1. That was an intriguing start from MSU’s offensive line and running backs
EAST LANSING — That was mostly an encouraging opener from Michigan State’s football team — a 23-6 win over Western Michigan on Friday night, during which the Spartans controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, showed off a few new weapons and had some good moments from notable returning ones.
There are some areas in the passing game that need to be cleaned up (we’ll get to that) and MSU lost some steam offensively in the second half (and that late pick-six from backup QB Alessio Milivijovic was a vibe-changer for some). But when you run the ball out of the gate like the Spartans did and your defense pitches a shutout — and those two areas have been crippling in recent years — that’s a big part of the story.
It’ll be another week before we know whether this Michigan State offensive line is as improved run blocking as it looked Friday night. But, man, that was an intriguing start.
It’s been a minute since we’ve seen the Spartans create push and holes and creases like they did in the first half Friday (producing 130 yards on the ground by halftime). The right side of the line was especially good and it wasn’t always the same guys.
Western Carolina transfer Caleb Carter and Montana State transfer Connor Moore started at right guard and right tackle respectively, next to Wake Forest transfer Matt Gulbin at center, with returners Gavin Broscious and Stanton Ramil at left guard and left tackle. Later, returners Kristian Phillips (guard) and Ashton Lepo (tackle) were just as productive on the right side, while Carter and Moore flipped to the left side. That rotation seemed to work.
It’s hard to know how impressive it was, how good Western Michigan’s defensive front is. But over the last decade, there have been plenty of openers against mid-major foes when MSU couldn’t get a consistent push.
Credit also has to go a pair of previously unproven sophomore running backs — Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis — who eased concerns about that position. Frazier carried 14 times for 103 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown, and was terrific at finding creases and attacking. He’s got an initial burst to him that should play well in the Big Ten, especially if he reads blocks as well as he did Friday. Tullis — who had 52 yards on seven rushes, including the game’s first score from 12 yards out — looks like he’s got solid speed with his bulk.
Again, Frazier and Tullis (and at some point freshman Jace Clarizio, and perhaps still transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver) will have to show they can create when there’s less room to operate. But everything we saw from those two and the fellas in front of them Friday only sparked hope this crew might be one that can get the job done on the ground.
2. Aidan Chiles and MSU’s passing game had their moments, but noticeably nothing deep
Aidan Chiles played Friday like he’s learning how to avoid making critical mistakes. He didn’t throw an interception (his turnover came on a sack-fumble when Tullis didn’t pick up a blitz), he completed nearly 75% of his passes, including early rhythm throws, he used his legs for a 26-yard run down to the 8-yard line. He was pretty good in certain ways.
He didn’t, however, complete a downfield pass — nothing longer than 14 yards to transfer Omari Kelly — until a 21-yard connection with Kelly on a third-and-long in the fourth quarter. Kelly, by the way, is all he’s been touted to be. Chiles then kept the drive moving by hitting another transfer, Chrishon McCray, for a 20-yard completion.
To be fair to Chiles, MSU didn’t unleash Nick Marsh deep on Friday. I’m not sure they wanted to put everything with Marsh on film heading into next week’s date with Boston College. And, other than Marsh, Chiles is working with a lot of new targets. Nothing from Chiles on Friday was overly concerning. But there was a noticeable absence of the deep ball and deep-ball accuracy, elements this offense needs to have.
3. That’ll do from MSU’s defense
Zero points, four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, an interception, a safety and nearly another safety, while allowing 29 yards rushing — this was a fairly dominating performance from an MSU defense that needed a dominating performance Friday. Not because it means that’ll continue against Boston College and into the Big Ten, but because this defense needed a night when it could leave the field with some swagger, with hope intact that it might be OK.
That much was achieved. Junior linebacker Jordan Hall was tremendous in the middle (eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack). Senior linebacker Wayne Matthews was in on a number of plays (including an interception). Safety Malik Spencer showed up regularly. Same for defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren. Same for defensive back Ade Willie. Jalen Thompson made a couple plays in the backfield and got his hand on the ball that Matthews picked off.
MSU got beat on a couple deep balls. But mostly, this was a really sound and promising showing from a group that needed it.
Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.
