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Michigan State Football: Report card for first half of 2017 season

By Connor Muldowney

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble as quarterback Conor Rhoda #15 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles him during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble as quarterback Conor Rhoda #15 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles him during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble as quarterback Conor Rhoda #15 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles him during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble as quarterback Conor Rhoda #15 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles him during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

B+. . DL. Michigan State. DEFENSIVE LINE

While the offensive line is young, the defensive line may be even younger and less experienced, but this group is maturing quickly. After posting just 11 sacks throughout the entire 2016 season which ranked 124th in the country out of 128 teams. That just wasn’t going to cut it this season.

However, the Spartans lost Malik McDowell to the NFL and a number of other players. This was arguably the least-trusted position group heading into the year, but it has been one of the brightest spots thus far.

In fact, the Spartans seem to get an adequate amount of pressure on opposing quarterbacks each week (13 sacks through six games) and guys like Mike Panasiuk, Raequan Williams, Naquan Jones and Gerald Owens have been forced in the middle while Kenny Willekes, Brandon Randle, Jacub Panasiuk and Demetrius Cooper have been strong on the edges.

Willekes might be the biggest breakout star. The former walk-on defensive end has 31 total tackles and three sacks — all of his sacks have come in the past two games. He’s quickly becoming a star for the Spartans.

This group is coming together quite nicely.

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