Michigan State Football: Report card from overtime win over Nebraska

Michigan State football needed overtime to put Nebraska away on Saturday night, but the atmosphere at Spartan Stadium was the best it’s been in years.

Mel Tucker said after the game that the team fed off the home crowd and even when it looked like things were heading toward a disastrous loss, the fans stayed in it and Michigan State found a way to win. Beating the Cornhuskers in overtime wasn’t exactly what we expected from this game, but a win’s a win and the Spartans have to feel fortunate to be 4-0 right now.

A solid first half, a disastrous second half, and a strong overtime showing led to the Spartans’ fourth win of the season and they’re now ranked No. 17 in the nation.

Which position group received the highest grade from Saturday’s win?

Offensive Line: C-

The offensive line had a really bad day on Saturday, getting blown up in the trenches and leaving no running lanes for Kenneth Walker III.

Payton Thorne was also sacked three times and the Cornhuskers recorded nine tackles for loss on the Spartans. This was one of those forgettable games and if the offensive line doesn’t improve, you have to think that it’s going to be an issue all season long.

Chris Kapilovic has done a solid job with the line, for the most part, this season, but he had his work cut out for him and it looks like weaknesses are still prevalent.

Not picking up blitz, getting blown up right away, not opening running lanes, and making Thorne run for his life, it was a bad day for this group.