Michigan State football: Defensive PFF Grades vs. Penn State revealed

On Saturday, Michigan State football played their final home game at Spartan Stadium for the 2025 season. In what has been a repeat of the last two games, MSU’s defense held for as long as they could, but succumbed to an onslaught late. The Spartans lost 10-28 as Penn State added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to end any optimism from the home crowd.

Who helped the Spartans stay in the game so late, and who does PFF criticize most in the loss?

Top Five Michigan State Football Defensive PFF Grades Vs. Penn State

• DT Jalen Satchell: 81.0
• DT Grady Kelly: 78.4
• EDGE David Santiago: 73.2
• LB Wayne Matthews III: 72.0
• DE Jalen Thompson: 71.2

On Senior Day, three Spartan defensive seniors stood tall. Satchell, Kelly, and Matthews III all played great games against the Nittany Lions, with all three of them being among the top four in rush defense grades.

All four of the defensive linemen on this list added a half-sack on the day as well, as Ethan Grunkemeyer was challenged by the Spartan front. However, late in the game, the defensive line could not bring the quarterback down and let multiple rollouts happen.

Matthews III, meanwhile, added seven tackles and did not allow a reception the only time he was targeted in coverage.

Bottom Five Michigan State Football Defensive PFF Grades Vs. Penn State

• CB Malcolm Bell: 54.8
• DT Ru’Quan Buckley: 52.5
• S Malik Spencer: 51.7
• S Armorion Smith: 51.3
• DB Khalil Majeed: 50.3

Another week, another edition of PFF holding a grudge against Majeed. All five players celebrated their final game in Spartan Stadium, and PFF claims it was not a game to remember for any of them. Bell was credited with the busted coverage on the 75-yard touchdown to give Penn State a lead that they never gave back.

Buckley and Spencer recorded the lowest tackling grades on the team, sinking their PFF grades. Smith and Majeed got slammed for their coverage grades, in spite of the latter allowing a catch but stopping it for the loss of a yard.

Smith is credited with a missed tackle, and Majeed was whistled for a penalty, hurting their grades.

The Spartans play a challenging Iowa offense next week, and Mark Gronowski is the first non-freshman (or redshirt freshman) the team has seen in four weeks.