Michigan State 'got punched in the mouth' by Toledo. But Spartans found their way to 1-0 www.freep.com/story/sports...

Michigan State 'got punched in the mouth' by Toledo. But Spartans found their way to 1-0

Pat Fitzgerald reflected on his long absence from the sidelines and return as the Michigan State football coach.

freep.com

MSU football analysis after dark, unlike anything you'll find elsewhere. With @chrissolari.bsky.social and @shawnwindsor.bsky.social. www.lansingstatejournal.com/videos/sport...

Talkin’ Spartans: Analyzing MSU football’s 30-20 win over Toledo in Pat Fitzgerald’s debut

The Lansing State Journal’s Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press’ Chris Solari and Shawn Windsor break down the Spartans’ performance against Toledo.

lansingstatejournal.com

Michigan State football grades vs Toledo: Special teams saves the day www.freep.com/story/sports...

Michigan State football grades vs Toledo: Special teams saves the day

Free Press sports writer Chris Solari grades Michigan State football after the Spartans’ 30-20 win over Toledo on Friday, Sept. 4 at Spartan Stadium.

freep.com

MSU QB Alessio Milivojevic said there was no discussion about kicking a FG on the fourth-down play that he threw the go-ahead TD pass to Rodney Bullard Jr.

Fitzgerald felt the OL was at times dominant and at times causing self-inflicted wounds. MSU played seven guys on the line tonight.

Fitzgerald on the Toledo 71-yard TD run to take the lead, points to the chart in the football building that places responding right under winning as program priorities: "You have to respond to be able to win."

Fitzgerald on Milivojevic: "I think you saw a very mature, young quarterback." Felt his decision making "was spot on tonight."

Fitzgerald says RB Cam Edwards was cramping up repeatedly from the heat.

Fitzgerald on the fourth-and-1 TD call over going for a FG: "I'm not gonna be reckless, but I am gonna be aggressive."

Fitzgerald credits the guys who took over for the injured players, though he doesn't have any updates on Jordan Hall, Ben Murawski or others (those two and Edwards came back after getting hurt). MSU had the ball for 43:16 and he points out that he also is still sweating.

Fitzgerald on the scoring issues of four first-half FGs after opening with a TD, says "if those end up being touchdowns, we'd probably be having a different conversation." Talks about "self-inflicted wounds" after getting over midfield.

MSU coach Pat Fitzgerald: "Really proud of the way our guys responded." Says he talked to players before the season about responding and not reacting. Felt Toledo played hard as well.

Michigan State football opens Pat Fitzgerald era with rally vs Toledo www.freep.com/story/sports...

Michigan State football opens Pat Fitzgerald era with rally vs Toledo

Michigan State football score: UConn transfer Cam Edwards had nearly 100 rushing yards as the Spartans opened the Pat Fitzgerald era with a victory.

freep.com

Cam Edwards back in at RB with 5:30 to play and MSU with the ball at midfield after two Milivojevic runs.

Jordan Hall back in at linebacker for MSU.

MSU rolls the dice down a point on fourth-and-inches at the Toledo 5, and Milivojevic sprints left and hits Rodney Bullard open for a TD with 10:37 left. 2-point pass to Bullard in the back corner good, and Spartans go up 27-20 with 10:37 to play.

Now Cam Edwards is hurt and pounds his first on the turf. Trainers out to look at MSU's new RB.

Another great catch by Bullard, and a roughing the passer penalty on Toledo on top of it. MSU marching and into the red zone at the 14 quickly.

Vaught and Pretzlaff don't fill the hole on a run, Soares gets washed out of the lane, and Toledo's Connor Walendzak races 71 yards for a touchdown. Rockets' 2-point pass fails, but MSU now trails 20-19 with 13:47 to play.

END THIRD QUARTER: MSU 19, Toledo 14. Spartans facing fourth-and-1 at Rockets' 29 when play resumes after a 2-yard Marvis Parrish run.

Murawski just emerged from the medical tent and appears to be stretching his lower body/legs with the training staff.

Huge third-and-1 hit in the hole by MSU S Devin Vaught to stop Toledo deep in its own end and give MSU a chance at good field position again.

Richter to Dabbs on a corner route over MSU CB Tre Bell for a 6-yard TD pass. Extra point good, and Spartans' lead cut to 19-14, 6:49 left 3Q.

Jordan Hall not in at LB to start the second half for MSU's defense on its first drive.

Another drive fizzles. Then Boyd tries a 54-yard FG that gets blocked.

MSU with a 212-80 advantage in total yards, along with 125-9 edge in rushing, for a 21:46-8:14 TOP lead. But Spartans' three penalties have been costly.

That's three straight MSU drives stalling deep in Toledo territory as Milivojevic can't find anyone and slip-sacks himself. Another FG coming for Boyd.

MSU is riding its massive and overhauled left side of the line by running Edwards repeatedly behind LT Murawski and LG Moore, who moved inside after playing OT last year. Third-and-goal at the Toledo 3 coming up with 25 ticks before half.

Milivojevic working with Michigan transfer WR Fredrick Moore for three straight completions of 25 yards, then a nice run by Edwards is followed by a quick hitter to McCray to get MSU into first-and-goal at Toledo's 8. Timeout Rockets with 51 seconds left before half.

Boyd with a career-long 48-yard FG, his third of the game, as MSU goes up 16-7 on Toledo, 4:10 left 2Q. A second straight offensive drive sputtered despite starting with positive field position.