STOCK WATCH
EAST LANSING — Free Press sports writer Chris Solari breaks down the Michigan State players who helped or hurt their stock in the Spartans’ 37-33 win Saturday against Michigan.
Three up
Spartans Insider
OL Kevin Jarvis/AJ Arcuri: Credit the right side of MSU’s offensive line as a big reason for Kenneth Walker III’s monster game. Walker ran behind Jarvis at guard and Arcuri at tackle for much of the afternoon, including his 58-yard tying touchdown and 23-yard go-ahead score. The whole line created creases for Walker to slip through, but Jarvis and Arcuri worked in tandem to spring the big runs, with some help from tight ends Connor Heyward and Tyler Hunt.
LB Quavaris Crouch: The Tennessee transfer's best all-around performance at MSU couldn’t have come at a better time. Crouch had a career high of 13 tackles for the second straight game while adding a pass breakup. The junior continues to use his speed and athleticism to make those plays, but he appeared more sure of himself and his assignments while maintaining his responsibilities and gaps.
CB Charles Brantley: The freshman looked sharp in the second half at Miami (Florida) before falling behind veteran transfers Ronald Williams II, Chester Kimbrough and Marqui Lowery. But Brantley again emerged as a second-half force by limiting U-M freshman receiver Andrel Anthony with tight coverage. Anthony had four catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns in the first half and just two catches for 19 yards in the final two quarters after Brantley entered the game. Brantley also flashed jarring hits in space among his four tackles, while his one-handed, gameclinching interception with a minute to play showed his athleticism and eye discipline.
Three down
Third-down defense: MSU’s defense again had issues on third down, allowing the Wolverines to convert eight of ther 17 chances. Two of Michigan's touchdowns came on third-down passes, and six of the Wolverines' eight conversions came on third-and-5 or longer. The Spartans allow opponents to convert nearly 40% of third-down tries, which ranks 76th in the nation and is the third-most in the Big Ten.
LT Luke Campbell: The sixth-year senior has been a fantastic story this season and one of the reasons MSU has been able to rotate in its offensive line backups as a unit. But against Michigan defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo late in the first half, Campbell struggled. He gave up a sack of Payton Thorne, then, two plays later, got beat again for another takedown, a sign of what injuries have done to his body over the past six seasons. Campbell retreated to the bench for the bulk of the second half, with starter Jarrett Horst going the rest of the way.
WR Tre Mosley: With Jalen Nailor out in the second half, Mosley seemed to be the ideal option at No. 2 receiver. Instead, Montorie Foster took over Nailor’s role, while Jayden Reed remained Thorne's go-to option. Mosley went without an official catch for the first time this season, and just the second time in his 19-game career. Still, the Spartans needed Mosley’s 2-point conversion catch on a crisp route in the back of the end zone following Walker’s third touchdown.