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Michigan State Football: Report card for epic win over No. 6 Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III avoids a tackle by Michigan's R.J. Moten during his touchdown run during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211030 Msu Michigan 223a
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III avoids a tackle by Michigan's R.J. Moten during his touchdown run during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211030 Msu Michigan 223a /
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Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) is pushed out of bound by Michigan State linebacker Quavaris Crouch (6) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) is pushed out of bound by Michigan State linebacker Quavaris Crouch (6) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. /

Linebackers: B

If there’s one area that I’d like the linebackers to improve upon moving forward, it’s defending against the pass. I thought we saw Cal Haladay and Quavaris Crouch get beat over the middle quite a bit and that led to a lot of tight end catches.

In fact, Cade McNamara took advantage of that relaxed pass defense over the middle, burning the linebackers for 11 catches for 111 yards between both tight ends. Erick All had a huge day all by himself, putting up 98 yards on 10 catches. He really made those linebackers work and I would have liked to see them focus on him and the running backs in the flats more.

Still, the linebackers had really good showings against the run on Saturday as Crouch led the team with 13 tackles and a pass breakup. He had a huge tackle on a fake punt (Jim Harbaugh said it was a bobbled snap) which didn’t lead to points but it helped change the momentum a bit.

Haladay was tied for second on the team with 10 total tackles and had another one of his solid performances against the run where he was all over the field.

I’d like to see more spy action when mobile quarterbacks are in because JJ McCarthy was able to pick up a couple of solid gains on three carries. Even Cade had a 20-yard run.

These guys played well, but not their best.

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