Michigan State Football: Report card for win over Penn State

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Saeed Blacknall (13) has ball knocked free by Michigan State Spartans safety Montae Nicholson (9) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers/Secondary: C-

Two straight games of holding opponents to under 200 yards through the air was all the secondary could muster as Christian Hackenberg had far too much success against the Michigan State defensive backfield. Although Arjen Colquhoun intercepted a pass on the first drive for Michigan State, Hackenberg made short routes and screen passes look easy all game long.

Michigan State needs to figure out a way to slow down opponents’ short toss game as teams with quarterbacks who struggle to throw the deep ball keep relying on these lateral throws to get 10-15 yards at a time.

The tackling from the secondary, especially by Demetrious Cox, was poor all game long and little mistakes turned into points — such as Montae Nicholson slipping in the end zone, allowing a touchdown pass on fourth and goal. He did redeem himself shortly after, chasing down a sure-touchdown catch and run by Saeed Blacknall, and forcing a fumble that was almost recovered by MSU.

As for the linebackers, it was tough to see this unit struggle so mightily against the run after shutting down the best running back in the conference just last week. Saquon Barkley is one of the best up-and-coming backs in the Big Ten, but he gashed 10-plus yard runs on a regular basis as the tackling was sub-par, at best.

These guys will need to step up big time in coverage and in the ground game this week as C.J. Beathard and Jordan Canzeri will pose a problem if these units play the way they did against Penn State.

Next: Special Teams