Michigan State opened up the season with a lot of pressure to live up to expectations in 2023. After a lackluster 5-7 year a season ago, fans expected the Spartans to show up in 2023, and that started with a game against Central Michigan.
Despite a slow start, the Spartans were able to take care of business, defeating the Chippewas 31-7 in their season opener at Spartan Stadium in front of a sell out crowd.
An offer for Spartans fans
For the best local Detroit news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.
Michigan State's Simeon Barrow Jr., top, sacks Central Michigan's Bert Emanuel, Jr. during the first quarter…EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Noah Kim #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to…EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: A general view as the sun sets during a game…EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Simeon Barrow Jr. #8 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates…EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Stephen Bracey Jr. #10 of the Central Michigan Chippewas is…EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Noah Kim #10 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a…EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Maliq Carr #6 of the Michigan State Spartans catches a…EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans looks…Sep 1, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Brandon Wright (26), defensive…Sep 1, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick (16) pulls…Sep 1, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick (16) pulls…Sep 1, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tyrell Henry (2) pulls…Sep 1, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tyrell Henry (2) runs…Sep 1, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Young Michigan State Spartan fans celebrate a touchdown in…Sep 1, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Maliq Carr (6) pulls…Michigan State wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (83) makes a catch against Central Michigan defensive back…Central Michigan running back Myles Bailey (26) is stopped by Michigan State defensive back Malik Spencer…Michigan State running back Nathan Carter (5) runs against Central Michigan defensive back Donte Kent (4)…Michigan State defensive lineman Zion Young (9) tackles Central Michigan wide receiver Stephan Bracey Jr. (10)…Michigan State's Dillon Tatum, left, Malik Spencer and Jaden Mangham tackle Central Michigan's Myles Bailey during…Michigan State's Jonathan Kim, center, watches as his field goal is good against Central Michigan during…EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Simeon Barrow Jr. #8 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates…Michigan State's Simeon Barrow Jr., top, sacks Central Michigan's Bert Emanuel, Jr. during the first quarter…Michigan State's Nathan Carter runs for a gain against Central Michigan during the second quarter on…Michigan State's Armorion Smith, left, tackles Central Michigan's DeAnthony Becton during the second quarter on Friday,…Michigan State's Jaden Mangham, left, and Cal Haladay, right, tackles Central Michigan's Myles Bailey during the…Michigan State mascot Sparty cheers before the football game against Central Michigan on Friday, Sept. 1,…Michigan State's Zion Young, left, tackles Central Michigan's Stephan Bracey, Jr. during the second quarter on…Michigan State's Nathan Carter, left, runs for a gain as Central Michigan's Trey Jones, right, closes…Michigan State's Noah Kim throws a pass against Central Michigan during the second quarter on Friday,…
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
