Michigan State Football Pulls Away Late, Decimates Eastern Michigan

The second game of the Pat Fitzgerald era occurred on Saturday, with Michigan State football taking on in-state foe Eastern Michigan. The Spartans walked in as three-possession favorites in the first meeting of teams since 2014, when MSU won 73-14.

The injury bug hit the team pre-game, as starting linebacker Jordan Hall and rotational receiver KK Smith were revealed as out before the kickoff.

The Spartans looked closely matched to the Eagles at half, but blanked Eastern Michigan and scored three touchdowns in the second half to pull away 35-7.

Here is a recap of the game.

First Quarter

The Spartans won the toss and elected to differ. Defensively, there were three new starters, with Dion Crawford, Keanhist Thompson, and Tyran Chappell each making their first career starts for MSU. The Spartans forced a punt after video review spotted the Eagles short on third down.

MSU had an ugly series in response, allowing two pressure, including a sack, forcing the Spartans to punt the ball away. Rhys Dakin sent one perfectly for 59 yards after a pre-snap penalty, with Tre Bell finishing the play by forcing it out at the EMU3.

Former Spartan starting QB Noah Kim scrambled for a first down with a third-down rush, but then was sacked on second down by Kenny Soares Jr. to force a draw and punt.

Chrishon McCray set up the Spartans at the EMU24 with a 31-yard return, and three plays later Alessio Milivojevic had a pro-level throw to Fredrick Moore for the receiver’s second career touchdown and first in the green and white.

Eli Coenen tallied a sack, but Noah Kim had his own throw to put the Eagles near midfield, where confusion caused a Spartan timeout. The Spartans forced a fake field goal punt by the Eagles, taking over at the 20.

The Spartans started with a six yard gain before the quarter expired.

Second Quarter

The Spartans had an extended drive, with Charles Taplin II getting his first game action and having two catches for 28 yards to provide a spark. The Spartans pounded the ball into the end zone, with back-to-back Cam Edwards carries finishing the drive on a direct snap.

The Eagles struck back with a solid run game, driving within the MSU40 before taking a timeout.

Cam Stodghill had a first down pass breakup, but a Noah Kim scramble extended the drive. The Eagles had the ball on first-and-goal at the four-yard line at the two minute timeout. After an Anelu Lafaele pressure and throwaway, the Eagles got on the scoreboard with a read option touchdown on second-and-goal.

The Spartans were able to drive to the EMU42, but stalled out for a punt with 11 seconds left in the half. The Eagles had time for a 15-yard run but called it halftime, 14-7 for the Spartans.

Third Quarter

The Spartans got the ball and needed a fourth-and-inches Milivojevic sneak, but then had a 33-yard run with Cam Edwards. The Cam Fancher set came out, with a Jayden Savoury reception for seven yards and Kai Rios four yard catch giving the Spartans the ball in the redzone.

Cam Edwards punched the ball in on a direct snap from their super jumbo package, with linemen Antonio Johnson and Rustin Young in pass catching numbers.

The Eagles had a solid drive going, but Charles Brantley laid a hit on a first down reception on Harold Mack, rolling over to recover the fumble.

The Spartans responded with a deep shot to Charles Taplin, getting the Texas native his first career touchdown to make it 28-7.

The Eagles were able to drive to midfield, but were forced to punt after Eli Coenen and Anelu Lafaele met at quarterback Noah Kim for a sack on third down.

A four yard rush by Cam Edwards ended the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The Spartans started creating holes, with Cam Edwards gaining 15 yards on three carries. Jayden Savoury was open for 49 yards on the next play, but Edwards coughed the ball up at the EMU7.

Eli Coenen was determined to right the Spartan scoring, sacking Noah Kim on the EMU2 and forcing a pass well short of the sticks to force a punt.

Following a Cam Edwards run, Jaziun Patterson punched the ball in for his first score as a Spartan. After the extra point, MSU led 35-7.

The Spartans forced another punt, and the backups came in. Braylon Collier recorded his first career catch for a first down, and Samson Gash had his first career snaps. Gash was promptly whistled for a hold.

Zion Gist and Brandon Tullis proceeded to run out the clock for the Spartans while players such as Collin Campbell recorded their first collegiate snaps.

Final

Michigan State Football 35

Easter Michigan 7