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Michigan State Football: Report card for shutout win over Akron

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Derrick Harmon celebrates after a tackle for a loss against Akron during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.220910 Msu Akron Fb 224a
Michigan State's Derrick Harmon celebrates after a tackle for a loss against Akron during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.220910 Msu Akron Fb 224a /
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Sep 10, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Charles Brantley (0) breaks up a pass intended for Akron Zips running back Anthony Williams Jr. (2) in the third quarter. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Charles Brantley (0) breaks up a pass intended for Akron Zips running back Anthony Williams Jr. (2) in the third quarter. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

Secondary: C+

It was a tale of two halves (or quarterbacks) for the secondary.

Against DJ Irons, the secondary really couldn’t figure out a way to stop him. He finished his day 9-for-13 through the air with 123 yards and if not for some bad fumbles, he probably would have engineered a couple of touchdown drives through the air. He was also able to make it to the second level with his legs, rushing for 30 yards on seven carries.

If Irons played the entire game, the secondary probably would have gotten a C-, at best, but it really settled down against Jeff Undercuffler Jr. and made some plays. There were a couple of dropped picks but they held Undercuffler to just 80 yards on 22 attempts.

Michigan State’s defensive backs didn’t get burned deep, but that start against Irons really sticks out and that’s why this group is getting a C+ instead of a B+/A- that they would’ve earned against Undercuffler.

I liked what I saw from Kendell Brooks again as he looks like the best player in the secondary through two weeks. Ameer Speed led the team in tackles with nine and had one for loss as he showed flashes, Charles Brantley should have had a pick, and Chester Kimbrough’s improvement is obvious.

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