jonathan smith – Syndication Server

Former Spartan calls out Detroit sports radio host

A former Spartan called out a Detroit sports radio host on X

Mike Valenti is one of the most notable sports figures in the city of Detroit. The mid-day host of 97.1 The Ticket’s flagship show, and an MSU alum, Valenti is known to give very hotly contested takes.

Recently, Valenti has been bashing MSU head football coach Jonathan Smith, noting that the program is lifeless and this is not the coach from Oregon State. Valenti said that he hopes Spartan Stadium is empty on Friday and Alan Haller is sitting there alone.

Responding to this comment was former MSU QB Brian Lewerke, bashing Valenti and calling it, “This could legitimately be the worst take I’ve seen in my 10 years on this app [X].”

While there is some juice lacking in this program, many around the program continue to maintain that Smith has a ton of fire behind the scenes.

MSU head coach Jonathan Smith previews upcoming game vs. Purdue

Watch MSU head coach Jonathan Smith preview this week’s matchup against Purdue

Michigan State football is in must-win territory if they want to avoid reaching the postseason for a third straight season.

The Spartans return home this week in a Friday night matchup against Purdue. Michigan State comes into this game on a three-game losing streak and in need of wins in each of its last two games to reach bowl eligibility. The Spartans are 4-6 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play.

Purdue is having an even rougher go this year, with the Boilermakers sitting at 1-9 overall and 0-7 in Big Ten play. Purdue hasn’t won since the season opener against FCS foe Indiana State.

In preparation for this week’s matchup with the Boilermakers, Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith met with the local media to preview this game. Hear what he had to say in the video below.

This video is courtesy of SpartanMag

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Now or never, MSU football has to step up to end 2024

MSU still has one imperative goal within reach in 2024, and the team needs to step up and make it happen

It is at the point of the season to have a tough conversation. Bowl eligibility is on the brink of collapsing for Michigan State football, which will be detrimental to Jonathan Smith’s build in East Lansing.

While making a bowl in today’s college football doesn’t feel like a big deal, for what Smith is selling, it is imperative for the Spartans in 2024.

For Smith, and selling his program to recruits in high school and the transfer portal, a bowl game appearance will favor the Spartans far more than a 5-7 or 4-8 campaign in year one.

The bright side for MSU, they get to play at home against Purdue and Rutgers, two beatable teams. While MSU has to get healthy, Smith has to get his team ready to reach the biggest goal of the 2024 fall.

It’s now or never, and it starts on Friday against Purdue.

Watch MSU head coach Jonathan Smith recap tough loss at Illinois

Watch Jonathan Smith recap the Spartans loss at Illinois on Saturday afternoon

It was not a good day for the Spartans’ football program.

Michigan State dropped its third straight game on Saturday in a blowout loss at Illinois. The Spartans trailed the entire game, but it wasn’t until the fourth quarter when the Fighting Illini pulled away for the 38-16 victory.

With the loss, Michigan State is now 4-6 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play. This will be the third straight year and fifth in the last six years that Michigan State will finish with a losing record in conference play. The Spartans will need to win both of its remaining games (Purdue and Rutgers) to reach bowl eligibility and avoid a third straight bowless season.

So what did Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith have to say about the loss on Saturday? Watch his complete postgame press conference in the video below.

This video is courtesy of SpartanMag

It is time for the youth movement with Michigan State football

It is time to bench two veterans for more youthful players to round out MSU’s season

Michigan State football went on the road and dropped a pivotal game against Illinois on Saturday afternoon, 38-16, in a game that played a touch closer than the score.

Another tough loss for the Spartans in Jonathan Smith’s first year, this one in particular showed that there is a ton of things the Spartans need to fix and clean up.

For starters, there are two to three key positions that NEED to see changes.

Ashton Lepo at the right tackle position is a liability. While the offensive line unit as a whole has not been productive, Lepo has been abysmal. Graded consistently as the worst on the Spartans offensive line by PFF, Lepo has an awful 43.8 pass block rating by PFF.

Who replaces Lepo?

True freshman Rakeem Johnson has shown the ability to be an effective offensive lineman at this level, and quite frankly, it cannot get worse than Lepo – making it time to give Johnson a serious shot at the tackle spot to build for next year.

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Jonathan Smith updates two injured MSU defensive backs

Jonathan Smith gives an update on Charles Brantley and Malik Spencer

Michigan State football was missing Charles Brantley and Malik Spencer against Illinois on Saturday afternoon, and their absences were more than noted.

The lack of depth, paired with the injuries, have shown a glaring weakness for the Spartans in their secondary.

After the loss to Illinois, MSU head coach Jonathan smith updated the status on the two key defensive backs, sharing that they are not close to returning and that they are doubtful to return over the final two games.

MSU is going to have to find a way to be effective defensively in the secondary while missing these two key pieces.

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Jonathan Smith gives update on QB Aidan Chiles injury status for Michigan State vs. Illinois game

Jonathan Smith gave an update on his starting quarterback’s injury status for the Illinois game

Michigan State football starting quarterback Aidan Chiles went down with an injury in the Spartans’ loss to Indiana, but it appears that he will be available this weekend for MSU’s match-up against Illinois.

On Monday, head coach Jonathan Smith gave an update on Chiles in his weekly press conference. Smith said that Chiles practiced on Sunday should be good to go for Saturday, a very positive update for the Spartans.

Smith on injuries: Aidan Chiles practiced Sunday and appears to be full-go for Saturday. Optimistic on DE Anthony Jones. Malik Spencer and Charles Brantley's statuses will be determined during the week. All four got hurt vs. Indiana before the bye week.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 11, 2024

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

Evan Young breaks down recruitment, Michigan State interest

2025 DB target Evan Young broke down his MSU interest, to take an official visit this month:

A new defensive back target has emerged on Michigan State’s 2025 recruiting board, one that the Spartans coaching staff will be be heavily pursuing. Evan Young, a defensive back from Lufkin, Texas, is the center of MSU DB’s coach Blue Adams attention.

Young is a 6-foot, 180 pound DB that is yet to be ranked by the major recruiting sites.

As of now, an official visit is on the books for Young to visit East Lansing at the end of November, but the exact date will be largely dictated by how far the Lufkin Panthers go in the Texas state playoffs. For now, he will just remain in contact with the staff.

“I’ve been in contact with coach [Austin] D’Armond, just constantly checking in with me, sending me graphics, talking about classes and things like that,” Young told Spartans Wire. “I don’t much about Michigan State, just due to how far away it is, but when I get there on the visit I know they’ll inform me on things.”

When asked about what type of school he was looking for, Young noted that he wants a school that believes in his ability to get to the next level.

“I am really just looking for a school that believes in my abilities and just coaches that care for their players as far as getting a degree and getting to that next level.”

As a prospect, Young is someone who has versatility, and while it is believed he would come in as a safety, he can play any spot in the defensive backfield.

I feel like I can play any position on the defensive side; cornerback, nickel, safety, just wherever I’m needed,” Young explained. “I feel I am a more physical DB. I like the big hits and it’s amazing to take the ball away from the offense, but just the feeling when u make a big hit, it’s different!”

A player that fits the vibe and culture at Michigan State, Young is a defensive back that can make a difference in East Lansing.

Young recently received an offer from Wyoming, which Young noted he will have to entertain. Expect the late riser to add more offers for the Spartans to compete with, but MSU fans should put this physical defensive back on their radars.

MSU head coach Jonathan Smith talks injuries, getting ’embarrassed’ vs. Indiana

Watch MSU head coach Jonathan Smith discuss the Spartans getting “embarrassed” against Indiana on Saturday

It was an embarrassing effort from the Spartans in Saturday’s blowout home loss to Indiana, according to Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith.

Smith used that exact word to describe Michigan State’s performance in the 47-10 loss against the Hoosiers. Michigan State led 10-0 after the first quarter but from that point on Indiana dominated the game to earn the blowout victory.

With the loss, Michigan State dropped to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten play this year. The Spartans will be off next week before returning on November 16 in a road game at Illinois.

Hear all of what Smith had to say about the Spartans’ loss vs. Indiana in the press conference video below:

Video is courtesy of SpartanMag

Watch MSU head coach Jonathan Smith discuss UM game, preview Indiana

MSU head coach Jonathan Smith recaps the Spartans loss vs. Michigan and previews the upcoming game against Indiana

Michigan State football has moved on from Saturday’s tough loss against Michigan, but they won’t forget what happened, according to head coach Jonathan Smith.

Smith met with the media on Monday during his weekly press conference, touched on the rivalry, and looked ahead to this week’s game against Indiana. The Spartans lost by the final score of 24-17 against the Wolverines, and after the game, a fight resulted in a Spartans player and staffer being stomped on.

Michigan State is now 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play, and will look to bounce back this week in a home game against undefeated Indiana. The Hoosiers come into this matchup with a perfect 8-0 overall record and 5-0 mark in Big Ten play.

Hear what Smith had to say during his weekly press conference in the video below:

Video courtesy of SpartanMag