Michigan State Football: Positional report card from Iowa victory

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 30: Linebacker Chris Frey #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after recovering a fumble by wide receiver Brandon Smith of the Iowa Hawkeyes and returning it 11 yards during the third quarter at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Iowa 17-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans closes in on quarterback Jon Wassink #16 of the Western Michigan Broncos during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 9, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Western Michigan 24-14. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

. DL. Michigan State. DEFENSIVE LINE. B+

One of the biggest surprises — pleasant ones, at that — this season has to be the effectiveness of the defensive line. For a position group that lost as much talent due to attrition this past offseason, it has played exceptionally well through four weeks.

In fact, although the linebackers and defensive backs have some of their own, the defensive line has attributed to nine total sacks in four games — the Spartans had just 11 all of last year.

Up front, the Spartans fared well against a strong Iowa offensive line. Michigan State got a push and that led to eight QB hurries and three sacks. Nathan Stanley was uncomfortable in the pocket all day long, which led to his inaccuracy down the field.

Raequan Wiliams had four total tackles, 0.5 for loss and a QB hurry, Demetrius Cooper had three tackles, a sack and a couple of QB hurries. He looked better than he has in over a year. Robert Bowers and Kenny Willekes each had two tackles and 0.5 for loss. Naquan Jones, Mike Panasiuk and Gerald Owens also looked solid.

This unit is coming together quicker than we expected.

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