Michigan State vs Oregon: Grading the Spartans

Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Josiah Price (82) attempts to catch a pass against Oregon Ducks safety Tyree Robinson (3) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Receivers: A-

If you’re a fan of the Spartans, you have to be happy with where the receiving corps are at right now. Michigan State needed to find a way to replace Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery from last year’s squad — the two leading receivers — and the Spartans have done so, making Connor Cook a very happy man.

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Lippett is near impossible to replace, but senior wide out Aaron Burbridge is doing his best to ensure Cook has a true No. 1 target, and he’s looking more and more like a star wide out than ever before.

Burbridge finished Saturday’s contest with eight catches for 101 yards and his first touchdown catch of the season after a decent run after the reception to take it into the end zone. On multiple occasions, he picked up a huge reception in traffic to give the Spartans a first down or good field position. He’s as sure-handed as they come.

Macgarrett Kings was also impressive, catching multiple third-down conversions and rising over defenders to snag a ball or two. He finished with 48 yards on six catches.

Josiah Price is couple with this group, as well as Jamal Lyles, as the All-Big Ten tight end caught two passes for 23 yards including a first-half touchdown.

The only reason this position group does not get an ‘A’ is because not enough receivers were involved against Oregon. DeAnthony Arnett disappeared as he has done before, Monty Madaris didn’t see much action and R.J. Shelton dropped a couple passes, but made up for it with a huge end-around for a first down in the second half.

Next: Offensive/Defensive lines