Michigan State football: Offensive PFF grades vs. UCLA are ugly

On Saturday, Michigan State football fell flat against the UCLA Bruins, falling 38-13 on Homecoming. The Spartan offense was stuck looking for answers against the Bruins unit that ranked among the bottom of the Power Four by most categories coming into the game.

Injuries also sent Aidan Chiles, Kristian Phillips, and Michael Masunas to the sidelines, so there was a chance for others to step up.

One of those replacements soared, while another faltered.

Who had the top five offensive PFF grades for Michigan State football this week?

• LT Conner Moore: 74.7
• WR Nick Marsh: 74.6
• RT Ashton Lepo: 73.5
• HB Makhi Frazier: 62.7
• QB Alessio Milivojevic: 60.6

After an abysmal showing against Nebraska in week six, the Spartan tackles rebounded nicely, according to PFF. Ashton Lepo’s 80.5 pass block grade was second Kristian Phillips among the team. Moore struggled against the pass, but his run blocking grade was the best in the Big Ten this week.

Nick Marsh and Alessio Milivojevic had a few connections late, as the receiver tried to will the Spartans back into respectable territory. Marsh also added his fourth touchdown on the season with his 77 yards. Milivojevic had his first career 100-yard gain, finishing with exactly the century mark on 8-for-18 passing. With Aidan Chiles’ status in doubt, the redshirt freshman could be called upon.

With the amount of time MSU spent trailing, Makhi Frazier had limited touches, but his 4.8 yards per carry spoke for itself. Efforts to involve him in the passing game, however, did not turn out so well.

Bottom five offensive PFF grades, Michigan State football

• FB Jay Coyne: 52.2
• LT Rustin Young: 52.0
• TE Jack Velling: 47.6
• TE Michael Masunas: 45.0
• TE Kai Rios: 28.7

It was not a good day to be a Spartan tight end. All three that entered the game rated as the lowest on the team, via PFF. Michael Masunas had a few drops, and also missed action with injury. His PFF grade is officially the lowest of his career, alongside the fifth-worst outing in the Smith era by an offensive starter.

Rios replaced Masunas, and his role as TE5 (behind the injured Brennan Parachek and Jayden Savoury) was shown. Rios did not rate well as a blocker, and dropped his first target as a receiver. With the unknown status of both injured tight ends, Rios may have more chances to step up.

Young did not have the same promise he showed against USC, with the redshirt freshman coming off the bench for back-to-back series in the first half. He allowed a sack and did not see the game after the second drive concluded, besides on extra point. With the other two tackles excelling, there was not much debate. Young’s 16.7 PFF grade against the pass was the worst in the conference by a lineman this week.

Coyne only saw three offensive snaps, but they included two failures on fourth-and-shorts and that doomed his grade. With the tight end injuries, it is worth wondering if he will see his first career snap at tight end if Masunas cannot be a “go” this week.

The Spartans face an extremely well coached and dangerous Indiana defense this week. Offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said the unit is excited for the chance, but there is a lot to be fixed and improved in a short time to try to compete against the No. 3 team in the nation.