FINAL: Michigan State rolls Eastern Michigan in 2nd half, wins 35-7
The Eagles will kickoff against the Spartans at 3:30 p.m. in a B1G-MAC showdown in East Lansing.
East Lansing — Week 2 has arrived for Michigan State (1-0) and Eastern Michigan (1-1, 1-0 MAC), with the Eagles arriving to face the Spartans on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium.
The game, airing on Big Ten Network, features the return of Noah Kim, Eastern Michigan’s quarterback who played his first three years at Michigan State. He’s expected to lead an Eagles offense that will be unafraid to throw the ball around and make some plays.
For the Spartans, it’s game two of the Pat Fitzgerald era and MSU is hoping to make quicker work of a MAC foe after a close outing against Toledo in Week 1. Either way, EMU head coach Chris Creighton feels like the Spartans want to come out and impose their will.
It’s a big test for EMU’s remade defense and for MSU to see how much Cam Edwards can do at running back.
Mitten Football will have live updates here all afternoon and reported coverage to follow.
Let’s dig in.
FINAL: Michigan State 35, Eastern Michigan 7
Michigan State (2-0) came out of half time, shifted into a gear Eastern Michigan (1-2, 1-0 MAC) didn't have, and raced out to a comfortable TK-point win at Spartan Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
MSU led just 14-7 at half, with Alessio Milivojevic completing an early touchdown pass to Fred Moore and the Spartans also getting a Cam Edwards rushing TD to stay just ahead of EMU. The Eagles put together a long, 13-play, 78-yard touchdown drive shortly before halftime, capped off by Noah Kim keeping a zone read look for a touchdown run.
But that one-touchdown margin exploded in the second half, with MSU marching down to score on the first drive of the third quarter, as Edwards got his second touchdown. Then EMU lost a fumble on its first drive of the third quarter just across midfield, MSU scored in three plays, capped by a 38-yard connection from Milivojevic to a wide-open Charles Taplin for the wideouts first career score.
Three drives, and the margin doubled from 14-7 to 28-7, and EMU was out of it.
The Spartans added a fifth score halfway through the fourth quarter for good measure, as Eastern Michigan managed to move the ball and get some stops, even making it close on the scoreboard for a bit.
But whatever EMU managed to do against a Big Ten outfit on Saturday afternoon, MSU did all that and more in cruising to an eventual win.
Touchdown, MSU — Jaziun Patterson drives the dagger
MSU goes 53 yards in three plays, with 40 of those yards via a Cam Edwards strong side toss. Then Patterson shot through a crease to score on 2nd and 4 from the EMU seven.
It's 35-7, and EMU has been a non-factor in the second half after outgaining the Spartans in the first two quarters. EMU's defense, in particularly, has struggled in the second half.
In four second half drives, MSU has three touchdowns and a lost fumble — which came in the red zone. It's quite possible this game could be 42-7 right now, instead.
7:48 remaining and a long hour on the bus home for Eastern Michigan.
EMU goes 3-and-out
Not the series the Eagles needed, as Joe Rossi's defense has really buttoned down in the second half since forcing that fumble on the first drive.
EMU might've stacked up some decent yardage, but has been held to just the lone score.
Not so fast, though, as EMU forces a takeaway
On a goal-to-go play, MSU handed it off to Cam Edwards who went to his left, got held up, and had the ball stripped out. EMU recovered, with a bunch of Eagles pouncing on it — safety Jason Marshall ultimately came up with the football.
Payton Christian forced the fumble.
With fewer than 12 minutes to play, it's the sort of last-gasp swing play EMU needed to have a shot to make a miraculous comeback, one that will now require the offense to find the end zone for the first time since late in the second quarter.
On 3rd and 6, EMU gives up apparent back breaker
MSU had 3rd and 6 just shy of midfield, leading by 21, and Jayden Savoury got loose on a crossing route with no one near him on the right side of the field.
He'd rumble down inside the EMU 10 for MSU after collecting the easy pitch and catch from Alessio Milivojevic, setting up MSU for a 1st and goal opportunity early in the fourth quarter.
End 3: Michigan State 28, Eastern Michigan 7
That quarter went impossibly poorly for EMU, giving up a touchdown on the first drive as MSU started with the ball, turning it over on its series, then giving up a three-play touchdown drive to follow.
That three-drive sequence turned a 14-7 MSU lead at half into a 28-7 margin.
Then EMU's drive from down three scores ended with a sack on 3rd and long and punt for a touchback. The Eagles have moved the ball very well in this game, with 208 yards to MSU's 280, but has consistently been stopped short of points either by the MSU defense or its own shortcomings.
EMU gets across midfield, but will punt
Needing a response in the form of points, EMU will punt after 3rd and long resulted in Anelu Lafaele, Kenny Soares Jr. and Eli Coenen meeting at the quarterback for a sack.
Hull's punt bounces into the end zone for a touchback for an MSU team that is now very in control of this game.
EMU probably needs a takeaway or big special teams play to swing this game back into being competitive.
:24 left in the third.
Touchdown, MSU — Milivojevic goes long to Taplin
Whatever caused Milivojevic to leave the game last drive isn't bother him as Taplin gets behind the defense and Milivojevic hits him from 38 yards out to give MSU a 28-lead with Liam Boyd's PAT.
Eastern Michigan's defense has melted away here early in the second half, and put the offense in a big, big hole to climb out of. And MSU will likely lean on the ground game to try and bleed out the remainder of this game.
28-7, MSU, with 5:46 to play in the third quarter.
First takeaway goes to Michigan State
Noah Kim connects with Harold Mack on a deep dig to convert a 3rd and 10 when the sophomore receiver, as he was getting pulled down at the waist, got absolutely plugged by MSU corner Charles Brantley, forcing the fumble.
Brantley recovered, and MSU takes over at its own 40, instead of a 1st and 10 for EMU. Mack stayed down for a beat after the play before jogging off.
That's a big swing in Michigan State's favor; it's also the sort of play EMU probably needed in reverse to make this a game.
Touchdown, MSU — Francher remains in for Milivojevic at QB
Alessio Milivojevic appeared to get hurt on the QB sneak for MSU, and went to the injury tent to get attended. It appeared the quarterback was getting his upper body or shoulders looked at after the play.
In his stead, UCF transfer and backup QB Cam Francher led the rest of the touchdown drive to open the third quarter, capped off by Cam Edwards' second rushing touchdown of the afternoon.
EMU had some chances to get off the field on that defensive series, but MSU kept finding ways to keep the drive alive.
21-7, Michigan State, 8:50 left in the third quarter.
MSU goes for 4th and 1 in own territory, get 1st without measurement
EMU thought it had stuffed MSU quarterback Milivojevic on a sneak on the first series out of the half, but the refs gave him the line to gain.
The next play, Cam Edwards gets free out around the right end and goes for a big gain into EMU territory. Cam Francher in for MSU at quarterback.
Eastern Michigan outgaining Michigan State at halftime
The Eagles have 162 yards to the Spartans' 143, all done on three fewer plays. Neither team has turned it over and both opened with three-and-outs before the offenses started to click into place.
Very equal matchup after 30 in East Lansing pic.twitter.com/5K5Yppa0n0
— Andrew E. Graham 🫡 (@AndrewEdGraham) September 12, 2026
Alessio Milivojevic has been the ace for MSU, going 9-of-17 for 83 yards and a touchdown, including a clutch 19-yard connection to Charles Taplin to convert a 4th and 11 on MSU's second touchdown drive. Cam Edwards, who has 38 yards on nine carries, cashed in that first touchdown drive.
MSU in general isn't running the ball too well vs. EMU's defense, with 17 carries for 60 net yards.
Eastern Michigan managed its lone touchdown drive largely on the ground, with nine runs accounting for 67 yards on the 13-play, 78-yard scoring march that bled nearly seven minutes of the second quarter.
Noah Kim, the former Spartan starting at QB for EMU, cashed that drive off with a four-yard keeper for a TD. He also scrambled for a conversion on third down earlier in the drive.
Running backs Braydon Bennett (six carries, 47 yards) and Amareon Blue (six carries, 40 yards) have looked good for the Eagles.
All told, EMU out-gained MSU, has the same number of first downs (nine each) and is out-possessing MSU by 18:15 to 11:45 in the first half.
The difference, though, has been MSU converting an aggressive 4th and 11 call and EMU having one or two promising drives fizzle out. But this is very much a game going into the second half.
HALF: Michigan State 14, Eastern Michigan 7
Michigan State did well with its final drive to get across the 50, with 1st and 10 at the EMU 37 with around 30 seconds until halftime.
Then a 1st and 10 pass attempt went incomplete and Milivojevic got enveloped and sacked by Ronn Hardin to bring about 3rd and 14. Pat Fitzgerald took a timeout with :26 to play, his second of the half.
The sack pushed MSU back out of even the longest, most optimistic range for kicker Liam Boyd, as a kick from the EMU 42 would be for nearly 60 yards. Milivojevic targeted Bryson Williams and his pass caromed off his hands incomplete near the sideline a few yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
Fitzgerald opted to send out punter Rhys Dakin with :19 left in the first half. His kick went for a touchback, and EMU took over at the 20.
With :11 second left and no timeouts, EMU handed it off once and went to the half. It was a nice carry, with Amareon Blue taking it 20 yards through the middle.
Touchdown, EMU — Eagles strike back on Noah Kim keeper
Kim pulled a read option and raced through a wide open channel of the defense for a four yard touchdown run. The former Spartan was untouched and caps off a 78-yard touchdown drive with a run, fitting for an EMU drive that covered 67 of those yards on nine carries.
Eastern Michigan also bled off nearly seven minutes of game clock on that drive, and now trail 14-7 with 1:50 until halftime.
A stop would be big for the Eagles here, as MSU gets the ball to start the second half. For MSU, responding to the EMU drive with a game script double dip now and out of half could be the difference between battling in the second half and a blowout.
2 minute warning: EMU has 1st and goal at MSU 4
The Eagles have mashed on the ground this drive to get this far, and now have a chance to make this a game as the two minute warning hits.
EMU has completed just two passes this drive, for a combined 11 yards. The other 63 have come across eight carries, as the Eagles are averaging more than seven yards a run on this drive.
Braydon Bennett pulverizes Isaac Smith for 3rd down conversion
Facing 3rd and 1, EMU opted to give RB Braydon Bennett the ball and the big tailback paid off the decision by getting downhill and running right over MSU DE Isaac Smith for a first down.
EMU really needs to take some points before half here with MSU beginning the third quarter with the football.
Rush offense showing up for EMU
A trio of runs and one pass behind the line of scrimmage has Eastern Michigan comfortably and quickly into MSU territory, with Chris Creighton using his second timeout of the half with 6:15 until the break and EMU facing 2nd and 2 at the MSU 37(ish) yard line.
The plays for EMU this series:
- Amareon Blue 13 yard rush
- Josh Long 4 yard catch
- Braydon Bennett 16 yard run
- Bennett 8 yard run
Bennett has a real runaway freight train quality to him when he gets rumbling in the open field.
MSU #EstablishesIt, takes 14-0 lead in 2nd quarter
The Spartans have started to lean a bit more on Cam Edwards — and got a few key throws out of Alessio Milivojevic — to cash in a second touchdown.
Once MSU got a goal-to-go situation, Edwards got the 1st down carry and took it down to the one, then took a direct snap on 2nd and goal and bullied his way in for a score.
MSU leads, 14-0, with 8:45 until halftime. EMU will need to respond with a score.
MSU pays off 4th down gamble
Back-to-back passes from Milivojevic that EMU could've intercepted both fell incomplete, the first tipped off Cam Edwards' hands and the second was into a closing window that Bryce Llewellyn broke up.
That brought up 3rd and 10 at the EMU 34, as Bryce Eliuk perfectly followed his assignment and tackled Marvis Parrish for a loss of a yard. MSU kept the offense on the field for 4th and 11, the EMU defense lost Charles Taplin, and Milivojevic connected with him to the EMU 16, a gain of 19 yards.
MSU took a false start before the ensuing 1st down, but is now in the red area.
End 1: Michigan State 7, Eastern Michigan 0
The Eagles have made a defensive stop (a three-and-out), given up a touchdown, had a three-and-out on offense and then drove into MSU territory. Both teams have also punted.
And it's Michigan State leading 7-0 after getting a short field off a long punt return, setting up inside the EMU 30 for a quick score midway through the first quarter.
MSU will have a 2nd and 5 at the Spartan 42 out of the TV break between quarters.
MSU takes over at own 20, Milivojevic misses wide open touchdown
EMU busted a coverage and Fred Moore didn't have a defender within 15 yards of him as he go behind the defense, but the MSU QB missed him, and connected with Rod Bullard for a first down.
Harold Mack makes move on 3rd down, sets up 4th and 2
EMU keeps the offense on the field after Harold Mack caught an out route to the left, juked two defenders and got eight yards, setting up 4th and 2.
EMU comes out with heavier personnel and tries to run it to Braydon Bennett, but takes a delay of game prior to snapping it.
That puts the ball to the MSU 38 and makes it 4th and 7, and Chris Creighton sends out the punt unit, which goes for a touchback.
It was actually Rudy Kessinger deeper in the field goal formation, but it turned into a pooch punt that dribbled into the end zone.
7-0, MSU, still.
EMU takes timeout while driving into MSU territory
The Eagles will face 2nd and 11 from the MSU 42 out of this timeout, the first of the half. A third down swing screen to Braydon Bennett helped get EMU across the 50, then the OL managed to surge for a yard on a 2nd and short the previous series to convert.
A quick loss on a screen to Nick Devereaux that MSU had sniffed out brings up this 2nd and 11 play. MSU leads, 7-0, with 2:48 left in the first quarter.
Touchdown, MSU — Spartans lead 7-0
Alessio Milivojevic rifled a seed to Fredrick Moore, the Michigan transfer. He had a very tight window up the seam to fit it in on 3rd and short, and delivered a rocket shot right to his man.
PAT is good and MSU takes a 7-0 lead with 6:32 to go, cashing in on the short field situation.
Sack leads to EMU punt, good field position for MSU
Amareon Blue had a nice carry to get back the sack yardage and then some, but it turned 3rd and 17 into 4th and 8 and EMU is set to punt from its own 11 after a false start
Hull hits a low spinner that Chrishon McCray returns well into EMU territory down the sideline. It'll be MSU's ball at the EMU 24, negating most of the 44 yard punt by Hull.
31 yards on the return.
Kim's legs lead to opening 1st down for either team
On 3rd and 10 from his own three, Kim dropped back, didn't see much, then took off and slithered through the defense to dive forward past the line to gain, a carry of 11 yards.
He comes up with a big miss on a potential shot play on 1st and 10 but his receiver never had a chance, nor the defender.
EMU defense comes to play, forces early 3-and-out
After jamming up Cam Edwards for a short carry on 1st and 10, the EMU defense sacked Alessio Milivojevic for a short loss on 2nd down then flushed him from the pocket and brought him down after a one yard gain to force a punt.
But it's a great one by MSU's Rhys Dakin, and it bounces down inside the five where an MSU gunner punches it out of bounds.
It'll be EMU ball at the -3, with 10:28 left in the first quarter.
3 plays, 1 review, then a punt
EMU quickly got to a third and short look and originally got the line to gain with an Amareon Blue carry. But the ruling on the field got looked at and the ball got spotted back setting up 4th and 1, and EMU opts to punt.
Daniel Hull catches it awkwardly off the side of his foot and it'll be Michigan State's ball at the -42 after the 24 yard punt.
MSU wins toss, defers
Noah Kim gets a healthy round of boos as he's shown on the big screen at midfield, with the former Spartan coming back to play where he began his college career. Feels perfunctory, though, for a quarterback who left mostly because he wasn't going to play much going forward.
MSU wins the toss and defers to the second half, so it'll be the Eagles receiving and Kim marshaling the troops as EMU opens on offense.
EMU starting OL looks like...
From left to right, EMU looks like its going with LT Tyler Brumfield, LG Guzzy Kayed, C Nic Gallegos, RG Dennis Strey and RT Samuel Adjin.
That's true freshman Samuel Adjin, to be clear, who appears in line to start on the road vs. a Big Ten foe.
Adjin got some run off the bench in the opener, and head coach Chris Creighton spoke optimistically about the value of early reps for the young Canadian lineman. And with the new 5-in-5 rule set, there's no redshirting to worry about.
Now to see if Adjin can hold his own vs. a Big Ten defensive front.
Full EMU inactives
The following Eagles did not warm up and are not dressed out in full pads and uniform:
- DB Dior Boyd
- RB Malachi James
- RB Nazir Jones-Davis
- DB Antonio Solares-Vitti
- LB Kijon Braxton
- DB Jabari Monds
- TE Payton Kokaly
- LB Noah Knigga
- TE Brady Shelton
- DL Kevin Wojciechowski
- DL RJ Alphonse
- OL Chad Troxler
- OL Adham Abouraya
- OL Joshua Anderson
- OL Cole Dellinger
- OL Elijha Payne
- OL Jackson Higgins
- WR Shawn Fishwick
- WR Bacori Minner
- WR Kozy Isaac
- DE Owen Edlen
- DL Brandon Simmons Jr.
- DL Milan Colvin
- DL Antoniyo Smith Jr.
- DL Jahbarri Frost
Two early inactives of note
Senior linebacker Jordan Hall is out for Michigan State. That’s a notable absence in the middle of the defense, which will mean more time for the likes of Caleb Wheatland to be out there with the defense.
Jordan Hall with the inactives as he walks onto the field. He is not warming up. pic.twitter.com/TpWS3Zh9IN
— Connor Earegood (@ConnorEaregood) September 12, 2026
Cole Dellinger, who started the first two games of the season for EMU at OG, is in a walking boot and no warming up for the Eagles today.
Dellinger began his career at MSU before transferring to EMU this offseason.
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