Michigan State HC Jonathan Smith reflects on final scrimmage, ready for game week

Jon Smith crop Dane — Jonathan Smith at practice on Monday, at the outdoor practice fields at the Tom Izzo Football Building. | Photo by Dane Robison for SpartanMag

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Spartans have enjoyed two days off, capping the end of Michigan State's training camp while awaiting the beginning of prep week for Western Michigan, which begins on Thursday. Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith put the Spartans through practice on Monday, in the wake of the second and final scrimmage of August, which had taken place on Saturday. “I think it was really competitive, the second scrimmage,” Smith said. “This one was back and forth. That red zone execution offensively was way better in the second one, which was great to see. “I think both scrimmages, we tackled well defensively. I had a bunch of clips showing the team, guys getting them on the ground, and that was awesome. We don't get to tackle that much, and they took full advantage.” Running backs, a wide receiver and linebackers came to mind when Smith was asked about players who stood out on Saturday. (MORE inside SpartanMag).