Penn State vs. Michigan State Position Grades

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers:

Oh boy.  We’ve seen better days from this unit and Saturday was not one of those days.  The linebackers missed tackles and couldn’t get much pressure when defensive coordinator Bob Shoop dialed up blitzes.

Jason Cabinda led this group with 13 tackles.  He also was shrugged off like a twig when Michigan State’s center Jack Allen ran in a touchdown from 9 yards out.  A center ran in for a touchdown…think about that for a minute.

After having a great game against Michigan, Brandon Bell was quiet, only tallying 5 tackles.  Troy Reeder also had 5 tackles and Manny Bowen ended the day with 3 tackles.

So for the front seven and the defense as a whole, no sacks and no tackles for loss.  First time all year that’s happened.  This was an exhausted unit by the end of the day and it showed.

Grade: F

Next: Secondary