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

Defensive backs: C

This grade may be a little too harsh considering the cornerbacks played well, but Khari Willis and David Dowell had one of the worst games of their careers.

You have to tip your cap to Manny Wilkins who found a way to beat the Spartans’ secondary with short passes and hit his biggest throw to N’Keal Harry in the fourth quarter to tie the game. He completed 30-of-48 passes for 380 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Matt Morrissey got the secondary’s lone pick and made some decent plays, but he, too, was out of place and confused on multiple occasions. Locating the ball seemed to be a problem with the safeties and the lone touchdown by the Sun Devils was in one-on-one coverage as Harry overpowered Layne when the safety was nowhere to be found over the top.

Layne, on the other hand, played a strong game. He locked in on Harry for most of the contest and held him in check until the final touchdown. He was flagged for holding and interference, but he actually was impressive for three-plus quarters.

In that same breath, Josh Butler was also a strong performer. These two cornerbacks salvaged the grade for the defensive backfield this week. If it weren’t for them, this unit would get a D-.