Peppers is now a threat in all three phases

(Photo: Tony Ding Associated Press)When Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers first appeared on offense late in the first half Saturday, Michigan State called a time-out.

The redshirt freshman had only appeared on offense as a safety valve on kneeldowns this season, so there was no way for the Spartans to know how he would be used. Standing to the right of the quarterback, it wasn't even clear whether he was a receiver or would take a handoff.

So the Spartans lined up again, saw Peppers still there and called time-out. Again. Peppers nodded in approval toward the Spartans' sideline.

Finally, they had to actually play, and Peppers ran a wheel route to the right side. The ball didn't come his way. MSU…