Michigan State vs Western Michigan: Grading the Spartans

Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) turns the corner on the Western Michigan Broncos defense prior to a game at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Receivers: B+

Another group that was supposedly unproven and looking to show that life without Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery wouldn’t be as scary as many anticipated. The wide receivers played very well, I’m going to include tight ends into this group, as Connor Cook found seven different guys in the win.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 potential breakout stars for 2015

It had to have been odd for Cook not to see the lengthy Lippett, his favorite receiver for two years, on the outside, but Aaron Burbridge softened the loss of the big wide out. No receiver was targeted considerably more than the others, but Burbridge finished the game with four catches for 117 yards.

Burbridge needed to step up as the true No. 1 receiver on Friday and lead the corps, and he did just that.

Josiah Price played great as always from the tight end position, grabbing three receptions for 49 yards and a score, proving once again that he’s likely the top at his position in the Big Ten.

DeAnthony Arnett was one of my choices for potential breakout players this season and he played well in the first game, catching two passes for 36 yards and his first career MSU touchdown. It’s good to see the senior play well after three tough years of no production.

Lastly, Macgarrett Kings was the other name that stood out, catching just two passes for 27 yards.

The top performer only having four catches may not seem worthy of a ‘B+’ rating, but you have to realize Cook was trying to spread the ball around and he overthrew targets on multiple occasions on Friday.

Next: Trenches