Michigan State Football: Report card for win over No. 24 Miami

Sep 18, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) hands the ball to running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 18, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Jacub Panasiuk (96) sacks Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King (1) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers: B+

I continue to be impressed with this group and I honestly don’t give the front enough credit for stopping the run, but the Spartans rarely get burned on the ground. In fact, Miami finished with just 52 rushing yards on 24 carries and the longest rush of the day was an 11-yard scamper by Cam’Ron Harris.

Cal Haladay has been the biggest surprise of the year at linebacker and he had yet another solid game against Miami, finishing with six tackles and somehow finding himself in just about every play. I don’t know what he did this offseason, but he needs to keep it up.

Quavaris Crouch had a solid game as well, finishing with three tackles, a pass deflection, and a quarterback hurry. He didn’t put up big numbers, but he had an impact and made a fantastic play on third down on a scrambling D’Eriq King who came up short of a first. He also forced a fumble and recovered it on Miami’s first drive.

Chase Kline had a couple of tackles and Ben VanSumeren had a stop of his own.

This group is deep and Mel Tucker has to feel good about his two-deep there.

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