Air Force vs Michigan State: Grading the Spartans’ performance

Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) runs the ball against Air Force Falcons defensive back Jesse Washington (21) at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receivers: A-

If you watched the Michigan State game on Saturday, you saw the emergence of a star wide receiver by the name of Aaron Burbridge. Coming out of high school, the young wide out was a highly-touted four-star who was expected to be the next big thing at MSU.

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After a solid freshman season, the senior wide out took a couple years to really figure things out and now that Tony Lippett is gone, the receiving corps are under his leadership.

Saturday’s game happens to have been the third time this season already in which Burbridge finished with over 100 yards, catching eight passes for 156 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.

On the year, Burbridge has 20 catches for 374 yards and four touchdowns. He’s currently on a torrid pace to finish with 80 receptions for 1,496 yards and 16 scores — and that’s not even including a possible bowl game.

The only reason this one is an ‘A-‘ is because he seemed to be the only receiver who stepped his game up a few notches and Connor Cook’s main/only target.

R.J. Shelton is the other exception to this category as he had his best game in a long time, catching five passes for 68 yards while Josiah Price added a 15-yard touchdown catch.

Michigan State only had four receivers who recorded a reception. Not good.

Next: Offensive/defensive line