Recap: Michigan State 23, Eastern Michigan 7
Sep 22, 2012
No. 20 Michigan State 23, Eastern Michigan 7: Le'Veon Bell ran for a career-high 253 yards and a touchdown as the Spartans held off an upset bid by visiting Eastern Michigan.
Andrew Maxwell threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass and Dan Conroy kicked three field goals for Michigan State (3-1), which played uninspired football for most of the game against the winless Eagles (0-4) – a 33-point underdog.
Bell, who had 36 carries, scored on a 1-yard run with 2:05 remaining to put the game out of reach.
Tyler Benz threw a second-quarter touchdown pass to give Eastern Michigan a 7-3 halftime advantage. The Eagles hung on to the lead until Conroy's third field goal – a 35-yarder – late in the third quarter put Michigan State in the lead for good at 9-7.
Maxwell's 10-yard scoring pass to Dion Sims gave the Spartans a 16-7 lead and capped a 12-play, 89-yard drive.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Eastern Michigan is 0-31 against Big Ten teams. ... Michigan State allowed 46 yards rushing. ... Eagles TE Garrett Hoskins caught eight passes for 102 yards.
