Michigan State running back Jeremy Langford says he is at about as close to full strength as he can get as the Spartans prepare for one more non-conference test before entering Big Ten play. With Wyoming heading to Spartan Stadium on Saturday, Langford says his ankle is feeling good.
“I was sore after the (Eastern Michigan) game, but not really,’’ said Langford, per MLive.com. “It’s football, you’re gonna take hits and get dinged up here and there. So I’m all right. I’m ready to go.’’
Langford sprained his ankle in the season opener against Jacksonville State. Langford has not missed a game though, having played on the road against Oregon and last weekend at home against Eastern Michigan. Having Langford at full strength should help Michigan State get the running game going.
“I haven’t started like I wanted to start, and it was the same way last year, I didn’t start fast, but i know playing running back, you have to keep running hard,” Langford said.
The Spartans are only ranked 33rd in the nation in rushing yards per game, which is not terrible by any stretch of the imagination. But head coach Mark Dantonio has shared concerns about the running game not meeting expectations. Michigan state is only averaging 4.66 yards per rushing attempt, which ranks 51st in the nation.
Michigan State may not be able to run the football as effectively as Big Ten programs like Wisconsin or Nebraska, but the Spartans feel they should be getting more on the ground to take off the pressure from quarterback Connor Cook. Getting more on the ground should be the focus this weekend. Wyoming ranks 76th in the country against the run. That should make for a good opportunity to get things running smoothly.
