Live Game Thread: Michigan State vs. Boston College
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EAST LANSING, Mich. --- Michigan State (1-0) is getting ready for a big, early test at home on Saturday, as Boston College (1-0) comes to town.
These two squads met last year in Massachusetts during the first years of the Jonathan Smith and Bill O'Brien eras. Boston College won that game in Alumni Stadium 23-19, thanks to four Spartan turnovers and a go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes of the game.
Now, Michigan State gets to host the rematch. These games have been a bit of a struggle, as MSU hasn't beaten a power conference team out-of-conference since 2021 and have lost three straight.
Last Year's Meeting
MSU was definitely in a position to go take the game between these two teams last year. The Spartans out-gained the Eagles 368-292 in a game that was played through a lot of rain, but a mixture of Michigan State either not scoring touchdowns in the red zone and the 4-1 turnover margin gave Boston College enough ground for it to take the game.
BC wide receiver Lewis Bond made the decisive play in the game, hauling in a 42-yard touchdown pass with 1:28 left. Boston College only gathered 140 yards through the air that night, and Bond had 102 of them. He's back this year for the Eagles, as well.
Aidan Chiles is one Michigan State player that will be looking for a better performance during the rematch. Last year in Chestnut Hill, Chiles through three interceptions to just one rushing touchdown.
All-Time Series
Boston College also has the upper-hand in the all-time series, leading 5-1-1 headed into Saturday. These two teams have only ever played in East Lansing twice, where each team has won one game apiece. This is the first time that the Eagles will play in Spartan Stadium since 1995.
Michigan State won that last meeting at home by a 25-21 score. BC won 34-20 during the other game in East Lansing, which was way back in 1946.
Availability Report
The most notable news from the availability report is that starting safety Nikai Martinez is still out, but kicker Martin Connington is now available. MSU is also getting tight end Brennan Parachek back.
Live Game Updates
First Half
Michigan State won the coin toss and elected to defer.
First Quarter
TURNOVER: Michigan State's defense appeared to have forced a three-and-out to start the game, but Omari Kelly fumbled on the punt return to give the Eagles the ball back.
TURNOVER: Boston College was driving with the ball after Kelly's turnover, but BC's Turbo Richard then lost the ball while trying to extend it out to the goal line, which MSU fell on top of.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Nick Marsh muscled his way in for the first score of the game from 11 yards out. 7-0, Spartans.
THREE AND OUT: Michigan State can't get anything going offensively on its second drive of the night.
END OF Q1: Michigan State 7, Boston College 0
Second Quarter
SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Boston College's Dylan Lonergan throws to Turbo Richard from eight yards out to tie the game at 7-7.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: MSU goes for it near midfield, but Brandon Tullis gets stuffed on fourth-and-1 on a direct snap.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Lonergan keeps dealing and finds Jaedn Skeete for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Boston College leads, 14-7.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: MSU takes advantage of a fantastic kickoff return from Alante Brown that put the ball at the BC 33-yard line to start the drive. Chiles got Michael Masunas his first career touchdown from three yards out to tie it at 14.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Boston College struck yet again, with Lonergan getting his third TD pass of the quarter. This one was to Reed Harris to give BC a 21-14 lead with 31 seconds to go in the first half.
HALF - Boston College 21, Michigan State 14
Second Half
Third Quarter
SCORING UPDATE NO. 6: Chiles hits the deep ball to Marsh from 41 yards out to tie it up at 21.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 7: Boston College kicker Luca Lombardo's 37-yard field goal is good to make it 24-21, Eagles.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 8: MSU's Martin Connington hits a 50-yard field goal on his first career kick to tie the game at 24.
THREE AND OUT: MSU's defense is able to get off the field quickly after having allowed points on the previous four drives.
END OF 3Q: Michigan State 24, Boston College 24
Fourth Quarter
Both teams traded punts on their first drives of the final frame.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 9: Martin Connington makes the 39-yard field goal to make it 27-24, MSU with 4:08 to go.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 10: Lombardo's 38-yard field goal is good to tie the game at 27 with 1:16 to go.
END OF REGULATION: Michigan State 27, Boston College 27
Overtime
SCORING UPDATE NO. 11: Chiles goes the the fullback Jay Coyne on the opening drive of overtime for a 5-yard touchdown. That makes it 34-27, Spartans with BC set to get the ball in their half of OT.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 12: Lonergan finds Jeremiah Franklin for a six-yard touchdown. The tie at 34 sends it to double overtime.
2OT
SCORING UPDATE NO. 13: Turbo Richard finds the endzone for BC. The Eagles' two-point conversion attempt was no good, making the score 40-34, Boston College.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 14: Aidan Chiles runs it in from three yards out. Michigan State's two-point attempt is good, as Chiles finds Kelly in the endzone.
FINAL (2OT): Michigan State 42, Boston College 40
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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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