Top Defensive Grades
Unlike the offensive grades, plenty of top grades handed out to the defensive side of the ball. All of which came in the front seven of the defense. Reserve linebacker Desmond Little the only player to receive a grade of 90+ in this game. Jaquelin Roy and Maason Smith proved to be a handful inside, Smith ended the night with three sacks. Andre Anthony added 2.5 sacks but graded below BJ Ojulari and Smith. Overall it was a solid performance for the defense.
| Player | Game Grade | Season Grade |
| Desmond Little, LB | 90.0 | 90.0 |
| Jaquelin Roy, DT | 87.9 | 89.8 |
| Damone Clark, LB | 85.1 | 56.0 |
| Micah Baskerville, LB | 81.0 | 62.7 |
| Maason Smith, DT | 78.7 | 75.7 |
Bottom Defensive Grades
| Player | Game Grade | Season Grade |
| Joseph Evans, DT | 51.9 | 52.6 |
| Phillip Webb, LB | 55.1 | 55.1 |
| Darren Evans, CB | 61.4 | 61.4 |
| Bugg Strong, LB | 61.6 | 59.5 |
| Eli Ricks, CB | 62.5 | 68.4 |
The bottom grades have a pair of players who won’t see the field too often with Webb and Darren Evans. The more concerning grades were Joseph Evans, Strong, and Ricks. However, chalk it up to a victory. When the lights are on brighter against SEC foes, one shouldn’t think this is the type of performance you will see.
As New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would say, we’re on to Central Michigan.