College Game of the Week: Spartans @ Ducks

It’s an exciting time for us folks at PFF as we’ve decided to take our first steps into looking at the college game. For you guys that means that right now we’ll be hitting a ‘Game of the Week' and giving it the full PFF treatment: grades, stats and snaps, like only we do.

So which game won our fan vote on twitter this week (#PFFGoesToCollege)?

Well, in the end it was something of a landslide, so this week PFF is going to college to break down the Michigan State Spartans' clash with the Oregon Ducks.

Michigan State Performances of Note

Tony Lippet, WR: +1.6

Breakdown: Letting himself down with a drop, but outside of that was a near flawless effort from a player whose route running caused the Oregon defensive backs more than a few problems. Targeted a team-high 15 times, you did feel he was carrying his position group on his shoulders.

Signature Play: Averaged a very healthy 3.33 Yards per Route Run.

Connor Cook, QB: +1.6

Breakdown: No doubt there was some decisions that Cook will want back, but it’s worth noting that he wasn’t afraid to test coverage, a trait NFL quarterbacks need since you can’t always expect your receiver to be wide open.

Signature Stat: While he did take four sacks, he also completed 6-of-8 (with three rushes) on the 14 drop-backs where he faced pressure.

Darian Hicks, CB: +1.4

Breakdown: Was the unfortunate recipient of a pick/ rub (depending on your love of offense or defense) but outside of that you rarely heard his name mentioned. On a day with secondary breakdowns were commonplace, that was a good thing.

Signature Stat: Allowed just one reception into his coverage all game long.

Oregon Performances of Note

DeForest Buckner, DE: +3.7

Breakdown: Had himself a conversion on a two point play but that’s not what impressed it, with his work on defense as good as any. Generated three total pressures, but it was his work in the run game that was top notch.

Signature Play: While his sack with 9:59 to go in the third quarter wasn’t a rip-roaring explosion 'round the edge, it was a nice show of some football smarts as he avoided the cut block, got his hands up to prevent the QB from getting rid of the ball and then finished off the play.

Marcus Mariota, QB: +2.6

Breakdown: As a passer he wasn’t really tested. His big completions saw him hit wide open receivers either by bad defense or creative play calling. Where he really impressed was his ability to turn a broken play into a positive one.

Signature Stat: Forced seven “missed sacks” with the defense in position to bring him down for a loss.

Erik Dargan, S: +2.5

Breakdown: A little bit more impressive than Reggie Daniels, both had themselves a nice time as they came up to make some plays in coverage. Three tackles and one stop won’t catch the eye, but his solid play should.

Signature Play: With 5:55 left in the first quarter he broke nicely on a pass thrown by Connor Cook before taking the ball into the Spartans' half.

Game Ball

And the first PFF Goes to College Game Ball recipient is … DeForest Buckner.

Follow Khaled on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled

To see the full grades for both sides, click to Page 2… 

Michigan State – Offense

Michigan State – Defense

Oregon – Offense

Oregon –  Defense

Follow Khaled on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled