EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State football continued its strong start to the season,defeating Youngstown State 41-24 on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. The victory improves the Spartans‘ record to 3-0, marking the first time the program has achieved a 3-0 start in consecutive seasons as a three-year run from 2005-2007.
The win showcased a balanced Spartan attack, with contributions from multiple players. Running back Aden Gilbert powered his way to a 1-yard touchdown with 5:59 left in the first half, narrowing the Spartan lead to 14-10. Armorion Smith recorded his first interception as a Spartan just before halftime,setting up a 24-yard field goal by Martin Connington as time expired,extending MSU‘s lead to 17-10 at the break.
Michigan State extended its advantage in the third quarter. Omari Kelly nearly returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown – the 10th-longest in MSU history – before being stopped at the YSU 4-yard line. Brandon Tullis then rushed for a 4-yard touchdown on the ensuing play, increasing the lead to 24-10. Michael Masunas followed with a 28-yard touchdown reception, pushing the score to 31-10 with 6:55 remaining in the third.
Youngstown State responded, trimming the deficit to 31-17 when Beau Brungard connected with RK Dandridge for a 3-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal with 1:17 left in the third quarter. connington added his second field goal of the game, a 27-yarder, with 8:44 left in the fourth, making it 34-17.
The Penguins continued to fight, scoring on a 19-yard pass from Brungard to Kylon Wilson, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive and bringing the score to 34-24 with 3:04 remaining. Though, Elijah Tau-Tolliver sealed the victory with a 22-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left, finalizing the score at 41-24.
head coach Jonathan Smith becomes the first MSU head coach to begin his first two seasons with a 3-0 record. The Spartans will now turn their attention to Big Ten play, opening the conference season at USC on Saturday, Sept. 20, with kickoff set for 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on FOX.
