Michigan State Football: Report card for win over Penn State

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line: A; Defensive Line: C

The offensive line gets an ‘A’ for this game, opening up big holes for the run game and just flat-out dominating a team that was one of the nation’s leaders in sacks. Penn State’s defensive front has been solid for years, but this may have been its best unit yet.

Jack Conklin, Jack Allen, Donovan Clark, Brian Allen and Kodi Kieler — also with a mix of Benny McGowan and a couple of others — really played well, especially considering they had to make sure Connor Cook stayed off his back so he wouldn’t risk a potential injury again.

For the second straight game as well, the run game had some serious success as Gerald Holmes led the way and LJ Scott hit the holes hard. The best run of the day, however, may have come from Jack Allen as the senior celebrated his last game in Spartan Stadium with a nine-yard touchdown run. You can bet the offensive line was blocking more feverishly than ever before, hoping their fellow ‘fat guy’ would make linemen everywhere proud.

The defensive line wasn’t so solid. Although it got pressure on Christian Hackenberg a handful of times and even recorded two sacks, the fact that MSU couldn’t plug up holes and stop the run was a problem. These guys up front stymied Ezekiel Elliott a week ago, but couldn’t slow down Saquon Barkley. That could be a problem.

Also, against the worst offensive line in the conference, Michigan State should have been able to record more than just two sacks.

Next: Linebackers/Secondary