Michigan State football: Report card for deflating loss to Washington

Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Tuli Letuligasenoa (91) tackles Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) for no gain during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) passes against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line: D

Notice the picture I used for this page? Yeah, I did that for a reason. That’s what the pass rush looked like all game long against Michael Penix Jr. as he dissected the defense for almost 400 yards and four touchdowns.

Penix was able to sit back in the pocket as long as he wanted and sling the ball down the field and he did this even without his best offensive lineman healthy.

We watched as the defensive line was shut out essentially, recording zero sacks after leading the nation in that category through the first two weeks. The group also only had one tackle for loss and no QB hurries. This was easily the most disappointing performance for this group on the year and there has to be a ton of learning done from the film this week.

Jacob Slade didn’t travel with the team so they were already at a disadvantage, but getting Tank Brown and Jalen Hunt back healthy for the first time this season was supposed to help.

It didn’t.

This group needs to figure it out.

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