it’s gonna be a good test for us. I think they’re obviously a really good team. So if we think we’re the team that we think we are, then we got to go out there and prove it. And testing yourself against the best is what you want to do in those situations.”

Getting tougher in the run game has been a challenge early this season for MSU and an ongoing preaching point for Smith and his offensive coaching staff. Even though his team averages 162.7 yards rushing so far after posting a program-low 89.5 per game last…


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Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2024-09-18 10:09:55

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