Michigan State 23, Western Michigan 6: Instant takeaways

East Lansing — Michigan State rolled through Western Michigan, winning a season opener, 23-6, on Friday night in Spartan Stadium. 

It was a comprehensive victory for the Spartans, as the offense, defense and special teams each took turns pulling away from the Broncos. The run game thrived as a new-look offensive line room rotated in different combinations. The defense appeared deep and talented, and the special teams managed without some key pieces. For whatever blemishes there are to address, the whole picture was a pleasant one for Michigan State. 

The same could not be said for Western Michigan. 

While the Broncos had flashes of moving the ball and an occasional splash play defensively, it became clear by halftime that the Broncos couldn’t hang. It’s also unclear if the Broncos got clarity at quarterback, as both Brady Jones, who started, and Broc Lowry had more struggles than bright moments. 

The Broncos did manage to shutout the Spartans offense in the second half, but that’s cold comfort as the Western Michigan offense sputtered for most of the game. 

Here are five takeaways from the game. 

Michigan State OL improvements pay dividends

Michigan State’s offense line struggled in 2024, and there were no secrets throughout the offseason and fall camp that the unit needed to be better in 2025. 

The Spartans offensive linemen spoke openly about the need for them to be better, and the coaching staff didn’t sit on its hands, either, adding four transfers to the room after the 2024 campaign. 

And three of them played heavily in the first half of the season opener as the Spartans rotated through a number of offensive line combinations. Montana State transfer Conner Moore played at both tackle spots, and former Western Carolina guard Caleb Carter did similarly at the guard spots. And at center, Wake Forest transfer Matt Gulbin played every series. Moore, Carter and Gulbin all played on the starting unit, with Carter and Moore playing on the right side. 

Complementing them was left tackle Stanton Ramil and left guard Gavin Broscious, both returning. On the second offensive series, Michigan State flipped Moore and Carter to the left side, and put Kristian Phillips and Ashton Lepo on the right side at guard and tackle. Ultimately, Broscious played only on the left and Phillips only played on the right, similarly to Ramil and Lepo, who each played exclusively on the left and right side, respectively. 

And while the results against a MAC defensive front in Week 1 should be taken with a healthy pinch of salt, the results looked good on Friday night. 

After posting 130 first half rushing yards, Michigan State finished the evening with more than 150 yards on the ground. Running back Makhi Frazier led the way with 103 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown, while Brandon Tullis chipped in 52 yards on seven carries and his first career touchdown. 

There were a few moments where the offensive line didn’t keep Chiles clean, but the baseline set forth by this new group is as good as the Spartans could’ve hoped for. 

Western Michigan’s quarterback situation remains muddled

Brady Jones played the entire first half, and gave way to Broc Lowry in the second half. And neither quarterback engineered more than a threatening drive that ended in a turnover on downs. 

Jones connected with wideout Tailique Williams for 35 yards on the first play from scrimmage to cross midfield and kickstart the offense. He quickly marched the Broncos to the MSU 26 yard line. Facing a 4th and 4, head coach Lance Taylor kept the offense on the field and Jones failed to connect with Williams for a turnover on downs. It was as close as Western Michigan got to scoring with Jones at quarterback.

Lowry took the keys for the third quarter and the results were much the same. 

On his second pass attempt, Lowry floated a post down the left sideline that Baylin Brooks ran under for a 42 yard gain, into Spartan territory. Later in the drive, this time facing a 4th and 12 in Spartans territory, but now trailing 21-0, the Broncos went for it again. And Lowry found Williams for a completion, but the wideout was pulled down feet shy of the line to gain for a second turnover on downs in scoring range. 

Lowry led another drive into scoring range, resulting in a missed field goal attempt from 46 yards out. That drive materialized out of two big plays, a long scramble by Lowry to convert a first down and another long completion to Brooks. 

And neither quarterback was the beneficiary of a run game, as the Broncos were stymied.

Both ultimately played in the second half, with each taking drives in the fourth quarter.

Jones finished 11-of-23 for 97 yards and an interception that came on a tip at the line of scrimmage late in the first half. 

Lowry finished 5-of-10 for 91. Lowry was a bit more effective as a rusher, including a 23-yard scramble.

Spartans defensive front good, still coming along

It wasn’t toothless by any stretch on Friday, and by the fourth quarter the depth of the unit gave Michigan State a big advantage in wearing down the Broncos offensive line.

But the unit that Michigan State coaches would like to lead the charge on defense didn’t exactly take over on Friday night. It was good, finishing with four sacks and an additional 11 tackles for loss. But it wasn’t overwhelming, as the Broncos also utilized the mobility of their quarterbacks and quick game to minimize pass rushes. 

For whatever ground the unit still wants to gain as a pass rushing outfit, it did look the part in run defense on Friday. Western Michigan wants to be a run-first offense and couldn’t get going at all against the Spartans. 

Removing sacks, the Broncos totaled 61 rushing yards. 

And one of the biggest defensive plays of the game for the Spartans came against the run. Early in the third quarter, the Broncos were backed up at the 1 yard line after a spot-perfect punt from Ryan Eckley and good coverage from the gunners. 

The Broncos tried running up the middle with Jalen Buckley, and the tailback was swallowed up in the backfield for a loss of yards and a safety. 

The defensive front for MSU also proved disruptive in throwing lanes, and a deflection from Aisea Moa led to the lone interception from the defense. 

Tucker a bright spot for Broncos off the edge

For all that went poorly on Friday night for Western Michigan, Houston transfer DE Nadame Tucker was not just the best player on the defense for the Broncos at times, but the best player on the field. 

He finished with a pair of sacks on Friday night in his debut, both coming in the first half. The first sack helped derail a Michigan State drive and lead to a punt, creating a third and long. And just before halftime, Tucker came up with a sack fumble to set the Spartans way behind the sticks after a first down. He had an additional QB hurry and a tackle for loss to go with the sacks.  

Tucker hadn’t recorded a sack in three seasons at Houston prior to transferring. But if he can stay close to the pace he set forth on Friday night, he could quickly be a force for the Broncos defense. 

Spartan need placekickers healthy

Michigan State turned to third-string place kicker Blake Sislo to take extra points on Friday, and he answered the call, going 3-for-3. 

But when it came time to try a 45-yard field goal just before halftime, the Spartans ran out punter Eckley and his stronger leg. Eckley’s kick had plenty of distance, but drifted left of the upright and missed wide. 

Eckley also handled kickoff duties, which he managed fine. 

But Michigan State will need field goals to be made at some point this season, quite possibly next week against Boston College. And a healthy Tarik Ahmetbasic or Martin Connington would pretty much readily solve the problem. 

And Eckley, as a punter, continues to be among the nation's best. He pinned a pair inside the Western Michigan five yard line and had several punts longer than 50 yards.