Michigan State football: Offensive PFF Grades Revealed vs. Penn State

On Saturday, Michigan State football lost 10-28 to Penn State. The Spartans finished their home season against Penn State with a whimper, as the offense could not spark much after a 57-yard Elijah Tau-Tolliver house call to begin the game.

That said, some players shined in spite of the adversity and self-inflicted wounds.

Who shined, and who aided the fall for the Spartans on Saturday?

Top Five Offensive PFF Grades by Michigan State Football vs. Penn State

• TE Michael Masunas: 90.2
• RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver: 75.4
• HB Makhi Frazier: 69.5
• RT Conner Moore: 64.8
• HB Brandon Tullis: 63.2

Michael Masunas dominated the day for Michigan State football, with his 90.2 grade being the second highest grade by any Spartan on offense in a game this season, among players with 10+ snaps in a game.

His run blocking led the team, and that helped all three Spartan running backs to have slots in the top five PFF grades. Tau-Tolliver recorded over 150 yards from scrimmage on the day. Frazier had a few good runs, but was bottled up, and Tullis had a single run for six yards.

Moore was one of main right side blockers on Tau-Tolliver’s touchdown run, helping boost his grade.

Bottom Five Offensive PFF Grades by Michigan State Football vs. Penn State

• QB Alessio Milivojevic: 53.0
• WR Nick Marsh: 50.8
• RG Rakeem Johnson: 50.0
• TE Jack Velling: 48.5
• LT Rustin Young: 34.7

The Spartans struggled offensively, there is a lot of blame to go around. Milivojevic is unfairly on this list, with the quarterback having little time to throw and being sacked five times, being hammered two more times for penalties. Even then, he barely sneaks on this list after a late fumble dropped his grade.

Johnson and Young each played a full game with the Spartans, and the redshirt freshmen each gave up sacks and tackles for loss. However, the learning pains against one of the best defensive lines in the Big Ten offers some mercy. However, a 0.0 pass block grade by Young must be improved if the Hawaiian wants a chance to be part of the future for the Spartans.

Marsh and Velling have each had prior success with Milivojevic at quarterback in the past, but the pressure and tight coverage on the two completely ended any connection on the day. Marsh finished with a career-low five yards. Velling got one catch in on his Senior Day, but it was much too late in the contest.