MSU's Jonathan Smith Previews USC, Gives Injury Updates

Smith talked through the upcoming challenge at USC and updated the status of several notable Spartans.

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith speaks to the media about an upcoming game at USC on Sept. 15, 2025. | Jacob Cotsonika, Michigan State Spartans on SI

EAST LANSING --- Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith talked on Monday about his team's recent 41-24 win over Youngstown State, previewed the upcoming game at No. 25 USC, and also gave some injury updates.

Smith spoke about the injuries suffered by offensive lineman Luka Vincic, running back Makhi Frazier, and wide receivers Alante Brown and Nick Marsh.

Full video of the press conference is below.

Watch Jonathan Smith here:

Below is also a partial transcript of the beginning of Smith's presser on Monday.

Transcript

Michigan State's head coach Jonathan Smith looks on from the sideline during the second quarter in the game against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"OK, kind of like each week here, recapping a couple of thoughts. Offensively, you know, 10 possessions, I think we scored seven times on those 10. 

"I did think, again, watching the tape, Aidan (Chiles) did a solid job. Completing pass, eyes up, smart with the ball, another good game running it. 

"But in general, the running game, we got to get better, first and second down. You know, credit to the opponent schematically a couple of those, but we've got to break a couple of tackles, one of them with the safety kind of delaying, misidentification took place too many times, and we're just not getting the type of movement we want to get, so we've got to get improvement on that in the run game. 

"Defensively, I thought they did a nice job of stopping the run. These guys were leading the country in running the ball, especially with the quarterback (and) his capabilities of running it; I did like that part, except on the long one, 66-yard play, I want to say. First of all, we're misaligned, unique formation, give 'em some credit, we're misaligned, we don't got anyone in the B-gap. We're not aligned correctly in the second area, we've got an opportunity to at least get him down, it's going to be a 30-yard play, we can't do that, so we've got to get better there. 

Sep 13, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State defensive back Nikai Martinez (1) tackles Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard (12) in the third quarter at Spartan Stadium. | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

"It was good to have Nikai Martinez back, getting a taste of it, he played, you know, maybe half of it, so it was great to see him out there, we do want to continue to improve going forward. Fourth down, third down, on that side.

"Special teams continues to be a positive, obviously huge return from Omari (Kelly); I do think the blocking on the thing, the decision-making on the punt return unit was critical. Martin (Connington) had a solid game, (Ryan) Eckley was only out there one time, that's usually a good thing."

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith talks to a referee regarding a call during the first half against Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, August 29, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on Smith's press conference when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Don't forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.