Michigan State Football: Report card for loss to Arizona State

Michigan State Football: Grading Spartans’ performance in Arizona State loss

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans drops back to pass during the first half of the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Eno Benjamin #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils rushes the football under pressure from linebacker Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Linebackers: B-

Missed tackles. That was the theme of the game on Saturday as the linebackers, along with the defensive backfield, missed plenty of wide open tackles, which costed the Spartans’ defense some forced punts.

Don’t get me wrong, the linebackers combined with the defensive line to completely shut down Arizona State’s run game, but they struggled to bring down the shifty receivers in the open field and in the flat.

Joe Bachie was decent, but didn’t have his best game for the Spartans. His worst play wasn’t even at linebacker, it was in punt protection when he was trying to make a block and was blown up by a defender which led to a blocked punt late in the game. He finished with 10 tackles, leading the team, and a sack.

Andrew Dowell played a better game than I think people give him credit for, making six tackles and two for loss. He was all over the field and stepped up when the Spartans needed him.

With Tyriq Thompson out, I thought Brandon Bouyer-Randle played well, but he, too, missed some open-field tackles that led to first downs. He had three tackles and one for loss, but he did show promise.

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