What PFF Grades Say About Michigan State Football Defense Vs Nebraska

Michigan State football returned home after a road trip to South Bend, eager to right the ship after a loss to Notre Dame. Unfortunately, Nebraska had other plans, as their star quarterback Anthony Colandrea was able to evade the Spartan rush and help the Cornhusker offense drive down the field an win handily over Michigan State 31-13.

The Spartan defense had solid starts to both halves, but later wore out and surrendered touchdown drives that drove them out of contention, with the offense’s mistakes and injuries dooming them further.

Here is how PFF viewed the defense.

Top Five Grades on Michigan State Football Defense, Week Four

• LB Jordan Hall: 85.8
• DT Ben Roberts: 80.7
• LB Cam Stodghill: 73.2
• DT Mikeshun Beeler: 72.4
• LB Caleb Wheatland: 70.5

Jordan Hall flew around the field when healthy, and continued his tremendous season. Unfortunately, a non-contact lower body injury means there is cause for concern heading into the Wednesday injury report. Hall had the top coverage grade among the team this week at 89.1.

Ben Roberts continued his standout effort on defense this year, with three run stuffs and again recording a pressure. The defensive tackle is turning himself into a threat and more than just a run gap specialist during his final season in East Lansing.

With the team down corners and linebackers, Stodghill stepped up in his first start as a Spartan. The linebacker/safety hybrid from Albany provided solid coverage and four tackles.

Beeler only saw 10 snaps on Saturday, but he made his snaps count, assisting on a tackle along with batting a ball down at the line of scrimmage to force third down, which later got negated by a Kenny Soares Jr. unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the same play.

Wheatland is a rare case where my eye test failed me, as I was negative on the Auburn and Maryland product. He had a solid game, with just under 10 tackles and a solid coverage grade. That said, he did miss two tackles, which was tied for most on the team.

Bottom Five Grades on Michigan State Football Defense, Week Four

• CB Charles Brantley: 59.3
• DT Eli Coenen: 59.1
• EDGE Anelu Lafaele: 58.7
• DL Derrick Simmons: 51.1
• S Devin Vaught: 47.6

Charles Brantley being rated at 59 is surprising, as the corner found himself flagged for a late hit out of bounds and gave up 3 catches for 67 yards. However, he added a pass breakup and 5 tackles on the day, helping raise the score somewhat.

Coenen again struggled with the extra attention from his strong start, although he did get into the backfield twice to pressure Anthony Colandrea. Unfortunately, he also missed two tackles to lower his score.

Lafaele and Simmons each struggled in getting pressure home, although the former did record a pressure and two tackles. Both of the younger players are needed more as the season goes on, and so far results have not been the most outstanding.

Vaught’s grade is a result of Nebraska’s first touchdown being charged solely to him, although Brantley also was trailing in coverage. The safety cut in on a post and let his receiver behind him. Vaught was stout against the run, but that allowed catch and a missed tackle sunk his grade below a 50 on PFF.