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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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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)
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) /

LINEBACKERS . A-. . LB. Michigan State

To be a linebacker in the Big Ten, you need to be tough and able to stop the run on a consistent basis, plugging running lanes often. Michigan State’s group of linebackers has been one of the best in the conference through six games and a big reason as to why the Spartans rank eighth in the nation against the run — the defensive line has been a major factor as well.

Led by Joe Bachie, this group has been tough, gritty and flat-out nightmarish for opposing offenses — just ask Michigan. The freshman middle linebacker has been an All-Big Ten caliber talent, racking up 50 total tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and a pass deflection through six games. If he keeps this up, he will have a monster year.

Chris Frey, the team’s second captain, has been solid at the outside linebacker position. He’s not putting up huge numbers, but it’s because he doesn’t need to with that defensive line clogging holes on its own. Plus, defenses like to run away from him. He has 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Lastly, Andrew Dowell has had a nice bounce-back season thus far. He has 38 total tackles, a sack and a pass deflection. He’s very disruptive on blitzes and has tremendous athleticism sideline-to-sideline.

Other guys who have performed well in limited time are Byron Bullough, Shane Jones, Antjuan Simmons and Tyriq Thompson.

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