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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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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 30: Charles Brantley #0 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a fourth quarter interception with teammates while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 30: Charles Brantley #0 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a fourth quarter interception with teammates while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Secondary: C

As mentioned earlier, there is equal blame to be put on the secondary and defensive line for Cade McNamara’s big day through the air. He was able to do whatever he wanted through the air because he had very little pressure on him.

A grade of C might seem generous after surrendering over 380 passing yards and two touchdowns to Cade, but the secondary had a couple of big pass deflections, a QB hurry, the team’s only tackle for loss, and a huge interception to seal the game. Plus, these guys played much better in the second half.

Cade had over 250 passing yards at halftime but was held in check in the second half and the secondary really stepped up outside of one long pass in the fourth quarter.

Charles Brantley’s one-handed interception to seal the win for Michigan State was one of the plays of the game and he had himself a solid overall game with four solo tackles as well.

Ronald Williams played fairly well, I thought, and finished with four tackles and a pass breakup, Xavier Henderson was solid as usual outside of a poor angle on the Wolverines’ first touchdown of the game with seven tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup, and Darius Snow continues to impress me as he finished with 10 tackles.

This group gave up a lot of yards but got stronger as the game progressed.

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