Michigan State Football: Report card from overtime win over Nebraska

Secondary: B-

For yet another game, the Spartans played the ‘bend but don’t break’ defensive scheme in which the defensive backs were 5-10 yards off the line of scrimmage, at minimum, and Adrian Martinez was able to take advantage. The veteran quarterback picked apart the defense for 251 yards on 24-of-34 completions, keeping the offense on the field in large doses.

Michigan State’s secondary luckily didn’t look worn down at the end of the game as they came up with some big stops and the reason they got a B- and not a C is because of Chester Kimbrough’s pick in overtime as well as the fact that they didn’t give up a touchdown through the air.

Plus, Xavier Henderson is playing the best football of his career and he’s a potential All-Big Ten first-teamer this season. He finished with 17 (!!) total tackles to go along with a tackle for loss. It’s not a great sign when your safety is leading the team in tackles, but he is also aggressive and steps up in the run constantly.

Angelo Grose was solid with seven tackles and he continues to play solid and I’m also impressed with Darius Snow. Michael Dowell had five tackles, Ronald Williams had three tackles, and Charles Brantley continues to impress which may be the reason Kalon Gervin entered the portal.