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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Column: Notre Dame loss illuminates holes in MSU's arsenal

For the defense, it was the first time this season an offensive touchdown was allowed. For junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell, it was the first time all season he was sacked (and then the second, third and fourth times soon after). And for the juniors and younger, it was their first ever loss in Spartan Stadium.

FOOTBALL

History In The Making

It began in 1897. Back then, MSU was “State Agricultural College.” Notre Dame was “Notre Dame” — it always has been. Playing in South Bend, Ind., the Fighting Irish trounced the Spartans — then the Aggies — by a score of 34-6 in the first-ever meeting between the two football teams.

FOOTBALL

MSU faces Irish in high-octane matchup

For the second time in three weeks, the No. 10 Spartans (2-0) will host a prime-time matchup bathed under the lights at Spartan Stadium, as No. 20 Notre Dame (2-0) travels to East Lansing for the Battle for the Megaphone.

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FOOTBALL

Memories of Little Giants play lingers

For Le’Veon Bell, it was the longest four seconds of his life. As the 2010 MSU football team lined up for a fake-field goal to beat Notre Dame in overtime, the play was designed for punter Aaron Bates to throw a pass to Bell, but the running back was taken to the ground and thought the game had been lost.

FOOTBALL

Receivers stand out in weekend matchup

Flash forward a week and the offense has gone from stumbling to startling, with eight receivers totaling more than 14 yards receiving in the No. 10 MSU football team’s (2-0) 41-7 victory over Central Michigan (1-1).

FOOTBALL

Maxwell able to lead MSU, conference

Midway through the No. 10 Spartans’ (2-0) 41-7 thrashing of Central Michigan (1-1) on the Chippewas’ home turf Saturday afternoon, something became very apparent — Andrew Maxwell is going to be just fine.

FOOTBALL

Arnett frustrated with playing time against CMU

It was the biggest play of DeAnthony Arnett’s young MSU career. The sophomore receiver’s 48-yard reception was a careerlong and set up an MSU touchdown on the Spartans’ opening drive of the second half against Central Michigan, but after the game Arnett hardly was thrilled. After playing less than a handful of plays in the Spartans’ season-opening victory against then-No. 24 Boise State, MSU receivers coach Terrence Samuel said Arnett likely would see an increase in playing time on Saturday.

FOOTBALL

Defensive end Lawrence Thomas makes impact at fullback against CMU

It’s been over a decade since MSU legend T.J. Duckett donned a green and white uniform, but Saturday afternoon there was another No. 8 lining up in MSU’s backfield. Redshirt freshman defensive end Lawrence Thomas — “LT” to his coaches and teammates — saw an expanded role in a place few expected to see — at the fullback position.

FOOTBALL

Pleasant Trip

The Spartans went on to finish off the Chippewas 41-7 behind Bell’s two touchdown, 70 yard performance and the leadership of junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell, who threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns on 20-for-31 passing.

FOOTBALL

Bell off to another hot start, as Spartans lead Chips 24-0 at halftime

Junior running back Le’Veon Bell is leading the Spartan effort, carrying the ball 15 times for 60 yards and two touchdowns. After a shaky start, junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell seemed to find his groove with his receiving corps, going 17-for-28 for 213 yards and his first touchdown of the season, a 20-yard strike to junior tight end Dion Sims.