Saturday was a completely different story for MSU (2-1 overall), producing a stout defensive performance that, regardless of the opponent, was pleasing to defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi.

“We’ve been sitting around two weeks here waiting to play a game and we got an opportunity to go back out and play,” Narduzzi said. “Doesn’t matter who we play, you got to show up. There’s a lot of preparation in every game no matter who we’re playing and you want to see the guys execute the plan.”

MSU held the Eastern Michigan (1-3 overall) to only 135 total yards in its 73-14 win on Saturday, with an impressive first half showing. MSU’s defense gave up one total yard in the opening 30 minutes and zero first downs as it posted a first half shutout. 

EMU’s senior quarterback Rob Bolden completed only 2-of-16 passes and the Eagle running game resembled the Wolverines’ effort against Sparty of last year with -14 yards on the ground in the opening half.

Junior defensive end Shilique Calhoun said it was important for the defense to come out firing on Saturday to help regain any confidence lost out in Eugene.

“We didn’t play our best game against Oregon so it was only right that we came out and played vicious and as dominant as we usually do and definitely get back on our step,” Calhoun said. “It was nice to come out and play well.”

On top of keeping EMU from moving the ball was MSU’s ability to force six Eagle turnovers — five fumbles and one interception. Coming into today MSU had forced only three turnovers this season, including an zero takeaways against No. 2 Oregon.

While some of the turnovers came off sloppy EMU plays, two of which were on muffed punts, head coach Mark Dantonio said the turnovers were crucial in taking care of the Eagles with ease.

“When you turn the ball over six times bad things are going to happen,” Dantonio said. “... The game went one sided really because (of) the turnovers.”

Calhoun and the rest of the Spartans were pleased with the defense’s performance against EMU, but he added that there’s still room for improvement. Following the game, Calhoun said the two Eagle touchdowns came on correctable blown assignments, and will serve as an example of where MSU needs to improve to reach the units’ goal of consistency.

“We got to keep it going, it’s something that can’t be a one time thing,” Calhoun said. “It has to be constant, that’s our defense, that’s our legacy. People swarming green, nasty just pursuit to the ball so we got to keep that going no matter who we’re playing.”