Michigan State Football: Report card from upset win over Penn State

Michigan State football pulled off a mammoth upset of Penn State in Week 10 and here’s what the report card looks like.

The 2017 season has already exceeded expectations for fans. Some were wondering if Michigan State football would even make a bowl game heading into the year, but that question has since been answered. Yes, the Spartans will be bowling, but there are still three games left for the 7-2 team to prove something.

Following a mammoth upset win over No. 7 Penn State on Saturday, the Spartans are looking to win the Big Ten East. That will take plenty of effort, especially this weekend when traveling to Columbus to take on Ohio State.

The Spartans control their own destiny and Mark Dantonio has put this team in a position to succeed. Winning out would give Michigan State a spot in the conference championship. Even beating Ohio State and losing one of the final games would still likely give the Spartans the East.

Here’s what the report card looks like from the Week 10 upset win over Penn State.

Once again, the running lanes weren’t open for Michigan State as much as the Spartans would have liked. The offensive line struggled in run blocking, but did get enough to lead to an LJ Scott rushing touchdown. The team finished with just 74 rushing yards on 24 carries. That must improve, but the conditions may have played a role in that.

As for pass protection, the offensive line stepped up yet again. Brian Lewerke was sacked twice, but one happened to be a product of him holding onto the ball too long and not feeling the pressure. Two sacks in 58-plus drop-backs? That’s solid.

Where the line did have mistakes, though, was in its discipline. Far too many times there would be penalties for false start, holding and illegal blocks by the line, which just can’t happen. Time to clean that stuff up.