That will conclude VAVEL USA's live coverage of Michigan State vs. Western Michigan from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Thanks to everyone who followed along.
Michigan State, who takes on the #7 Oregon Ducks, has a lot of work to do on defense if they want to come away with a win against the firepower offense in Oregon.
What seperated these two teams was the penelties. Michigan State just 3 for 25 yards, while Western Michigan had 8 for 77 yards.
Michigan State finished with 452 total yards, while Western Michigan. The Spartans had 196 rushing yards, while the Broncos had just 18.
Wide reciever Corey Davis carved out the MSU secondary, pulling in 10 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Bravarian added 13 receptions for 109 yards.
The Michigan State defense, as usual, dominated their opponents running game. The Broncos had just 18 rushing yards on 23 carries.
Zach Terrell played very, very good for Western Michigan. The redshirt junior went 33-50 for 365 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
The Spartans dominated with 8 sacks tonight, three of which were completed by middle linebacker Riley Bullough.
Aaron Burbridge was Connor Cook's favorite target tonight, as the wide reciever had 4 catches for 117 yards.
LJ Scott was the Spartans leading rusher, piling up 77 yards on 13 carries. Madre London added 13 carries for 59 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Gerald Holmes added 54 yards on 9 carries.
Connor Cook didn't perform as well as expected and truthfully quite dissapointing, as he completed just 15-31 passes for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns.
We will have our game recap up very soon.
Michigan State comes away with 37-24 victory. Western Michigan played very good, but were simply outmatched by the #5 Spartans.
Final score: 37-24 Michigan State.
Michigan State will just run the clock down the rest of the way here.
4th quarter 1:36: Interception! Vyant Copeland picks off a lob to Corey Davis.
4th quarter 1:54: Zach Terrell with a few nice throws and the Broncos are inside MSU's 10 yard line.
4th quarter 2:32: Western Michigan is running the clock down and it's going to take a miraculous effort to comeback and win this one. But hey, anything's possible, it's college football.
4th quarter 3:40: Corey Davis picks up a first down on 3rd and 4 and the Broncos are into MSU territory at the 40 yard line.
4th quarter 5:07: AJ Troup can't hold on to Cook's pass and it will be 4th down. Punt team on.
4th quarter 5:50 Madre London is stopped in the backfield for a loss of 5 and it will be 3rd and 10 for MSU.
4th quarter 6:44: Quick 3 and out for Western Michigan. Punt is blocked and rolls out to the 50 yard line.
4th quarter 7:42: The field goal is good and MSU is up 37-24.
4th quarter 7:47: Aaron Burbridge can't get his feet in on 3rd and goal from the 4 yard line and Michael Geiger is on to attempt a field goal.
4th quarter 9:13: LJ Scott has been dominant on this drive, picking up big run after big run. Inside the red zone now.
4th quarter 10:53: Aaron Burbridge with a great catch on a great throw from Connor Cook for a gain of 28 yards to Western's 30 yard line.
Western Michigan with two touchdowns on their last two drives. This game is a lot closer than we all expected it to be.
4th quarter 11:09: Touchdown Western Michigan! Michigan State bites on the play action and the tight end Jeremiah Mullinax is wide open in the endzone. 34-24 game.
4th quarter 11:15: Western Michigan is moving down the field with ease on this drive.
4th quarter 13:30: Two straight first downs by Western Michigan on a 15-yard personal foul and a 26 yard completion to Daniel Bavarian. Zach Terrel and his Broncos are looking really good this drive.
4th quarter 14:28: Riley Bullough with his 3rd sack of the night for Michigan State. 2nd and 19.
4th quarter 14:40: Jake Hartberger's booming punt rolls into the end zone and the Broncos will begin their drive at the 25 yard line.
4th quarter 14:48: Cook overthrows Josiah Price on 3rd and 6 and the punt unit is on the field.
And that's the end of the 3rd quarter. Michigan State leads 34-17.
:55 3rd quarter: Cook finds Aaron Burbridge for a 16 yard gain and first down.
1:47 3rd quarter: Touchdown Broncos! Corey Davis with a sensational catch in the endzone. Great pass by Zach Terrell. 34-17 now. 15 play, 75 yard for the Broncos.
2:30 3rd quarter: MSU stops the Broncos on 3rd and 5 but the WMU will go for it on 4th again. Inside MSU's 20 yard line.
4:15 3rd quarter: Western goes for it on 4th down and converts. Zach Terrell's pass is complete to Carrington Thompson for a 1st down.
4:21 3rd quarter: Zach Terrell finds Michael Henry for a 16 yard gain on 3rd and 21.
5:39 3rd quarter: Javarian Franklin has a head injury and will not return tonight.
6:38 3rd quarter: Corey Davis picks up yet another first down on 3rd and long. He has 6 catches for 109 yards. That man is going to be scary in the NFL someday.
7:24 3rd quarter: Terrell is sacked by Riley Bullough for a loss of aboit 7. He has 7 tackles and 2 sacks tonight.
7:45 3rd quarter: Western Michigan running back Javarian Franklin took a helmet to the knee on his last run and is injured. Looks pretty serious.
8:20 3rd quarter: Corey Davis picks up the first down for Western on a screen pass.
9:00 3rd quarter: Western Michigan picks up 4 yards on 2nd down on a carry by Javarian Franklin. 3rd and 7.
9:25 3rd quarter: Touchdown MSU! Cook finds DeAnthony Arnett for and he cruises into the endzone for a 21-yard touchdown. 34-10.
Connor Cook is 8/10 for 154 yards on 3rd down tonight.
11:27 3rd quarter: Cook finds DeAnthony Arnett for a 15 yard gain on 3rd and 8. Two straight first downs on 3rd down for Michigan State.
12:50 3rd quarter: RJ Shelton picks up the first down on 3rd and 5 on a screen pass. 1 & 10 and the 50 yard line.
15:00 3rd quarter: The Broncos kickoff to start out the second half results in a touchback. MSU will start at their own 25 yard line.
9:12 - The Broncos have 5 penalties for 33 lost yards, while the Spartans just, 1 for 5 yards.
9:09 - The Spartans have 271 total yards, while the Broncos have managed just 152. The big diffrence in this game is, however, is the rushing yards. The Spartans combined for 106 yards on the ground while the Broncos, just 2 yards.
9:06 - Zach Terrell is 15-24 with 152 yards and 1 interception for the Broncos. Jaravrian Franklin has been shut down by the Spartans defense, with 6 carries for just 15 yards. Corey Davis has 4 catches for 81 yards, while Daniel Bravarian has 9 catches for 51 yards. Darius Phillips has 4 kickoff returns for 185 yards and a touchdown, the team's only TD of the game.
9:03 - Connor Cook is 9-18 for 165 yards and 1 touchdown. Gerald Holmes with 7 carries and 47 yards, while Madre London has 5 carries for 33 yards. Aaron Burbridge gas 2 catches for 75 yards, and Josiah Price has 3 catches totalling 49 yards.
8:55 - Western Michigan has had a few opportunites to make it much closer game - within 14 points - but failed to convert. The Spartans defense had basically eliminated Western's running game, with the Broncos big plays coming in deep passes downfield.
8:51 - It's halftime in Kalamazoo and the Spartans lead 27-10. Connor Cook and co. have had little trouble marching down field and putting points up on the board.
:23 2nd quarter: Malik McDowell sacks Zach Terrell for a loss of about 10 yards. 3rd and 15 for the Broncos.
:40 2nd quarter: Terrell finds a hole in Spartans zone for a clutch 20 yard gain on 3rd and 14.
1:23 2nd quarter: Cook can't find Aaron Burbridge on 3rd down and the Spartans will punt.
2:14 2nd quarter: 230-pound freshman running back LJ Scott with a few powerful runs and MSU picks up the first down.
2:51 2nd quarter: Field goal is up and good. 27-10 Spartans lead.
2:51 2nd quarter: The Broncos can't find the endzone on third down. Field goal unit on to attempt to an easy field goal.
3:00 2nd quarter: Western with a very good drive and they're at the MSU five yard line.
2nd quarter 5:09: Daniel Breverman breaks a few tackles and picks up about 15 for the Broncos. Montae Nicholson injured on the play.
2nd quarter 6:14 - Terrell finds Corey Davis downfield for a huge 45 yard gain on 3rd and 15. Taking advantage of a young Spartans secondary.
2nd quarter 6:56 - Terrell is sacked and it'll be 3rd and 15 for the Broncos from their own 5 yard line.
2nd quarter 7:55 - Another short return after two huge ones on the kickoff. Western will start inside their own 10 yard line.
The Spartans have been very versatile offensivley, showing a wide variety of formations and a solid balance of passing and running.
2nd quarter 8:00 - Touchdown MSU. Gerald Holmes cruises in untocuhed for the Spartans 4th touchdown of the game. 27-7.
2nd quarter 8:27 - AJ Troup makes a catch for a first down on 3rd and 7. Spartans moving very quickly down field. Now inside the 10 yard line.
2nd quarter 10:30 - Cook finds Joshia Price on two straight plays for two straight first down. MSU in a quick no-huddle offense.
Just realized we've been forgetting to add the time of the game clock at each update. Apologies. 10:37 level in the second half.
Terrell is pressured on 3rd down and forced to throw it out of bounds. Punt unit on for the Broncos.
Two straight drops by Western Michigan on potential big plays. 3rd down and 10.
Another fumble and it's recovered again by the Broncos, but it'll count this time. RJ Shelton is stripped of the ball.
Cook is sacked on 2nd down and fumbles. Western Michigan comes away with a clutch recovery, but a flag is called on the Broncos and MSU will get a second chance.
Western Michigan has been putting five men on the line of scimmage in an attempt to slow down the Spartans running attack. It's worked so far.
Pass interference called on Ronald Zamort on 2nd and 11 and the Spartans pick up a free first down.
MacGarret Kings calls a fair catch on the punt at about the 15 yard line and the Spartans will look to add yet another touchdown.
Terrell throws an incomplete pass on 3rd down. Broncos to punt.
Western finds a hole in the Spartans zone and pick up the first down.
Michigan State leads 20-7 at the end of the first quarter. Western Michigan will have 3rd and 6.
Western Michigan picks up a first down on the first play of their drive. Terrell finds Corey Davis for an 11 yard gain.
Touchdown MSU. Cook finds tight end Josiah Price on a seam route for the Spartans third score of the game. 20-7.
Connor Cook finds Aaron Burbridge on 3rd and 7 for a 55-yard gain. MSU goes into a no-huddle offense inside the red-zone.
Western Michigan to punt after a three yard gain on 3rd down. Connor Cook and the Spartans offense will look to add to their lead.
Zach Terrell is sacked by DT Joel Heath and Western Michigan will have a 3rd and 10 opportunity.
Spartans squib kick the kickoff and stop Darious Philips at the 15 yard line. No huge kick off return this time.
The Spartans attempt a two point conversion but can't find convert. 13-7.
Touchdown MSU! Madre London with a powerful run and he's into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Effecient drive for MSU.
Ronald Zamort is called foe defensive holding and the Spartans have a first and goal inside the 10 yards line.
Connor Cook finds MacGarret Kings for a first down and a gain of about 15 yards on the play. MSU in the redzone.
3rd down for the Spartans after picking up a few first downs.
Gerald Holmes with a solid run of about 20 yards. Michigan State establishing the running game early.
RJ Shelton takes his kickoff return out to about the 35 yards line and the Spartans will look to answer back.
Very poor special teaming on the kickoff for Michigan State. Might need to squib kick it the rest of the game.
Touchdown Western Michigan! Darius Phillips takes the kickoff back all the way for 101 yards. Second huge return for him today.
Touchdown MSU! Freshman Madre London with an easy 24 yard run and the Spartans are the board first. Quality blocking by the offensive line.
Interception! The ball is deflected at the line of scrimmage and safety Montae Nicholson comes away with it. Spartans with solid field position.
Darian Hicks stops Javarian Franklin as soon as he's handed the ball on first down. 2nd and 11.
Connor Cook throws an incomplete pass to MacGarret Kings on 3rd and 10 and the Spartans will punt. Both teams come away scoreless on their first drives.
Madre London runs for a huge touchdown but a flag is called on Michigan State. Too many men on the back field. 1st and 15.
Aaron Burbridge with a solid catch on 3rd on 9 for the Spartans to pick up a 3rd down.
41 yard field goal by Andrew Haldeman no good. Connor Cook and Spartans offense out on the field.
Michigan State with some quality open field tackling on the first drive of the game. 4th and 6 for Western. Will attempt a field goal.
Darious Phillips with a huge kickoff return to start the game. Takes it out to the Spartan 30 line. 72 yard return. Great start for Western.
Michigan State won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.
We're back after a few techinical diffuculties. The game is set to begin in a few minutes and will be broadcasted on ESPNU.
While Western Michigan has a good squad and will compete for the MAC Championship, they're outmatched by MSU on both sides of the ball. The Spartans should win comfortably and have a good confidence builder going in their primetime matchup with Oregon next week. For the game tonight, we will be updating this LIVE continunally throughout. The game starts at 7:00 PM EST.
The Broncos defense is captained by senior MLB Grant DePalma, who at 5-foot-9, 218 pounds, had 102 tackles last season. They do, however, lack size on the defensive line and at linebacker. MSU's elite offensive line should handle them easily. The secondary features CB Darius Phillips and S Justin Tranquill, but it'll be tough with them to hang with the Spartans elite passing attack.
The Spartans defense will be swarming tonight, with the Broncos offensive line being a bit shaky outside of LG James Kristof. Defensive end Shalique Calhoun and defensive tackle Malik McDowell headline the defensive line, while Darian Hicks captains the linebacking crew. Safeties Montae Nicholson and RJ Williamson, the lone remaining member of the team's 2013 "No Fly Zone", will be expected to come up huge in the secondary.
This is arguably the biggest game in Waldo Stadium history, with one writer from the Kalamazoo Gazette comparing it to Abraham Lincoln's visit to the city in 1856. With these schools only separated by 60 miles, there will probably be an even amount of fans of both schools.
Michigan State lost their defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, who, in this writers opinion, was the best assistant in college football. Narduzzi took the head coaching job at Pittsburgh. He was replaced by Harlon Bennet and Mike Tressell, who will share the position.
Western Michigan will be competing for the MAC Championship, and an impressive outing tonight will do wonders for their confidence going forward.
Michigan State allowed just 88 rushing yards per game in 2014, which easily led the nation. However, they allowed 227 passing yards, which was good enough for 48th in the country. Western Michigan allowed 153 rushing yards (46th) and 217 passing yards (47th).
Connor Cook is one of 16 players listed on ESPN's Heisman Watch. An impressive outing tonight to start out the season could be very crucial. Michigan State will play #7 Oregon at home next week, but head coach Mark Dantonio isn't thinking about that game yet, but the Western Michigan game.
"To this day, (Michigan State) will be the best defense I will have ever seen," Terrell told Western Michigan's twitter account. "The build-up to this game is definitely something that has been different than years past." Western Michigan quarterback Zach Terrell had a huge season for Western last year, passing for 3,443 yards and 26 touchdowns with a school record 68% of his passes completed.
Michigan State's secondary is really their only questionable area, and will be tested early by the Broncos passing game. The Spartans lost key talent on both sides of the ball to graduation, including running back Jeremy Langford, wide receiver Tony Lippet, safety Kurtis Drummond, and cornerback Trae Waynes. All four players were selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. Read our preview of today's game between these two teams here.
True freshmen Madre London and LJ Scott along with sophomore Gerald Homles will split carries at running back. Junior Delton Williams was the team's starter before being suspended, removed from the team, then re-added to the team with his scholorship being revoked. Connor Cook has a strong receiving core that includes WRs Aaron Burbridge, MacGarret Kings Jr., RJ Shelton, AJ Troup and TE Josiah Price. Kings will return punts while Shelton will return kickoffs. MSU's offense was a force to be reckoned with in 2014, averaging 501 yards per game (11th in nation) and 43 points (7th).
Western Michigan has zero injuries reported. Michigan State has an assortment of players suffering from injuries tonight. Linebacker Ed Davis, who was expected to make a huge impact on the Spartan's defense this season, suffered a season ending knee injury. Cornerbacks Arjen Colquhoun (undisclosed), Darian Hicks (mononucleosis), defensive tackle Enoch Smith Jr. (hernia) are all probable.
Western Michigan took huge strides as a program last season, going 8-5 after a 1-11 season the previous year. They'll return a skilled offense that includes QB Zach Terrell, who had a record breaking season for the Broncos in 2014, RB Javarian Franklin, who ran for over 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns and won MAC Offensive Player of the Year, and a WR combo of Corey Davis and Daniel Braverman that caught for a combined 2,405 yards. Michigan State put together another impressive season in 2014, going 11-2 and winning the Cotton Bowl in comeback fashion against Baylor. Seventeen starters from last year's team return this season. The Spartans are ranked #5 in the nation to start out the season. Senior quarterback Connor Cook will lead the offense and senior Shalique Calhoun will lead the defense. Both players are projected to go in the early first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Welcome to VAVEL USA's live coverage of the 2015 NCAA College Football matchup between the Michigan State Spartans and the Western Michigan Broncos. The game will be hosted at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan with a 7:00 PM ET start time. Western Michigan last beat Michigan State in 1919, 96 years ago. These teams last faced in 2013, with MSU winning 26-13.