Michigan State Football: Report card for Notre Dame win

Much like the defensive line, the linebackers would have gotten a much higher grade had the play-calling favored blitz packages in the fourth quarter after mounting a 36-7 lead. However, guys like Chris Frey, Riley Bullough and Jon Reschke backed off and allowed Kizer to sling the ball wherever he wanted to late in the game.

Still, this unit helped the defensive line out tremendously and put extra pressure on Kizer in the second and third, leading to a gigantic run on the scoreboard. While we didn’t see any Ed Davis, Frey played that role to perfection, blitzing from the outside and using his athleticism to force bad throws and stop the run.

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The Spartans held Notre Dame to just 57 rushing yards on 25 carries and most of the production came from Kizer who had two rushing scores. The leading rusher, Josh Adams, finished with just 29 yards on 12 carries. It was the run defense against Furman that had Spartan Nation worried, but it clearly figured some things out.

Bullough was quiet in this one, recording just four tackles, while Frey was limited to two tackles as well. Reschke, coming back from an injury after missing the first game, was the player of the game on defense, recording eight tackles and a huge interception in the third quarter.

Andrew Dowell had four tackles and a sack, continuing to prove that he’s the future at the linebacker position for Michigan State.

Once Ed Davis sees the field, this unit will be a force to reckoned with.