Photos by: Aaron Thornton
After a dismal 5-7 season last year, the Michigan State Spartans start the 2025 season on a positive note, defeating the Western Michigan Broncos 23-6 in East Lansing.
The Spartans scored on their first series to take an early 7-0 lead, driving 76 yards in all with much of that (45 yards) by Sophomore Running Back Makhi Frazier. The drive was finished by Frazier’s backup Brandon Tullis, who ran the ball in for a 12-yard touchdown.
The second quarter was all MSU, as they dominated on both offense and defense through the second 15 minutes of play. Michigan State put another seven points on the board early in the second when Quarterback Aidan Chiles found Receiver Nick Marsh on a seven yard touchdown catch making the score 14-0. The Broncos’ next two series were fairly quick, as they failed to pick up a first down in either possession before giving up another touchdown to the Spartans, this time on a nine yard run by Frazier increasing the lead to 21 points. In fact, Western Michigan had trouble moving the ball at all during the entire second quarter as none of their four series led to first down yardage.
The defense of the Spartans continued to be strong in the third quarter, even scoring some points in the game as they forced a safety midway through the quarter. Western would finally put together a few good plays to move the ball down to the Michigan State 28 yard line and have a chance to get on the scoreboard. However the 46 yard field goal attempt would be off the mark and the score would stay 23-0.
It wasn’t until just about three minutes left in the game that the Broncos would foil the Spartans’ hope for a shutout, scoring on a pick six interception. After the score, Western would try for a 2-point conversion and fail, keeping the score at 23-6. On the ensuing kickoff, the Broncos successfully recovered their onside kick and started the offense again, this time at their own 48 yards line. However, they would have trouble moving the ball against the stifling MSU defense and turn the ball over on downs back to the Spartans. With just under two minutes left in the game, the Spartans would take three knees to run the clock out and win 23-6.
For the offense, Michigan State had a very balanced run / pass attack. Chiles showed control and the ability to make good decisions with the ball. He finished the game completing 17 passes on 23 attempts for 155 yards, one touchdown pass, and zero interceptions. The run game, led by Frazier and Tullis combined for 181 rushing yards. Frazier finished with 103 yards and Tullis with 52.
Linebacker Jordan Hall led the defense and all Spartan tacklers with seven in the game including a sack. MSU’s defense controlled the line, limiting Western to a scant 29 yards of rushing on the day.
Up next for Michigan State (1-0) will be another home night game at Spartan Stadium as the team takes on Boston College (1-0) next Saturday. Western Michigan (0-1) will return home and face North Texas (1-0).
Final Score: 23-6
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