Spartans look for more production from defensive line

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In his less than two years at the helm of the MSU football program, Mark Dantonio has said two characteristics he wanted to see his football team embody are toughness and overcoming adversity.

Through the team’s first three games, MSU’s head coach has seen those characteristics time and time again.

“We’ve been able to handle adversity,” Dantonio said. “If you look at us as a defense, we’ve had some plays go against us — but we’ve been able to hang in there and play.

“If you continue to do that enough times you’re going to develop confidence.”

Missing piece

Last year, the MSU defense dominated in the trenches — ranking 14th in the country with 3.08 sacks per game (40 overall), including 17 sacks in the first three games alone.

But so far this year, the Spartans have totaled just three sacks during the first three games.

“Last year, we sacked people quite often, and this year we’ve played against two teams that have not given many sacks,” Dantonio said. “I guess you have to give and take a little bit there, but we have to apply more pressure.”

Dantonio is right about the caliber of linemen the Spartans have faced. In 2007, California allowed 11 sacks throughout the season. Eastern Michigan allowed 17 and Florida Atlantic allowed 15.

Same old Ringer

Success is nothing new for senior running back Javon Ringer, but where he stands after the first three games of the season would be newfound heights for almost any running back.

Ringer, who earned his second consecutive Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor this week, leads the nation with nine touchdowns and ranks third nationally with 498 yards.

A key reason for Ringer’s big numbers is another big number — a nationally leading 104 carries (Connecticut’s Donald Brown is second with 79) — Dantonio isn’t surprised at what Ringer has been able to accomplish.

After Saturday’s game against Florida Atlantic, Dantonio pointed to Ringer’s toughness, attention to detail and work ethic as characteristics that separated him from other players.

On Tuesday, he added another characteristic — humility.

“He comes to work every day and is an extremely humble person,” Dantonio said of Ringer. “He does not really want all the attention focused on himself; he wants the attention on others.

“I think he’ll be very, very good about (handling any added pressure). I can tell you it will not go to his head, that’s not the type of person he is.”

Injury update

Dantonio said there is no timetable for the return of senior free safety Kendell Davis-Clark, who hasn’t dressed in the last two games due to a separated shoulder, but he was out of his sling.

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