Live Game Thread: Michigan State vs. Western Michigan
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EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Football is finally back in East Lansing, and everyone is starting again with a clean slate. Michigan State, 272 days removed from the final game of the 2024 season, will open up the 2025 campaign against the Western Michigan Broncos.
This game begins Jonathan Smith's second season at the helm of the Spartans after a 5-7 mark last year. Lance Taylor is starting his third season in charge of the Broncos with a 10-15 overall record.
These Friday night games in Week 1 have been a tradition for the Spartans for about a decade and a half now, and for good reason --- since 2011, Michigan State is 12-0 on season openers on Friday nights and are 10-0 at Spartan Stadium. Three of those wins have come against WMU (two in East Lansing, one in Kalamazoo).
Western Michigan has shown the capability to hang around with Power Four teams recently, though. The Broncos held a fourth-quarter lead at Wisconsin in Week 1 last year and also only trailed by one possession entering the fourth against MSU when they last met in 2022, a 35-13 Spartan victory.
There were also three Big Ten vs. MAC games on Thursday, and all three MAC teams put up decent fights. Defending conference champion Ohio only lost by three points at Rutgers and Buffalo was within three of Minnesota in the fourth quarter. The only real non-competitive game was Wisconsin-Miami (OH), which was a still-unimpressive 17-0 final score.
Overall, MSU is 15-2 against Western Michigan in the all-time series and has an active 13-game win streak. WMU hasn't taken down MSU since 1919, when the Spartans were actually known as the Aggies of Michigan Agricultural College.
Against teams that are currently members of the MAC, the Spartans are a combined 47-6 (.887) overall.
"Counting on a record-sized student section this coming Friday that adds to our energy and creating a home-field advantage," Smith said. "We're looking forward to that. I think of some cool, unique things with the tailgate at Munn Field that's going to take place on Friday. So, just a lot going on to add to the excitement with this particular game and this season. I know our guys are ready to go out there with all the work they've put in."
Live Game Updates
First Quarter
Western Michigan was able to move the ball a bit on the first drive and had a 35-yard gain on the first play, but the Broncos turned it over on downs at the MSU 26.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Brandon Tullis runs in a TD from 12 yards out to make it 7-0, Spartans.
END OF Q1: Michigan State 7, Western Michigan 0
Second Quarter
SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Aidan Chiles pass to Nick Marsh from 7 yards out extends the lead to 14-0, MSU.
THREE AND OUT: Michigan State's defense gets off the field again after just three plays.
THREE AND OUT: MSU's defense does it on back-to-back drives and just barely misses out on a safety.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Makhi Frazier runs it in from 9 yards out to make it 21-0, Spartans.
THREE AND OUT: Western Michigan fails to get a first down for a third consecutive drive.
THREE AND OUT: MSU fails to get any offense going for the first time tonight.
TURNOVER: WMU's Brady Jones' pass is intercepted by Wayne Matthews III at MSU's 28-yard line.
MISSED FG: Ryan Eckley's 46-yard FG attempt for MSU goes wide left.
HALF: Michigan State 21, Western Michigan 0
Third Quarter
THREE AND OUT: Nothing doing for Michigan State on the first drive of the second half.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: MSU's defense gets another stop after Western Michigan got into Spartan territory.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: Michigan State's defense tackles WMU RB Jalen Buckley in the endzone for a safety. 23-0, MSU.
THREE AND OUT: MSU's offense couldn't capitalize off the safety.
MISSED FG: Western Michigan's Hunter Smith's 46-yard attempt is no good.
END OF Q3: Michigan State 23, Western Michigan 0
Fourth Quarter
TURNOVER: Aidan Chiles fumbles and WMU's Rodney McGraw picks it up.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Alessio Milivojevic throws a pick-6 to WMU's Tate Hallock. Western Michigan went for two and was unsuccessful. MSU still leads, 23-6.
ONSIDE KICK: Western Michigan maintains possession of the ball.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: WMU's offense goes backwards after the pick-6 and onside kick.
FINAL: Michigan State 23, Western Michigan 6
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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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