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Michigan State Football: Report card for Week 4 win at Indiana

By Connor Muldowney

BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 22: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to throw the ball under pressure from Charles Campbell #93 and Nile Sykes #35 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 22: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to throw the ball under pressure from Charles Campbell #93 and Nile Sykes #35 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – AUGUST 31: Darwin Thompson #5 of the Utah State Aggies tries to get around the tackle of Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 38-31.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – AUGUST 31: Darwin Thompson #5 of the Utah State Aggies tries to get around the tackle of Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 38-31.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

B-. . LB. Michigan State. LINEBACKERS

It was hard to tell on some of the short passing plays if the linebackers were to blame, but it may have just been the scheme the Spartan coaching staff was running.

Michigan State seems content with allowing the little dinks and dunks, which is frustrating to watch, but there were times where the outside linebackers were out of place — that led to a second-half 65-yard touchdown pass which made things tighter than they needed to be. Antjuan Simmons looked to step up and Peyton Ramsey hit a receiver over the middle right past him.

Against the pass, especially in the flats and against the Hoosiers’ running backs, the linebackers were struggling. This group looked to be out of place against the pass more often than not, but again, it may be more on the coaches than anything.

Versus the run, the linebackers were stellar. All holes were clogged and Stevie Scott was held to just 18 rushing yards on 11 carries, which was the difference in this one. The backers helped maintain the No. 1 run defense in the nation, allowing a total of 29 rushing yards on 32 carries.

Joe Bachie led the team in tackles — no surprise there — with nine while Andrew Dowell tied him for the team-lead with nine takedowns, two for loss and a sack.

Tyriq Thompson had a strong game with three tackles, Brandon Bouyer-Randle had two tackles and a sack, Jon Reschke had two tackles and Antjuan Simmons added one.

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