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Michigan State excited after best offensive showing in five years
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Taking just a minute-and-a-half to get on the scoreboard on Saturday night, the Michigan State Spartans ran past the Western Michigan Broncos, 51-17.
Senior quarterback Brian Lewerke connected on 23-32 passes for 314 yards and three scores. While three different Spartans were the beneficiaries of Lewerke’s touchdown passes, senior Darrell Stewart led the way with 10 receptions for 185 yards and a 42-yard touchdown.
“It’s great to see points go up there,” senior linebacker Joe Bachie cracked.
Averaging just 18.7 points per game a year ago, Michigan State ranked 126th in America. Their 51 points in this one were their most since hanging 55 on the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2015. Recording 582 total yards – 331 passing, 251 rushing – the Spartans posted their highest yardage total in a single game since 2014 at Indiana.
“It’s a process week-to-week,” offensive coordinator and running backs coach Brad Salem said.
“You want marked improvement each week…Just excited with how we performed.”
“This is what’s expected of us,” junior offensive tackle Jordan Reid added.
“We have to stay on the gas pedal and keep improving each week and getting up good numbers.”
Looking to avenge last year’s loss, Michigan State hosts Arizona State in the back-end of a home-and-home and September 14. The Sun Devils won the 2018 meeting in Tempe, 16-13.
Totaling just 63 rushing yards on 2.3 YPC vs. the Sun Devils a year ago, Michigan State would benefit from a continued breakout from freshman Elijah Collins.
A three-star according to the 247Sports Composite in the 2018 class, Collins led the charge with 192 yards on the ground in the win over Western Michigan. Ripping off a 58-yard run, the Detroit product averaged 11.2 YPC.
Michigan State-Arizona State from Spartan Stadium will kick at 4:00PM ET on Saturday and will be broadcast on FOX.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.