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

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans runs back a second half interception in front of DeAndre Thompkins #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans runs back a second half interception in front of DeAndre Thompkins #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan State. DEFENSIVE BACKS. C. . DB

It was a rough game for the defensive backs yet again. For the second week in a row, the defensive backfield failed to learn from its mistakes as the game wore on, allowing about 190 yards through the air in each half.

Although David Dowell did pick Trace McSorley off two times and the unit held him to just 26-of-47 completions, they didn’t quite make him work for his 380 yards. He was able to find his receivers and tight ends in the flats all day. That’s partially on the linebackers, but the safeties must come up and finish their assignments.

Mike Gesicki, Saquon Barkley and DaeSean Hamilton burned the Spartan secondary all day long. Barkley even lined up as a receiver and had no problem getting open in a soft spot in the secondary. This unit needs to get back on track, and soon.

Dowell did have those two picks and four tackles, Khari Willis led the team with 11 total tackles, a sack and a pass deflection, Josiah Scott had six tackles and a pass deflection and Justin Layne had two tackles and two passes defended.

Coverage needs to wake up, though.

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