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EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Michigan State played well for about 30 minutes, which was more than enough.
The final score was however closer than it could have been.
"It's just disappointing for me. This is something we are very conscious of, "said quarterback Brian Lewerke. "Offensively, we just stopped a bit, a little bit of the third and fourth quarters. I should probably have accumulated more points. "
Lewerke had two touchdowns in the first half, and the Spartans, 21st in the world, overcame a slow start and a mediocre end to beat Central Michigan 31-20 on Saturday. Michigan State led 31-3 before allowing the WUC to recover a little in the fourth quarter.
Connor Heyward and La'Darius Jefferson also ran for touchdowns for the Spartans. Michigan State came in with the defense of the race in first place in the country and maintained the CMU at 5 rushing yards in the first half.
"We are struggling to move the ball forward, so I think everything was pretty lopsided in this regard," said Spartans coach Mark Dantonio. "Then the fourth quarter has arrived. That interested us a little.
The CMU (1-4) scored a first goal on the first possession of the game and kept that lead at the end of the first quarter. Lewerke started an interception in the end zone in the first, but the Spartans (3-1) would have plenty of chances in the red zone.
Lewerke scored on 3 and 5 yard runs and Michigan State led 17-3 at halftime. Tommy Lazzaro, of the CMU, intercepted two interceptions in the first half, giving the Spartans an excellent position in the field.
Heyward and Jefferson scored their TD in the third period, but the Spartans did not close the match with much vigor. The CMU scored a touchdown, recovered a kickdown, and then a punt to score 31-13. Then, the Chippewas scored on a lap, the offensive midfielder Jonathan Ward threw a 29-yard pass to Tony Poljan with 6:44 to go.
The Spartans were able to race after that.
"I thought we had dug a hole early in the first half," said CMU coach John Bonamego. "We did not come here to play a game. We came to win a game and we did not do it. However, I am very proud of the fight in our football team and the way they played and played in the second half of the game. "
THE TAKEAWAY
CMU: The Chippewas kept this game close for most of the first half, but Lazzaro's turnarounds made it even harder. The late return made the final note respectable.
Michigan State: Mistakes such as Lewerke's interception could cause bigger problems with increased competition. Nevertheless, it was a dominant defensive performance by the Spartans until the last quarter, and if this avarice persists, the State of Michigan can certainly play a role in the Big Ten.
DIFFICULTY BEFORE
Michigan State allowed 32.7 rushing yards per game. This average went up after the Chippewas finished with 63, but the performance of the Spartans defensive front remains good, especially in the first period.
The series of five consecutive Michigan State games, allocating less than 50 rushing yards, came to an end.
DIFFICULT TEST
Lazzaro made his first career start last weekend against Maine. This opponent was clearly an advance in class.
"We knew that they were going to be good against the race and they were really good against the race. We knew we had to go out and throw it away, "said Lazzaro. "The first training went well. After that, I started to get a little upset and I needed to install it. So those two first choices were really about me. "
Lazzaro finished with 19 out of 34 points for 153 yards and one touchdown.
INJURY CONCERN
Michigan State lost receiver Cody White during a game. The Spartans also did not miss running back LJ Scott for a second game in a row and receiver Jalen Nailor did not play either.
With regard to Nailor, Dantonio only stated that it was not a problem of discipline.
IMPLICATIONS OF POLL
The Spartans never had the impression of losing, but they did not accumulate a lot of style points against an opponent they had to beat easily.
FOLLOWING
CMU: The Chippewas welcome Buffalo next Saturday.
Michigan State: The Spartans resume their Big Ten program with a home game against Northwestern next Saturday.
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