Michigan State Football: Report card against the Wolverines
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Grayson Miller (44) breaks up a pass intended for Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) during the 2nd half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Linebackers: A-; Secondary: C+
This happened to be the linebackers’ best game in quite some time. Over the last three games, the Spartans had allowed a gashing run up the middle by opponents of at least 42 yards. This time out, though, the Wolverines’ longest run was a 27-yard rumble by fullback Sione Houma.
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Montae Nicholson (9) tackles Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Amara Darboh (82) in the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Riley Bullough was the man in charge, recording seven sacks for the Spartans and rarely finding himself out of position. Accompanying those seven tackles was a half-sack that proved to be a huge play in the game — as all sacks are.
Chris Frey also played a whale of a game, recording four tackles. Darien Harris looked good in coverage as well as tackling, finishing with six takedowns. Jon Reschke was one of the more impressive backers, finishing with four assisted tackles and a huge pass deflection.
As for the secondary, it was difficult to watch these guys let high, fluttering ducks drop into the Michigan receivers’ hands with ease. Albeit, Grayson Miller was thrown into the fire here and was forced to make big stops, but the Wolverines completed far too many ugly throws that would have usually been picked off.
Jake Rudock was not impressive through the air, in my opinion. Many players made the plays necessary to keep the opposing quarterback to under 200 yards and 15-of-25 completions, but it was far from a perfect effort.
Demetrious Cox looked solid at corner, recording eight tackles while Arjen Colquhoun was solid in deep coverage, adding two tackles and a pass deflection. The Spartans kept the big plays to a minimum, but the secondary did allow completions of 32, 28, 23 and 21 to account for most of Rudock’s total.
On the positive side, everyone looked much better in open-field tackling, including the true freshmen.
Next: Special teams