Michigan State football/men's basketball reporter for Detroit Free Press, Heisman/Naismith award voter. Work found at https://www.freep.com/staff/2648040001/chris-solari/
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Other than this brief moment when @chrissolari.bsky.social was thinking, “How is this my life?”, here’s a pretty good 7 minutes of MSU football analysis, looking ahead to the Spartans’ matchup with Boston College. www.lansingstatejournal.com/videos/sport...
Jonathan Smith: Michigan State football needs offense to click vs. Boston College www.freep.com/story/sports...
Smith on Boston College: "They are sound, they make you earn it." Eagles put up 66 points in a win over Fordham, adding that coach Bill O'Brien "knows what he's doing."
Smith says punter Ryan Eckley likely will continue with longer field goal attempts.
Smith on last year's loss to BC and the disappointment of that game: "It leaves an imprint on you." Brings up the field-storming. "Guys remember that. And it's not in a disrespectful way."
Smith says MSU came out of WMU fairly healthy. Optimistic the Spartans might get OG Luka Vincic and S Nikai Martinez back for Boston College, but they'll be late-week decisions along with K Martin Connington and Tarik Ahmetbasic.
Smith says Eckley's punting and the coverage on those was big, along with snaps from freshman Jack Wills. Liked Eckley's hang time on his kickoffs.
MSU coach Jonathan Smith at the podium to preview the Spartans' game Saturday with Boston College. Says quick start of offense vs. MSU was good to see first two drives and adds that there was "a lack of detail" to the second half shutdown.
Michigan State takes Noah's Ark approach with offensive line in Week 1. Will plan change vs Boston College? www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football winners/losers: Makhi Frazier, Brandon Tullis rev up run game www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football shows resolve, improvement, things to work on in win over WMU www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football winners/losers: Makhi Frazier, Brandon Tullis rev up run game www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football grades vs WMU: Credit Spartans defense with a shutout www.freep.com/story/sports...
Two deep thinkers back at it with 9 minutes of postgame MSU football analysis you won't get anywhere else — at least anywhere else on our websites. @chrissolari.bsky.social joins me for Talkin' Spartans after MSU's 23-6 win over Western Michigan. www.lansingstatejournal.com/videos/sport...
Smith: "It's not always gonna be easy. We gotta keep on improving."
Smith says Luka Vincic had a "slight foot thing" that limited him this week but will remain in the mix with the top six OL who played tonight.
Smith says he's "overall pleased" with how the RBs produced and the OL blocked for them.
MSU coach Jonathan Smith: "Proud of the team for finding a way to win the game" but says it was "a tale of two halves." Credits his special teams unit immediately, then calls the defensive effort pretty good in pitching the shutout (only a pick-6 in the 4Q by the offense).
Chiles said he just got the wind knocked out of him on the sack he fumbled in the second half.
Chiles said he felt more comfortable in his second season opener as a starting QB. "I felt like I belonged. I was just ready to go."
MSU QB Aidan Chiles said the offense showed it got better but also is still frustrated with the second-half shutdown. "We can't let other teams dictate our pace, our speed and how we operate."
Jordan Hall on the defensive shutout: "This is a good starting point for our defense."
Michigan State football finds winning mix on offense in 23-6 roll over Western Michigan www.freep.com/story/sports...
MSU RB Makhi Frazier (103 yards, 14 carries, TD): "The O-line really opened the holes and created everything." Fellow sophomore RB Brandon Tullis (52 yards, 7 carries, TD) "The O-line made it easy for us."
FINAL: MSU 23, Western Michigan 6. Spartans host Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6 (7:30 p.m./NBC).
Backup QB Alessio Milivojevic spoils MSU's shutout with a pick-6 with 2:51 left on his first pass. WMU DB Tate Hallock, an MSU alum who played four years before transferring, got the score. MSU lead cut to 23-6 as the Broncos fail to convert the 2-point try.
END 3Q: MSU 23, WMU 0. Spartans' ball third-and-7 at own 43 when play resumes.
Defense bows up again, WMU misses a long FG to keep the shutout intact. MSU ball at own 28 with 2:36 left 3Q and leading 23-0.
VanSumeren and Thompson get the safety MSU should have had earlier, stuffing Buckley in the end zone after the punt-and-pin by Eckley. MSU 23, WMU 0 with 8:01 left and Spartans will get the free kick.
Chiles tries waving off the punt team with fourth-and-6 at the WMU 42 to no avail. Drive stalled, MSU again pins the Broncos deep on a beautiful Eckley high-arc and roll boot.
Big downfield tackle in space by DE David Santiago to stop WMU on fourth-and-12 a yard short of a first down. MSU ball at its own 20.
Eckley on for a 41-yard FG, out of the hold of fellow punter Carson Voss. Slides wide left. HALFTIME: MSU 21, WMU 0.
Not the first play MSU wanted or needed there. Bad pressure, Chiles hit and fumbles, Conner Moore falls on it. Timeout WMU with :39 seconds left, and Broncos have two more left to call after the 17-yard loss negated a 20-yard Kelly punt return.
Heavy formation right with two TE, Frazier cuts it left behind Ramil and Broscious and crosses the plane for a 3-yard TD before dropping the ball. MSU scores its third TD of the half with 1:50 left, Sislo XP good again and Spartans lead WMU 21-0.
The vision and cutback and speed are electric for Aidan Chiles, but the way he stayed in bounds and kept going toward the goal line showed some toughness as a runner. MSU at the WMU 3 as the 2-minute timeout hits.
That group? Looked like last year. No bueno.
Third different OL combination on MSU's third drive: LT Ramil, LG Broscious, C Gulbin, RG Phillips, RT Lepo. Two runs for Tullis immediately pick up 15 yards. OL looking strong.
Eckley could carve out a long NFL future if he can punt like he did last year and deliver kickoffs for touchbacks like that one. Strong leg.
First MSU drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:42 (Tullis 12-yard TD run) Second MSU drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:59 (Chiles-to-Marsh 7-yard TD pass) Impressive balance so far, with 67 rushing yards and 66 passing yards.
Heck of a touch throw from Chiles retreating from pressure to float a perfect ball to Nick Marsh for a 7-yard TD. Sislo XP puts MSU up 14-0 with 10:43 left 2Q.
No-man's-land without a kicker and MSU going for it fourth-and-4 at WMU's 43. Chiles hits Kelly on an out for a 10-yard gain. Big throw.
END 1Q: MSU 7, WMU 0. Spartans' ball first-and-10 at Broncos' 48 when play resumes thanks to a quick-snap by Chiles that forced an offsides penalty on third-and-2.
Lot of changes for MSU's second drive along the OL, with Moore moving to LT and Carter to LG, Phillips at RG and Lepo at RT with Gulbin at C.
Nice move and pressure by Lafaele to get to the QB and force a third-down fumble that QB Brady Jones dove on. WMU punts to Omari Kelly. MSU up 7-0 with 1:42 left 1Q.
The new right side of MSU's OL with Caleb Carter and Conner Moore looked quite stout on that first drive.
Blake Sislo with the extra point to give MSU a 7-0 lead on MSU with 5:30 left in the 1Q.
Brandon Tullis slithers in from 12 yards out for an MSU touchdown, 5:30 left 1Q.
Caleb Carter with a big block to spring Makhi Frazier for 28 yards to the WMU 15. New starting RG making an impact immediately.
Good start for Chiles, hitting on first three passes and converting a third-and-2 with a 3-yard pass to Velling, then escapes pressure and just misses Tullis deep left while on the move.
WMU moves the ball efficiently quickly, but Ade Willie with a fourth-and-4 PBU to force turnover on down for MSU. Takes over at its own 26.
MSU coach Jonathan Smith on pregame radio show says Blake Sislo will take the first PAT and might have punter Ryan Eckley try field goals. Says Eckley also will handle kickoffs.
Michigan State football injury update: S Nikai Martinez, 2 kickers out vs WMU www.freep.com/story/sports...
What a glorious site and sight to see. Welcome back, college football. Welcome back, Munn Field tailgating.
Michigan State football vs Western Michigan prediction, scouting report www.freep.com/story/sports...
Inside the Spartans: Jonathan Smith banks on building relationships to rebuild Michigan State football www.freep.com/story/sports...
Inside the Spartans: Jonathan Smith banks on building relationships to rebuild Michigan State football www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football vs Western Michigan prediction, scouting report www.freep.com/story/sports...
🎙️NEW SPARTAN SPEAK POD: @chrissolari.bsky.social and I preview Michigan State's opener against Western Michigan – what we expect, what we're curious to see, and predictions. Download it wherever you get your podcasts or click the link before to listen. www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...
Q&A: Michigan State athletic director J Batt talks naming rights, CMU squabble, future of college sports www.freep.com/story/sports...
MSU hoops will host Arkansas in a non-conference game Nov. 8 as part of a two-year, home-and-home series with the Razorbacks. The Spartans will play in Fayetteville, Ark., next season.
Michigan State football's Joe Rossi eyes big year from deep LB group – led by Jordan Hall www.freep.com/story/sports...
5 Michigan State football questions before season opener with Western Michigan www.freep.com/story/sports...
MSU coach Jonathan Smith on his weekly radio show says he and the staff “feel awesome” about going seven deep on the offensive line. Sounds like the number whittled a bit the past few days from 9-10. Adds freshman RB Jace Clarizio has dealt with a calf injury during camp.
Won't happen unless it's in Okemos. Or Frandor. Or Trowbridge. The one on Grand River closed a few years ago after moving into the old Hot Dog Guy building. The OG TB is long gone and now a mixed-use high rise. No word on the location of the old, teal blue retro seating.
Warning, new video: @chrissolari.bsky.social and I break down the latest with MSU football - from a rough angle - after Johnathan Smith’s Monday press conference, heading into Friday night’s opener. Watch, or, better yet, press play and look away. www.lansingstatejournal.com/videos/sport...
Roster movement makes Michigan State football's planning for WMU tough - and vice versa www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football's kicking situation looks dicey for Friday's opener vs. WMU www.freep.com/story/sports...
Freshman Jack Wills from Hudsonville will snap if Kaden Schickel can't. Schickel still working back from last year's season-ending ACL injury vs. Michigan.
Smith says freshmen, DT Derrick Simmons, WR Braylon Collier, RB Jace Clarizio and DB Ayden West and possibly TE Jayden Savoury have made a push to play right away.
Smith says he expects to have a lot of rotation in personnel at WR, rush edge and in the secondary. "You're gonna see a decent amount."
Smith says he thinks MSU will play more than five OL on Friday in a rotation because players have earned reps.
Smith says K Martin Connington is another week or two away. If Ahmetbasic can't go, walk-on Blake Sislo will handle kicking duties for MSU.
Smith says S Nikai Martinez will be a game-time decisions, as is K Tarik Ahmetbasic with injuries. TE Jack Velling "has looked fine" practicing the past week or so and should be able to go against WMU.
Smith says the five captains were voted on by players and MSU will have an honorary captain weekly to join them.
Jonathan Smith at the podium to preview MSU-WMU. Says students coming back has amplified the energy on campus heading into Friday's opener. "We're counting on a record-size student section" for the game and mentions tailgating at Munn Field. "A lot going on to add to the excitement."
Michigan State football depth chart prediction: Key returners have bowl as Spartans' goal www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football, Aidan Chiles keeping it simple: 'He means business' www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football, Aidan Chiles keeping it simple: 'He means business' www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football game-by-game predictions: Can Spartans earn 1st bowl since 2021? www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football best/worst case in 2025: Bowl bound or big bust? www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football best/worst case in 2025: Bowl bound or big bust? www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football game-by-game predictions: Can Spartans earn 1st bowl since 2021? www.freep.com/story/sports...
🎙️NEW SPARTAN SPEAK POD: @chrissolari.bsky.social and I take a spin through each MSU football position group, looking at potential team strengths and concerns. Download it wherever you get your podcasts, or click the link below to listen. www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football's Big Ten Network preview show features glimpse inside Jonathan Smith’s rebuild, plenty of misdirection www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football: WR Nick Marsh stays humble, has 'dream' of bringing Spartans more wins, 1,000-yard season www.freep.com/story/sports...
QB Aidan Chiles repeats as Michigan State football captain, joined by 4 others www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State's Jonathan Smith 'pleased' after last scrimmage as offense shines www.freep.com/story/sports...
Here's the kicker (or not): Unknown looms for Michigan State football special teams www.freep.com/story/sports...
Also, thanks to you starting this thread and me texting Kilbridge about it (I vividly recall him being adamant at finding a generic song that sounded NFL Films-ish), I took a look back at the podcast history. Today happens to be the 10-year anniversary of episode 1. What a ride.
Michigan State football position battles to watch as season opener vs. WMU nears www.freep.com/story/sports...
Dan Kilbridge picked that out eons ago, and it has become his lasting legacy to Spartan Speak. It's a banger.
Air Force transfer DE David Santiago wants to add discipline, sacks to help Michigan State football's defense take flight www.freep.com/story/sports...
Return of Kristian Phillips, Gavin Broscious boosts Michigan State football offensive line www.freep.com/story/sports...
🎙️Spartan Speak is back! @chrissolari.bsky.social and I dig into the MSU football storylines at fall camp and what we think we know about this team. Plus, summer MSU hoops thoughts. Download it wherever you get your podcasts or click the link to listen. www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...
Mateen Cleaves Jr. offered scholarship by Tom Izzo, Michigan State basketball www.freep.com/story/sports...
The return of Spartan Speak podcast: What we think we knew about Michigan State's football team www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...
How experienced are Michigan State football's defensive tackles? About 3,000 snaps deep www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football: Jonathan Smith on how Spartans looked in 1st scrimmage, gives injury update on TE Jack Velling www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football: Younger Spartans look to carve out roles in 1st scrimmage of preseason camp www.freep.com/story/sports...
Who is Michigan State football's next homegrown star RB? Finding them is top priority www.freep.com/story/sports...