Michigan State Football Takes Down Toledo

On Friday night, Pat Fitzgerald opened up his era of Michigan State football with a victory. As the lights shone bright, Fitzgerald and the Spartans turned the power out on Toledo in the first half, but then let them come back late. Ultimately, the Spartans fought back after a Toledo lead to win 30-20.

Here’s the run down on what happened.

First Half

In the first quarter, the Spartans started hot, with a touchdown on their opening drive of the Fitzgerald era courtesy of eight Cam Edwards carries, with the last being a two yard wildcat punch in.

After forcing a second Toledo punt, the Spartans drove again, this time settling for a 32-yard field goal by Liam Boyd after Rod Bullard Jr. could not haul in a ball in the endzone.

The scariest moment of the quarter happened when senior captain and linebacker Jordan Hall went down injured, although he did return to play with a brace on his right arm.

Liam Boyd was back in action during the second quarter, knocking in a 42-yarder after Kenny Soares Jr. got an interception when dropping into coverage on a zone blitz. Soares, a team captain with the honorary No. 1 jersey, showed off his athleticism, tipping the ball up and then coming down with his own deflection.

The Rockets struck back with a double move touchdown by junior wide receiver Adjatay Dobbs, beating Chuck Brantley in coverage. Before that play, the Spartans had got their first sack of the season via corner blitz by Tre Bell.

Boyd was able to knock in a career-long 48-yarder and then a 35-yard shot to put the half at 19-7. As the half wore on, the Spartans had saw two lineman called for holding penalties and allowed two sacks, along with seeing Alessio Milivojevic hit on three straight plays in their two-minute drill.

Second Half

Out of half, the Spartans again drove the ball, but a sack disrupted the drive again. Liam Boyd came on for a 54-yard field goal, which was blocked.

Toledo took that moment and carried it down the field, with another Dabbs touchdown to cut the Spartan lead to 5. The Spartans were unable to respond, being forced to punt and giving the Rockets a go-ahead opportunity on their eight-yard line.

MSU forced their own punt, with McCray returning the ball to the MSU 42.

The Spartans drove to the Toledo 29, but a big stop on fourth down and a 71-yard touchdown run later, the Rockets grabbed their first lead of the game with 13:47 to play. Connor Walendzak went untouched up the middle and barely crossed inside the pylon.

The Spartans woke up for the next drive, with Alessio Milivojevic finding Rod Bullard Jr. four times, including a fourth down touchdown and a two-point conversion over Armorion Smith.

The Rockets drove inside the MSU20, but a Mikeshun Beeler second-down run stuff and then a pressure ended the attempt with a missed field goal.

Michigan State football had their response ready, driving down the field with gritty Cam Edwards runs. The Spartans hit their own field goal attempt, this one a new career long for Liam Boyd (again), from 52 yards out.

Toledo’s chance to responded was hurt by a penalty before pressures and timely tackles ended the comeback. Tyran Chappell broke up a pass and Toledo let the clock run out.

The Spartans emerged victorious, but it was not complete or pretty.

FINAL

MSU 30

Toledo 20

Stat Leaders

• Alessio Milivojevic: 26-of-34, 247 yards, 1 TD
• Cam Edwards: 27 carries for 98 yards
• Rod Bullard Jr.: 7 catches for 90 yards, 1 TD
• Liam Boyd: 5-of-6 field goals, long of 52, 2-of-2 extra points