Week 2 Recap: Central Michigan at Michigan State

East Lansing Michigan- Central Michigan (1-1) kicker Andrew Aguila kicks the winning field goal on his second attempt in the 29-27 victory over the Michigan State Spartans (1-1) at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans finished the game with eight penalties for eighty one yards. Their last mental mistake gave the Chippewa’s field goal kicker Aguila another chance to win the game for Central Michigan. Aquila’s first attempt was missed from 47-yards away. The Spartans defense jumped off sides giving Andrew Aguila a second chance from 42-yards away to upset the Spartans on their home field.

Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins started and played most of the game. Cousins completed 13 of 18 passes for 164-yards and one touchdown. Back up quarterback Keith Nichol completed 3 of 8 passes for 51-yards and one touchdown.s

The Spartans didn’t take long to score on their opening drive. It only took Michigan State two minutes to run five plays for 74-yards with a Caulton Ray touchdown run giving the Spartans the lead 0-7 with 13:00 left in the first quarter.

Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour orchestrated an eleven play drive for 36-yards that resulted in an Andrew Aguila 49-yard field goal cutting into the Spartan lead 3-7 with 9:24 remaining in the first quarter. Spartan field goal kicker Brett Swenson ended the first quarter with a 39-yard field goal increasing the lead over Central 3-10.

The Spartans defense held the Chippewas to another Andrew Aguila field goal early in the second quarter allowing them to cut into the lead 6-10 with 13:16 remaining in the first half. The Chippewas second all time wide receiver Antonio Brown caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dan LeFevour to take the lead over Michigan State 13-10 with 5:49 remaining in the first half. The Spartans “other” quarterback Keith Nichol threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Charlie Gantt to take the lead back 13-17 with 4:16 remaining in the first half.

The Spartans and Chippewas defense picked up the intensity in the third quarter. The Spartans kicker Brett Swenson’s 32-yard field goal was the only score in the third quarter giving the Spartans the lead by a touchdown 20-13.

The fourth and final quarter of the game was an exciting one for all football fans. It would have been much better being a Chippewas fan but you have to love games that come down to one play or the last play of the game. The fourth quarter in a tight game is usually the cause of sweaty palms and an increase heart rate.

Central ran 9-plays for 76-yards that resulted in a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kito Poblah from quarterback Dan LeFevour to tie the game 20-20 with 14:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. Michigan State answered back with a 13-play drive for 80-yards and a touchdown retaking the lead 27-20 with 7:33 remaining in the game. Spartans wide receiver B.J. Cunningham caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins. LeFevour threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to running back Paris Cotton with 00:32 left in the game cutting into the lead 26-27. Central did not want to give the ball back to the Spartans in a tie ball game with 32-seconds left. They were relying on their defense to finish the game. The Chippewas went for a 2-point conversion to take the lead which failed on a Dan LeFevour pass attempt. The Chippewas now trail the Spartans by one point losing 26-27 with 00:32 remaining in the game. The Spartans had only 32-seconds to hold on to for their second win of the season but they could not cover the on-side kick by Central Michigan giving the Chippewas hope. Central Michigan kicker Andrew Aguila came out on the field to attempt a 47-yard field goal for the win. Aguila missed the 47-yard field goal but got another chance when the Spartans got penalized for being offside. Aquila’s second chance gift from the Spartans was perfect for 42-yards and the game winning field goal defeating Michigan State 29-27.

Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour completed 33 of 46 pass attempts for 328-yards three touchdowns and one interception. The Chippewas wide receiver Antonio Brown finished with 248 all-purpose yards.

The Spartans defense could not get into a rhythm and stop Central’s offense. “We knew we had a challenge coming into this football game. We watched them enough and knew they would play hard we knew this was a big game for them as well. I don’t think we took them lightly at all but I do think that we lost our rhythm on defense” Head Coach Mark Dantonio stated.

Next Game: - Michigan State (1-1) at Notre Dame (1-1) 3:30 PM est. NBC

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