Michigan State football: Breaking down the Nebraska offensive PFF grades

Michigan State football traveled down to Memorial Stadium in Nebraska to challenge the Cornhuskers for their second straight road contest on the year. The upset-minded Spartans showed fight, but ultimately came up short late, falling 38-27. How did PFF grade the Michigan State football offense on Saturday? Here are the top five and bottom five.

Top Five Spartans on Offense against Nebraska, via PFF

• QB Alessio Milivojevic: 82.8
• C Matt Gulbin: 69.6
• WR Evan Boyd: 69.2
• OG Gavin Broscious: 65.4
• RB Makhi Frazier: 63.8

Overall, Alessio Milivojevic showed the flashes that the staff and players have been hinting at since spring practices. The redshirt freshman got his first completion and showed great poise and an ability to work through progressions.

The lineman, Gulbin and Broscious, continue their road warrior streak. Gulbin has easily been the best Spartan on the line thus far in the year, and is performing as one of the top in the country. Broscious is continuing his solid streak, outplaying his competition in Kris Phillips and Caleb Carter for the second straight week.

Boyd played under ten snaps, subbing in for Nick Marsh, who was under the weather the week of the game. The Central Michigan transfer got his first catch as a Spartan and showed an ability to step up when called upon.

Frazier played well, but with tackle slots underperforming, it was hard for the back to break free. Add in a failed cut block on the first sack of the game, and his grades were prevented from being much better. It is concerning to see him allow a sack with his backup, Brandon Tullis, having struggles as a protector.

Bottom Five Spartans on Offense against Nebraska, via PFF

• OG Caleb Carter: 52.4
• TE Michael Masunas: 52.1
• QB Aidan Chiles: 50.0
• OT Ashton Lepo: 43.0
• HB Elijah Tau-Tolliver: 42.3

Caleb Carter struggled against Nebraska on Saturday, with his 12.3 pass block grade being some of the worst in week six. He lost snaps to Gavin Broscious and Kristian Phillips as the game went on.

Michael Masunas was relied upon less than normal, with the Spartans electing to send Chrishon McCray on field for 50 snaps instead, relying on a deep passing game, which was unsuccessful.

Aidan Chiles got injured early and never seemed right again after that, doing the rest of his damage on the ground. With bad blocking, is was all he could do at points.

Ashton Lepo had a bad day, with the broadcast, social media, and PFF all taking turns to rag on him. For a statistical breakdown, check this article about the tackle performance.

Tau-Tolliver had an early drop and that wound up being the game for him, as the staff elected not to use him for most of the game after that play early.

Overall, the Spartans showed flashes in the middle part of the game, but it was not enough. They will be facing UCLA this weekend in a hope to bounce back.