Snap Counts, PFF Grades: A much improved passing game for Michigan State against Maryland

Michigan State won last week, but didn’t necessarily have a huge advantage, especially on offense.

This week the Spartans picked up another win and this time there is every reason to celebrate, especially on offense and in the passing game.

The Spartans beat Maryland 27-24 on Saturday for their first Big Ten win of the Jonathan Smith era, and compared to a narrow Week 1 win over FAU, Pro Football Focus’ ratings showed a marked improvement.

* Aidan Chiles 74

* Luke Newman 74

* Tanner Miller 74

* Montorie Foster Jr. 69

* Jack Velling 62

Nick Marsh 61

* Ashton Lepo 59

* Brandon Baldwin 53

* Nate Carter 47

* Gavin Broscious 46

* Jaron Glover 39

Stanton Ramil 36

* Michael Masunas 33

Dallas Fincher 28

Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams 27

Antonio Gates Jr. 17

Aziah Johnson 9

Brennan Skydiver 3

Ademola Faleye 2

Tyneil Hopper 1

* Malik Spencer 68

* Charles Brantley 68

* Nikai Martinez 62

* Cal Haladay 54

* Angelo Grose 49

* Jordan Turner 47

* Jalen Thompson 41

* Chris Bogle 41

* D’Quan Douse 40

Jalen Satchell29

Anthony Jones 28

Ken Talley 27

Maverick Hansen 27

* Alex VanSumeren 25

* Ed Woods25

Darius Snow 25

Wayne Matthews III 24

Jordan Hall 22

Jeremiah Hughes 22

Chance Rucker 17

Goodbye Willie 4

Ru’Quan Buckley 2

Aveon Size 1

* After his breakout performance of eight catches, 194 yards and a touchdown, Nick Marsh is now the fourth-highest-rated freshman receiver in the country with a receiving grade of 79.8. Only Auburn’s Perry Thompson, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Nebraska’s Jacory Barney Jr. have a higher grade. His offensive grade on Saturday was Michigan State’s best.

* Michigan State’s passing grade as a team rose from 48.0 in the first game to 77.9 in the second game. Aidan Chiles was credited with three “big time throws” against Maryland and his yards per attempt (9.3) was nearly double what he had in the Spartans’ opening game.

* Darius Snow was Michigan State’s top-graded defensive player with three tackles that were considered stops (a failure of the offense) and three catches on six passes targeted.

* As a team, Michigan State has the fourth-best tackling grade in the Big Ten at 80.5, with a total of 15 missed tackles through two games.

* The Spartans’ biggest regression from Week 1 to Week 2 was pass blocking. The Spartans went from five pressures and no sacks in the opener to 19 pressures and two sacks on Saturday against Maryland. Michigan State has the lowest pass blocking grade in the Big Ten.