Live Game Thread: Michigan State vs. Youngstown State
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EAST LANSING --- Michigan State (2-0) is readying for a Week 3 clash against FCS Youngstown State (2-0).
The Spartans are coming off of an emotional 42-40 win over Boston College last week and have a big test at USC next week, but MSU can't get caught looking ahead to the Trojans; YSU is ranked No. 25 in this week's FCS Coaches Poll.
Below is a quick preview of Saturday's game and more updates from once the game starts will be even further down.
Quick Look at Youngstown State
Youngstown State enters Saturday with a lot of confidence. The Penguins are certainly an above-average FCS program, sporting four national championships from the 1990s and 20 wins against FBS teams, according to their game notes. YSU's last win against an FBS program in 2012 against Pitt; the Penguins have lost their last 10 games against the top half of Division I football since.
Last week, YSU crushed Robert Morris, 56-17. The score was also 56-3 after 45 minutes, so the game was even more lopsided than what the final numbers indicate.
The player from Youngstown State that Michigan State fans need to know the most is quarterback Beau Brungard. Despite being a QB, Brungard enters Week 2 with the most rushing yards in the entire FCS (409). He's also all alone for rushing touchdowns with six.
When YSU goes through the air, its top receiver is Max Tomczak. He has seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown through two games. Youngstown State's second-leading receiver, Mike Solomon, only has 53 yards.
If the Penguins hand the ball to a running back, the most likely person to get it is Jaden Gilbert. The redshirt sophomore has gotten 14 carries for 82 yards (5.9 YPC) and one score.
All-Time Series
Saturday's game will be the fourth all-time meeting between Michigan State and Youngstown State. MSU has won all three games by at least three scores. All three Spartan teams that had YSU on the schedule also went on to win at least 11 games that season.
Sept. 11, 2021: Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14
Sept. 14, 2013: Michigan State 55, Youngstown State 17
Sept. 2, 2011: Michigan State 28, Youngstown State 6
Live Game Updates
First Half
COIN TOSS: Michigan State won the toss and deferred to the second half.
First Quarter
SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Youngstown State kicker Andrew Lastovka makes a 28-yard field goal to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Wide receiver Rodney Bullard Jr. got an end-around and ran it in from eight yards out. Connington's PAT was good to make it 7-3, Spartans.
END OF Q1: Michigan State 7, Youngstown State 3
Second Quarter
YSU THREE AND OUT: MSU's defense gets a stop on third-and-2 on the first play of the second quarter that forces the Penguins to punt it away to the Spartan 13-yard line.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Makhi Frazier runs in a touchdown from two yards out. Connington's PAT is true, making it 14-3, Michigan State.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: YSU's Jaden Gilbert punches it in from the 1-yard line shortly after he ran one 66 yards on the drive's second play. The PAT made it 14-10, with MSU still in front.
MSU TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Michigan State goes for it on fourth-and-3 on the YSU 41, but Chiles' throw is incomplete.
YSU TURNOVER: Beau Brungard's pass is intercepted by Armorion Smith on the MSU 24-yard line.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Martin Connington's 24-yard field goal is good as time on the first half expires.
HALF: Michigan State 17, Youngstown State 10
Second Half
Third Quarter
MSU THREE AND OUT: The Spartans give three touches to Makhi Frazier to start the second half, but they went six yards backwards and had to punt.
YSU THREE AND OUT: MSU's defense steps up and forces the Penguins to boot it away on their first drive of the second half, as well.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 6: Brandon Tullis runs it in from the 4-yard line right after Omari Kelly had an electric 83-yard punt return. Connington's PAT made it 24-10, Spartans.
YSU THREE AND OUT: The Penguins fail to get a first down for the second drive in a row to start the third quarter.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 7: Aidan Chiles finds Michael Masunas wide open downfield for a 28-yard touchdown pass. That score plus the extra point make it 31-10, MSU.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 8: The Penguins go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3 and get it; Beau Brungard throws to RK Dandridge. That made it 31-17, Spartans.
MSU TURNOVER: Aidan Chiles' pass is tipped an intercepted by YSU's Cameron Cunningham.
END OF Q3: Michigan State 31, Youngstown State 17
Fourth Quarter
MISSED FG: YSU's Andrew Lastovka misses a 37-yard field goal wide right.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 9: Martin Connington makes a 27-yard field goal to make it 34-17, MSU.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 10: The Penguins score again on a 19-yard pass from Brungard to Ky Wilson. MSU leads, 34-24.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 11: Elijah Tau-Tolliver breaks free for a 22-yard touchdown run. That makes it 41-24, Michigan State.
FINAL: Michigan State 41, Youngstown State 24
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A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
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