MSU football: Video analysis looking ahead to Youngstown State game
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss MSU football heading into the Youngstown State game.
Michigan State football is one week removed from a thrilling double-overtime win and one week away from a much-anticipated trip to Los Angeles.
But first came a Week 3 tussle with an FCS opponent, one that was a lot closer than many expected
The Spartans (3-0) beat the Youngstown State Penguins (2-1) 41-24 in a mid-afternoon matchup in East Lansing on Saturday, Sept. 13. Both quarterbacks, Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles and Youngstown State’s Beau Brungard, put on a show throughout the game.
However, the Spartans may have experienced two big losses, with star receiver Nick Marsh not appearing at the start the second half with a potential injury to his right knee. Later in the fourth quarter, starting running back Makhi Frazier limped off the field with an apparent injury to his left leg.
Michigan State is now 4-0 all-time against the Penguins, previously meeting them in a 42-14 home win on Sept. 11, 2021.
Michigan State entered the game the last remaining undefeated FBS team from the state of Michigan after a 42-20 double-overtime win against the Boston College Eagles on Saturday, Sept. 6. They are still undefeated, but their third win came with some nervous moments against an FCS opponent that put up a fight.
They’ll be heading to Los Angeles to start Big Ten play against USC on Saturday, Sept. 20, with a grueling 11 p.m. ET kickoff awaiting them on the west coast.
Here were live updates here as Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith accomplished second-straight 3-0 start.
It wasn’t as comfortable as a win the Spartans would have wished, and it may have come with some potentially costly injuries, but the Spartans exit their game against Youngstown State with the win.
They are now 3-0 and play USC in Los Angeles to start Big Ten play on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 11 p.m. ET.
Senior running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver scampered for a 22-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal the game for the Spartans.
Tau-Tolliver has 37 yards on four carries with a touchdown, though Chiles is the leading rusher for the Spartans with 76 yards on eight carries. Overall, the Spartans have 174 yards on the ground, with their rushing attack looking much more effective in the second half than the first.
Junior Spartans’ offensive lineman Conner Moore left the field with an apparent injury late in the fourth quarter. The cause or extent of his apparent injury is not clear.
Brungard found receiver Flash Wilson for a 19-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to come within 10 points of tying. Youngstown State then tried an onside kick to regain possession, but linebacker Wayne Matthews III recovered the kick to give MSU possession on the YSU 45-yard line.
Adding to a growing list of hurt Spartans, freshman linebacker Brady Pretzlaff grabbed his left shoulder while tackling Brungard for loss on a key second down play late in the fourth quarter.
He walked off the field on his own power, and his injury status is unknown.
Chiles attempted to find a wide-open Omari Kelly on 3rd-and-4 from the YSU 10-yard line, but threw it just over Kelly’s outstreched hands. MSU kicker Martin Connington hit the 27-yard field goal as the Spartans double-up the Penguins.
With Marsh and Frazier both out of the game, Chiles has taken on the role of the Spartans’ most electric offensive weapon.
Chiles has scrambles of 15 yards, 2 yards and 28 yards so far on this 67-yard drive. The last scramble came with Chiles attempting to hurdle a Penguins’ defender, only to be taken down on the YSU 16-yard line.
He shrugged after the play, maybe explaining his decision to jump.
An official timeout was taken for Michigan State trainers to attend to running back Makhi Frazier, who appeared hurt on a play early in the fourth quarter. He was helped off the field as he appeared to hurt his left leg.
His injury status is unclear, and we’re waiting for updates.
Instead of going for it on fourth-and-long deep in MSU territory, Youngstown State opted for a field-goal attempt. The 37-yard kick from Andrew Lastovka, however, went wide, rendering the potentially impactful Penguins’ drive scoreless.
The YSU offense had a great chance to claw even further back into the game, but the MSU defense stuffed the Penguins for a net loss of two yards on the first three plays of the drive to end the half.
YSU will begin the fourth quarter with a 4th-and-12 on the MSU 19-yard line. Their last fourth down attempt in the MSU red zone led to a touchdown.
Chiles’s first pass on the Spartans’ latest drive was tipped by YSU linebacker Carston Marshall and intercepted by defensive lineman Cameron Cunningham. The Penguins start on the Spartans’ 18-yard line looking to make this a one-score game.
It was Chiles’s first interception of the season.
Just when it seemed like the Spartans were pulling away, the Penguins slid back in.
A 39-yard pass up the middle from Brungard to running back Jaden Gilbert set up Youngstown State on the MSU 9-yard line late in the third quarter. The Spartans were able to fource a fourth-and-goal, but Brungard found receiver RK Dandridge for a three-yard touchdown pass to make this a two-score game.
Chiles found his first passing touchdown of the day on a 28-yard play-action pass to wide-open junior tight end Michael Masunas.
Chiles now has 263 yards passing on 20-of-25 attempts, averaging 10½ yards per attempt. The Spartans can’t seem to find success on the ground, however, with 65 total yards on 21 rushes.
The leading rusher, naturally, is Chiles, though running back Makhi Frazier has put up only 18 yards on 10 rushes so far this game.
Transfer receiver Omari Kelly’s 83-yard punt return to the YSU 4-yard line came very close to a touchdown, if not for a last-second tackle that tripped up Kelly right before he could break the plane.
Sophomore running back Brandon Tullis punched in the score on the next play, giving the Spartans a two-score lead.
Per our Spartans’ insider Chris Solari, Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh is not on the sideline as the second half starts.
Coach Jonathan Smith said Marsh was “dealing with some things” before halftime, but didn’t elaborate.
Michigan State leads at halftime, which is what many expected. But they only have a one-score lead, which is a bit more unexpected.
After the Smith interception, the Spartans drove 70 yards on nine plays to get down to the Youngstown State 1-yard line with seven second left, but almost let the clock run down on a false start penalty that would’ve triggered a 10-second runoff (using a timeout to keep the clock frozen). The half ended with a field goal from Martin Connington, giving Michigan State a 7-point lead.
Both teams have been content with long drives that have taken a lot of time, with the Spartans taking advantage with two touchdowns on three red zone attempts, almost making it a third touchdown with a little more time before their most recent score.
Brungard is 7-of-10 on pass attempts with 70 yards through the air, while adding 17 yards on the ground. But Chiles has been putting on a passing clinic, going 16-of-21 with 213 yards through the air.
One thing to look out for: MSU receiver Nick Marsh, who has 94 yards receving already, was not on the field during the Spartans’ most recent drive. Coach Jonathan Smith didn’t indicate whether he was hurt during his halftime interview, and he seemed to jog normally off the field with his team as the half ended.
Michigan State defensive back and Detroit native Armorion Smith intercepted Brungard’s pass on the MSU 24-yard line to get the ball back for the Spartans. The interception ended a Penguins’ drive that was aiming to re-take the lead — now the Spartans have a chance to extend their lead before halftime.
Chiles missed on a deep throw aiming for tight end Jack Velling on fourth-and-eight from the Youngstown State 41-yard line, giving the Penguins the ball back with a chance to take the lead before halftime.
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Luka Vincic appeared to suffer an injury on his left leg a third down play late in the second quarter. He was helped off the field by two Spartans’ officials.
His health status for this game is not yet known.
Youngstown State running back Jaden Gilbert ripped off a 66-yard run that ended on the Spartans’ 1-yard line, and punched it into the end zone two plays later on the Penguins’ third possession of the game.
It was a 65-yard scoring drive on just four plays, and all of a sudden we have a game again.
Wide receiver Nick Marsh was the featured receiver on Michigan State’s opening drive, and tight end Jack Velling was the featured pass-catcher on the second.
Two catches of 15+ yards by Velling put the Spartans deep into Penguins’ territory, leading to a one-yard touchdown run from running back Makhi Frazier.
Frazier has had a tough time getting going, however, with only 18 yards on eight carries so far in the first half.
It’s looking like a seven-on-seven drill for Chiles, who already has 108 yards passing in the game.
The Michigan State quarterback started 6-for-6 in the game before recording his first incomplete pass. His favorite target? Sophomore receiver Nick Marsh, who already has 65 yards on four catches.
An 18-yard catch from tight end Jack Velling has the Spartans in the red zone once again.
A Michigan State defense that struggled keeping Youngstown State’s offense in check in the first quarter was able to force a three-and-out on the Penguins’ second drive of the game.
The Spartans are driving early in the second quarter.
Not quite the blowout many expected in East Lansing … at least not yet.
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles is 3-for-3 on passes with 53 yards through the air, plus 10 key yards on the ground, all gained on a key fourth-down conversion.
Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard is matching Chiles throw-for-throw, with 46 yards on 5-of-6 passing in the Penguins’ opening drive. The Penguins will start the second quarter with the ball as each team got only one full possession in the first.
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles converted a 4th-and-8 on the Youngstown State 37-yard line with a 10-yard scramble to keep the Spartans’ openeing drive alive, and then found transfer receiver Omari Kelly for a 15-yard pass down the right side of the field.
Two plays later, receiver Rodney Bullard Jr. received the play-action end-around, broke a tackle and found the end zone on an 8-yard run, giving Michigan State an early lead.
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles found sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh on back-to-back catches of 28 and 10 yards on the second and third plays of the Spartans drive, bringing Michigan State into Penguins’ territory. The second throw to Marsh was on a play action that seemed to fool the entire Youngstown State front seven as Chiles faked the handoff to the left and rolled to his right.
Well, it could have been worse.
Youngstown State, an FCS program and massive underdog, has just taken an early lead against Michigan State — though the Spartans were able to limit the Penguins to a field goal on the opening drive. Quarterback Beau Brungard has been the centerpiece to this Penguins offense, making quick decisions on his throws and finding space downfield with his legs.
It was a 15-play, 65-yard drive that ended in Michigan State’s red zone. Brungard is 4-for-5 on pass attempts with 40 yards passing, while adding 19 yards on the ground on his five rushing attempts. Maybe most importantly, Youngstown State kept Michigan State’s offense on the sidelines for more than half a quarter.
We’ll see how the Spartans offense responds.
Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard has made it work with both his legs and his arm, completing all three of his passes and scrambling for a fourth-down conversion on the Penguins’ first possession.
Youngstown State is driving in Spartans territory early in the first quarter, adding a trick play that led to a 23-yard pass from Brungard to junior tight end Alex McDonald.
The Spartans kick off to start, giving the Penguins the game’s first offensive possession.
Michigan State’s Week 3 matchup against Youngstown State was originally scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET, but it is now scheduled to kick off at 3:40.
Keep it here for updates!
Freshman Jace Clarizio, the highly-recruited running back from East Lansing High, is not in uniform for the third straight game per our Spartans insider Chris Solari.
Clarizio, who was the No. 5 player in Michigan’s 2025 class, intially committed to Alabama before flipping his commitment to Michigan State in December. But Spartans fans will have to wait to see his college debut, however.
Michigan State and Youngstown State have faced off three times in their history, all within the last 15 years and all ending in Spartans’ home victories.
- Sept. 2, 2011: MSU 28, Youngstown State 6.
- Sept. 14, 2013: MSU 55, Youngstown State 17.
- Sept. 11, 2021: MSU 42, Youngstown State 14.
Six new members will be inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 during today’s game, including former football coach Mark Dantonio and former basketball star Sam Vincent.
The others: soccer standout Tony Keyes, women’s volleyball stalwart Kori Moster, women’s golfer Caroline Powers and All-American men’s wrestler Nick Simmons.
Michigan State’s availability report for today’s game against Youngstown State features six players listed as “out” and zero players listed as “questionable.”
- DB Caleb Gash (out).
- DB Andrew Brinson IV (out).
- K Tarik Ahmetbasic (out).
- LS Kaden Schickel (out).
- OL Ashton Lepo (out).
- DL Jalen Satchell (out).
According to our Spartans’ insider Chris Solari, Gash and Brinson are both out for the season, impacting Michigan State’s depth in the secondary. But one piece of good news for the Spartans’ secondary: safety Nikai Martinez is not on the report after missing the first two games of the season against Western Michigan and Boston College.
Michigan State’s players and coaches have made their way through the Spartan Walk before their matchup against Youngstown State.
How to watch Michigan State vs Youngstown State
The Spartans’ Week 3 matchup against the Penguins will air on the Big Ten Network, with streaming available on Fubo.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET.
Channel: Big Ten Network.
Streaming: Fubo (free trial).
Radio: WJR-AM 760 (Detroit).
Saturday’s Michigan State game can be streamed on Fubo, which carries the Big Ten Network.
Michigan State vs Youngstown State betting odds
Michigan State is a heavy favorite to beat Youngstown State, an FCS opponent, on Saturday.
Spread: MSU by 23½ points.
Moneyline: MSU (-2300), Youngstown State (+1060).
Over/under: 52½ points.
Odds are courtesy of FanDuel sportsbook as of Saturday morning.
Michigan State vs Youngstown State prediction
Chris Solari: Chiles and the offense continue to move the ball through the air and on the ground, and Joe Rossi’s defense neutralizes Brungard’s running ability. The Spartans are able to get some younger players experience throughout the second half heading into Big Ten play next week at USC, with Jonathan Smith becoming the first coach in program history to have back-to-back 3-0 starts. The pick: MSU 48, Youngstown State 10.
Christian Romo: Chiles will put up three passing touchdowns before halftime, and running back Makhi Frazier will add a couple on the ground before the second string gets valuable playing time in the fourth quarter.
The Penguins are an FCS opponent, but also put up 56 points against Robert Morris last Saturday. They’ll put up a couple of touchdowns against the Spartans, even if one comes in garbage time, though it won’t nearly be enough to challenge for a win. The pick: MSU 49, Youngstown State 17.
Michigan State football 2025 schedule
- Week 1: W, 23-6 vs Western Michigan.
- Week 2: W, 42-40 vs Boston College.
- Week 3: vs Youngstown State, Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).
- Week 4: at USC, Sept. 20, 11 p.m., Fox.
- Week 5: Bye week.
- Week 6: at Nebraska, Oct. 4, TBA.
- Week 7: vs UCLA, Oct. 11, noon.
- Week 8: at Indiana, Oct. 18, TBA.
- Week 9: vs Michigan, Oct. 25, TBA.
- Week 10: at Minnesota, Nov. 1, TBA.
- Week 11: Bye week.
- Week 12: vs Penn State, Nov. 15, TBA.
- Week 13: at Iowa, Nov. 22, TBA.
- Week 14 vs Maryland, Nov. 29, TBA (game at Ford Field).
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com
