GREEN & WHITE FOOTBALL

Jack Conklin could be starting for MSU at Rutgers

Joe Rexrode
Detroit Free Press

EAST LANSING – Starting at left tackle for Michigan State at Rutgers will be …

Jack Conklin? It’s possible, MSU offensive line coach Mark Staten said after Tuesday’s practice, in which Conklin and Kodi Kieler returned from knee injuries to participate. The fact that both could play for the No. 4 Spartans (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) against the Scarlet Knights (2-2, 0-1) was the big news of the day, strengthening the possibility that the starting tackles will be available Oct. 17 at Michigan.

“Well, they’re working toward that,” Staten said of a possible Saturday return for Conklin (hurt Sept. 26 vs. Central Michigan) and Kieler (hurt Sept. 12 vs. Oregon). “They were out there today and they’re getting better. The plan is for one, if not both, to be back. If it doesn’t happen, we’ll just continue to play on.”

Kieler also could be the starting left tackle, Staten said, if he can return and Conklin can’t. Or it could be right guard/tackle Donavon Clark, who has played left tackle in the past and got some work there Tuesday. And it could be starting center Jack Allen, who played the position in Saturday’s 24-21 win over Purdue after No. 2 left tackle Dennis Finley was lost with a broken fibula and tibia.

“We have quite a different number of ways we can go with this,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio said of a shuffle that could end up paying off in the future – on a line that can start to realize its potential again when Conklin and Kieler return.

In the meantime, Staten said he has “a lot of fruit in my basket” as he looks to Rutgers, with six to 10 different lineup possibilities depending on who returns. The MSU depth chart has co-starters listed at all five positions for Saturday.

Finley was starting to show his talent before he went down, and Saturday was the first extensive action for redshirt freshman David Beedle, playing guard. It also marked the return to a significant role for senior guard Brandon Clemons, and Staten called Clemons the pleasant surprise of the day.

“The way (Beedle) prepared and the way he got ready, it wasn’t a surprise with him,” Staten said. “Because the whole week, it’s a systematic thing and you look at how the week goes and you make your decision. And he systemically through the week did some really good things. So I would say Clemons really stepped up his game and really, now he’s gonna be pushing, who’s starting at guard now?”

Benny McGowan has been doing so, and Brian Allen played center with Jack Allen at tackle. MSU also is getting Brian Allen some reps at tackle. All the back and forth may be confusing, but Staten said: “That’s only gonna make us stronger.”

• Freshmen galore: Dantonio said “I’m not nervous at all” about having a defensive backfield depth chart loaded with freshmen. His No. 2 safeties are freshmen Grayson Miller and Khari Willis now that RJ Williamson is out until late in the season with a biceps injury. Freshman Josh Butler is listed as a No. 2 corner now that Demetrious Cox has moved to safety, and freshman David Dowell is a No. 3.

Butler and Dowell have yet to play, but that could change soon.

“Josh Butler has performed very well (in practice),” Dantonio said. “We've not taken the redshirt off of him yet, but he's probably right there. We’re trying to hold it. We'll see what happens.”

• Notebook: Dantonio mentioned Rutgers return man Janarion Grant twice on Tuesday and said special teams will be “very, very key” Saturday. Grant has two kick returns and one punt return for touchdowns this season, and he had one of each vs. Washington State. … MSU coaches chose LJ Scott (offense), Malik McDowell (defense) and Jalen Watts-Jackson (special teams) as players of the week vs. Purdue. Scout-team players of the week were Kenny Willekes (offense), Tyson Smith (defense) and Tyriq Thompson (special teams).