Michigan State football: Report card for clutch overtime win over Wisconsin

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Jayden Reed #1 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after making the game-winning reception against the Wisconsin Badgers in double overtime at Spartan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 02: Simeon Barrow #8 of Michigan State celebrates his fumble recovery late in the second quarter against Western Michigan with teammates Jeff Pietrowski #47 and Zion Young #18 at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /

Defensive line: B

This was the first time that I can remember over the past month that the defensive line had a pulse.

A reason for this return to form? The return of Jacob Slade.

Having Slade back just gives the opposing offensive line another guy to worry about up the middle and focus on. Because of this, Simeon Barrow ate and Brandon Wright really played well on the edge. Although Slade had just one tackle in his first game back, Barrow finished with a sack and two tackles for loss and Wright had a sack and five tackles.

Derrick Harmon had another solid game on the interior and Zion Young’s first start went well as he had five tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.

The line is far from fully healthy with no Jeff Pietrowski and no Khris Bogle still, but this was a good sign getting Slade back.

We saw pressure on Graham Mertz and that forced him into some bad throws.

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