The Michigan State Spartans kicked off the season with a 23-6 win against the Western Michigan Broncos out of the MAC conference. Michigan St. head coach Johnathan Smith is entering his second year with Michigan St. after six seasons with Oregon State. Smith had a record of 34-35 and an 8-4 record in his final year. That year, the Beavers lost to Notre Dame in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Coach Smith should have a much better year, after a 5-7 record last year with the Spartans.
The Spartan offense put up 23 points, 21 of them by the offense. On the first drive of the game for the Spartans, they went 10 plays and 74 yards ending with a 12-yard touchdown run from Brandon Tullis. Tullis along with Makhi Frazier had a great day in the backfield. Frazier ran for 103 yards with a touchdown, Tullis ran for 52 yards, also with a touchdown. The quarterback for Michigan St., Aiden Chiles, had a great first game going 17-for-23 with 155 yards and one touchdown. Chiles struggled with interceptions last year and looks to have an improved second season. Nick Marsh was the only receiver with a touchdown, but Omari Kelly had seven receptions for 75 yards.
The Spartan defense was outstanding allowing 0 points throughout the whole game (the backup quarterback threw a pick six). Michigan State’s only points in the second half came from a safety. The Western Michigan starting quarterback Brady Jones was 11-for-23 with one interception. The Western Michigan running backs had just 29 yards. The Spartan’s defense was impressive by not allowing the Broncos to get the run game or the pass game going.
Michigan State takes on Boston College in Week 2, followed by Youngtown State to end the non-conference play. The Spartans have two tough road Big Ten games to start against USC and Nebraska. If they can continue this dominance, the Spartans are set for a much better season.
