Michigan State University
3-1 , 1-0
Central Michigan
1-4
No. 21 Michigan State Handles Central Michigan 31-20
9/29/2018 3:30:00 PM | Football
AP Sports Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Brian Lewerke ran for two touchdowns in the first half, and No. 21 Michigan State overcame a slow start and an underwhelming finish to beat Central Michigan 31-20 on Saturday.
The Spartans entered with the nation's top-ranked run defense and held CMU to 5 yards on the ground in the first two quarters. Michigan State led 31-3 before letting the Chippewas rally a bit in the fourth.
Connor Heyward and La'Darius Jefferson also ran for touchdowns for the Spartans.
CMU (1-4) kicked a field goal on the game's first possession and held that lead at the end of the first quarter. Lewerke threw an interception in the end zone in the first, but the Spartans (3-1) would have plenty of chances in the red zone.
Lewerke scored on runs of 3 and 5 yards, and Michigan State led 17-3 at halftime. CMU's Tommy Lozzaro threw two interceptions in the first half, giving the Spartans great field position.
Heyward and Jefferson scored their TDs in the third, but the Spartans didn't close the game out very emphatically. CMU scored a touchdown, recovered an onside kick and then kicked a field goal to make it 31-13. Then the Chippewas scored on a trick play, with running back Jonathan Ward throwing a 29-yard scoring pass to Tony Poljan with 6:44 remaining.
The Spartans, who were without running back LJ Scott for a second straight game, were able to run out the clock after that.
Lewerke went 16 of 25 for 185 yards.
UP NEXT
CMU: The Chippewas host Buffalo next Saturday.
Michigan State: The Spartans go back to their Big Ten schedule with a home game against Northwestern next Saturday.
Team Stats
CMU 3, MSU 0
CMU - TICE, Ryan 40 yd field goal 5 plays, 43 yards, TOP 1:51
CMU 3, MSU 7
MSU - Lewerke, Brian 3 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick), 4 plays, 35 yards, TOP 2:03
CMU 3, MSU 14
MSU - Lewerke, Brian 5 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick), 6 plays, 46 yards, TOP 2:52
CMU 3, MSU 17
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 33 yd field goal 8 plays, 19 yards, TOP 1:29
CMU 3, MSU 24
MSU - Heyward, Connor 2 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick), 8 plays, 58 yards, TOP 4:27
CMU 3, MSU 31
MSU - Jefferson, L. 2 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick), 8 plays, 44 yards, TOP 4:42
CMU 10, MSU 31
CMU - HICKS, Julian 10 yd pass from LAZZARO, Tommy (TICE, Ryan kick) 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:49
CMU 13, MSU 31
CMU - TICE, Ryan 40 yd field goal 6 plays, 26 yards, TOP 1:19
CMU 20, MSU 31
CMU - POLJAN, Tony 29 yd pass from WARD, Jonathan (TICE, Ryan kick) 8 plays, 69 yards, TOP 3:06
