Michigan State Football: Report card for win over Penn State

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) scores a on an interception return during the second half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State football proved to be one of the top teams in the nation with a win over Penn State Saturday.

Saturday’s Michigan State football win over the Penn State Nittany Lions was an impressive show of force as the Spartans downed James Franklin and Co., 55-16. Spartan Stadium was rocking, knowing that the Big Ten title game was on the line and a win would send the Spartans in to face No. 4 Iowa.

Michigan State has recorded its fifth 11-win season in the past six years thanks to the victory and the Spartans now have a chance to improve to 12-1 with a win over the Hawkeyes and the victor of Saturday’s Big Ten Championship will almost surely be headed to the College Football Playoff.

There was so much doubt surrounding the Michigan State program just a few weeks ago after a controversial loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the road, but the Spartans have rebounded to secure three straight big victories to end the season and they still control their own destiny.

Let’s take a look at the report card from the Michigan State vs Penn State game on Saturday for each of the Spartans’ position groups.

Connor Cook: A-

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) warms up prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

We stopped calling this category “quarterbacks” in the beginning of the year because Connor Cook was the only one really receiving any snaps. Well, last week was a bit different. This week, however, the senior gunslinger returned and looked like his old self — with a little bit less zip on the ball.

Cook’s passes were limited to short and intermediate throws and they were all fairly accurate as he finished the day 19-of-26 for 248 yards and three touchdowns. If he can play this well in his first game after a shoulder injury, it will be interesting to see how much he improves when he can hold onto the ball longer and look further down field for the deep ball.

There were times when he rushed his throws because he didn’t want to get hit — for good reason — but overall, Cook was on target and looked great.

Next: Running Backs