“First I want to thank the Spartan nation, especially our students,” Fitzgerald said. “We're in the building early, warming up, and I don't know how many rows were filled up, but it's more than I've ever experienced before. So, on a selfish standpoint, I appreciate that more than they'll ever know.”

MSU's formula for success was its ability to control the football by nearly tripling Toledo’s time of possession. Sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic completed 26 of his 34 attempts for 247 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Edwards carried the ball 27 times for 98 yards and a score.

MSU challenged Toledo’s light defensive front with a run heavy script. Edwards carried the ball eight out of 13 plays, driving through the rushing lanes and dancing around defenders with ease. He capped off the drive by dragging a would-be tackler into the end zone for a 2-yard rushing touchdown.

The Spartans went back to the well on the second drive, methodically rushing the ball into the Rockets’ territory before settling for a field goal to take a 10-point lead.

Despite the offense firing on all cylinders, it was defensive coordinator Joe Rossi’s defense that deserved the most praise. MSU forced a Toledo punt on the first two drives before deploying a disguise coverage to confuse Rocket quarterback John Alan Richter. MSU graduate edge rusher Kenny Soares Jr. dropped back into coverage, tipped the ball up, lurking Richter for an interception and the first takeaway for this Spartan defense.

The interception set the Spartans up for another field goal opportunity, extending their lead to 13-0.

Toledo’s offense couldn’t move the ball for most of the game until Richter unleashed a bomb down the sideline. Wideout Adjatay Dabbs created separation with a double move, completely burning the MSU defense for a 60-yard touchdown.

But MSU's offense sprang back into form on each of its next two drives with another pair of field goals. MSU strolled into half with a comfortable 19-7 lead.

The Spartans converted on all five drives in the first half, but an entirely different team came out of the locker room.

MSU's offense lacked the same poise, and Edwards battled injuries for a majority of the second half. 

All of a sudden, Toledo took command of the pace and dictated almost every facet. The Rockets halted the MSU offense on three consecutive drives and found the end zone twice themselves to steal the lead for the first time of the night.

Dabbs, again, busted MSU’s coverage for a 6-yard touchdown, but it was running back Connor Walendzak, who silenced Spartan Stadium, breaking off a 71-yard rush to the house.

Down 20-19, MSU needed a gutsy drive from its returning captain Milivojevic. The Naperville, Ill native stepped up and connected with graduate receiver Rodney Bullard Jr. for a 26-yard and a 15-yard conversion. Milivojevic found Bullard Jr. twice more on the drive, once in the back of the end zone for the touchdown and again on a 5-yard out route to secure a 7-point lead. 

"We went out, and we drove down to score a touchdown," Milivojevic said. "So, I think just overall, we're going to continue to trust the defense and trust them to make stops, like they have to trust us to go score the ball."

The Rockets responded with a field goal attempt on the following drive, but missed wide right.

Later, the Spartans went up by two scores as graduate kicker Liam Boyd drilled a career-long 51-yard field goal to clinch the 30-20 victory.

"It was electric," Fitzgerald said. "It was really electric, and I'm just really grateful. I'm really thankful. I'm honored to be in the role, and I'm excited to be these guys' coach."

MSU will look to capitalize on its 1-0 start as it shifts its attention to another MAC school. The Spartans take on in-state foe Eastern Michigan at home on Sept. 12 at 3:30 p.m.