Michigan State Football: Report card for win against Ohio State

Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) at Ohio Stadium. Michigan State won the game 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers/Secondary: A+

With an assist from the defense line the linebackers and the secondary each played their best game of the season as well. The secondary was rarely tested deep, which was perplexing to say the least, but on the very few times they were everyone was in the right position to make a play.

The secondary unit also played a big role in keeping the running game bottled up. Montae Nicholson and Demetrious Cox came forward from their safety positions, taking the right angles mind you, to fill any gaps that Buckeye runners thought they may have on the outside.

Riley Bullough had the defense ready to go and in all the right positions to make a play. Jon Reschke and Darien Harris played the edge brilliantly and kept the read option bottled up, never letting Barrett get on track on the ground.

Ohio State expected to run the ball at will against Michigan State, that was clearly the game plan coming in as they never threw the ball downfield. That plan never got off the ground as the Spartans thwarted any attempt.

Next: Special Teams