Michigan State Defense Strong Again In 28-14 Win Over WMU

By NOAH TRISTER/AP Sports Writer

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Brian Lewerke scored on a 61-yard run in the first quarter, and Michigan State's defense was impressive for a second straight week in a 28-14 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday.

Lewerke added another touchdown on a quarterback sneak and also threw for a TD on a day when the Spartans (2-0) didn't need to do much offensively. Michigan State has allowed only three touchdowns in two games this year. Two of them came on fumble returns and the other on a kickoff return.

The Broncos (0-2) looked like a dangerous opponent after rushing for 263 yards in a season-opening loss to Southern California, but the Spartans contained WMU's running backs. The only touchdowns for the Broncos came courtesy of Darius Phillips, on a 67-yard fumble return in the third and a 100-yard kick return in the fourth.

Lewerke opened the scoring with the longest touchdown run by a Michigan State quarterback since 1973. A fake handoff helped open up the middle of the field, and the sophomore was able to outrun the secondary for a 7-0 lead. Lewerke threw a 15-yard scoring pass to LJ Scott in the second quarter.

Phillips ripped the ball away from Hunter Rison and ran it all the way back to the end zone to make it 14-7, but Michigan State responded with a 75-yard scoring drive that included a 46-yard run by Darrell Stewart and Lewerke's 1-yard touchdown.

Scott scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth, but Phillips took the ensuing kickoff all the way back to make it 28-14.

The last time a Michigan State quarterback had a longer scoring run than Lewerke's was in 1973, when Charlie Baggett had a 69-yarder against Purdue.

THE TAKEAWAY

WMU: The Broncos were competitive enough against USC that it looked like they might not slip that much after going unbeaten in the regular season in 2016, even though they lost coach P.J. Fleck and a couple offensive standouts from that team. The game against Michigan State was less encouraging. WMU couldn't get its running game going, and the passing game wasn't ready to pick up the slack.

Michigan State: After beating Bowling Green 35-10 in their opener, the Spartans added another win against a Mid-American Conference school. There will be tougher challenges to come, but the defense has been a bright spot so far for an inexperienced team coming off a 3-9 season.

UP NEXT

WMU: The Broncos face Idaho next Saturday night in their home opener.

Michigan State: The Spartans have an open date before hosting Notre Dame on Sept. 23.

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