The offensive line, which was the least experienced offensive group coming in, looked like a veteran unit opening up holes and allowing for sophomore running back Edwin Baker and freshman running back Le’Veon Bell to register big plays.

“I think our offensive line is playing well and I think we have good running backs,” head coach Mark Dantonio said. “Those guys are a year older now. They’re more experienced. They have more confidence. They understand the nuances of the running game.”

Baker and Bell combined to give the Spartans early life in the game, as Baker took all the carries on MSU’s opening drive, before Bell ran nine yards for a touchdown on the Spartans’ second drive to make the score 10-0 MSU.

Bell made bruising runs on MSU’s next two drives, pushing through would-be tacklers and recording a 17-yard run early in the second quarter. He finished with 10 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Baker recorded several runs of five yards or more in the second half and was a consistent threat for the Spartans. But no play in the game was bigger than his 80-yard touchdown run, in which he ran through a couple tackles, broke into the open field and scored to put the Spartans ahead, 27-7.

“I saw daylight and I went,” Baker said.

“I put the jets on and was able to score.”

He finished with 15 carries for a career-high 183 yards and a touchdown in averaging an astonishing 12.21 yards per carry.

With sophomore running back and projected starter Larry Caper held out the past two weeks because of a hand injury, Baker and Bell have carried the load and will allow for a deep unit of backs when
Caper returns.

“Larry is my right-hand man and when he comes back, it will be that dynamic duo, and we will be able to get it done,”
Baker said.

The only major mistake of the game was Bell’s fourth quarter fumble that set up an FAU field goal, but that can be corrected as he gets experience. Last week, Bell shined with a freshman record 141 yards on 10 carries.

Baker and Bell have combined for 490 rushing yards the past two weeks and hope to continue that next week against Notre Dame.

The offensive line dominated for the second straight week after last week’s 297-yard rushing performance against Western Michigan. If the Spartans can keep up that effort, it will bode well for Big Ten play, where MSU will be tested against some of the top defensive lines in the country.

“Coming into camp, the chemistry of the offensive line is much better than it was last year,” senior center John Stipek said. “(Baker and Bell) use their blockers to their advantage and it makes it easier for us.”