Western Michigan @ Michigan State Game Overview
WMU vs MSURecords
WMU RecordLast 10
| Date | vs | Result | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, '24 |
USA
|
L 23 - 30 | L 5.5 | u54.0 |
| Nov 30, '24 |
EMU
|
W 26 - 18 | W -6.5 | u55.5 |
| Nov 19, '24 |
@
CMU
|
L 14 - 16 | L -6 | u56.0 |
| Nov 12, '24 |
@
BGSU
|
L 13 - 31 | L 9.5 | u57.5 |
| Nov 06, '24 |
NIU
|
L 28 - 42 | L 2 | o52.0 |
| Oct 26, '24 |
KENT
|
W 52 - 21 | W -18.5 | o60.5 |
| Oct 19, '24 |
@
BUFF
|
W 48 - 41 | W -1.5 | o49.5 |
| Oct 12, '24 |
AKR
|
W 34 - 24 | W -9 | o48.0 |
| Oct 05, '24 |
@
BALL
|
W 45 - 42 | L -10 | o57.5 |
| Sep 28, '24 |
@
MRSH
|
L 20 - 27 | L 3.5 | u54.0 |
WMU Next 3 Games
WMU vs MSU Preview
Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2022 ) Western Michigan 13, Michigan State 35
When Michigan State kicks off its season Friday night in East Lansing against visiting Western Michigan, it won't just be the start of another fall campaign. It'll be a litmus test for Jonathan Smith, who kicks off his second year as head coach of the Spartans.
After his team lost four of its last five games and finished 5-7 in 2024, Smith is embracing the challenge of goals that include bowl eligibility and beyond for a program hungry for relevance.
"Our guys are focused in their prep of Western Michigan," Smith said. "This is our first opportunity. We're only guaranteed 12 of those (games). Obviously, we want to be playing more than 12, but we're only guaranteed 12."
A great deal of the Spartans' success will depend on the improvement of quarterback Aidan Chiles. He followed Smith from Oregon State and became the Michigan State starter in 2024. He completed 59.4 percent of his throws for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns -- with 11 interceptions -- and rushed for 225 yards and three scores, with four lost fumbles.
Chiles showed flashes of promise last season but struggled with ball security -- something Smith hopes will improve with another offseason in the system.
"I want (Chiles) to operate and trust what he sees, and take what they give you, get us in the right play and compete," Smith said of his expectations in the opener.
Chiles will face a Broncos team that brought in 33 transfers and 14 freshmen during the offseason after finishing 6-7 last season.
"It'll be a great challenge and opportunity for us on Friday night, one that we're looking forward to embracing," said Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor. "Our focus has really just been on worrying about the process of getting better every single day, and not trying to get too high or too low, riding that emotional roller coaster."
With Hayden Wolff gone, the Broncos will rotate two quarterbacks: redshirt sophomore Broc Lowry and JUCO standout Brady Jones. Lowry, last year's backup, brings familiarity with the system. Jones arrives from Riverside Community College, where he lit up defenses with 4,456 yards passing, including 44 touchdowns.
"They've both done an excellent job really commanding the offense, being great teammates, being great leaders, and when they've had opportunities, they've been efficient, they haven't put the ball in jeopardy, and really done a nice job leading our offense," Taylor said.
Western Michigan has lost 13 straight games to the Spartans.
--Field Level Media
WMU vs MSUInjury report
Western Michigan's Injuries
| Player | POS | Status | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z. Vaughan | OG | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Vaughan is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Broncos. | ||||
| N. Sines | TE | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Sines is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Broncos. | ||||
| C. Webb | CB | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Webb is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Broncos. | ||||
| J. Thomas | CB | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Thomas is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Broncos. | ||||
| N. Bishop | DL | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Bishop is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Broncos. | ||||
| C. Cabana | RB | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Cabana is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Broncos. | ||||
| J. Hofer | OG | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 04, '25) | Oct 04, '25 | |
| Hofer is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Broncos. | ||||
| J. Schleicher | OG | Out - Knee( Sep 27, '25) | Sep 27, '25 | |
| Schleicher underwent knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season for the Broncos. | ||||
| A. Johanningsmeier | DL | Out - Undisclosed( Sep 27, '25) | Sep 27, '25 | |
| Johanningsmeier is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season for the Broncos. | ||||
Michigan State's Injuries
| Player | POS | Status | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Savoury | TE | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Savoury is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| A. Lafaele | DL | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Lafaele is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| T. Ahmetbasic | K | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Ahmetbasic is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| M. Pulliam | LB | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Pulliam is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| J. Thompson | DL | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Thompson is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| S. Ramil | OG | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Ramil is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| B. Parachek | TE | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Parachek is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| N. Martinez | CB | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Martinez is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| N. Burt | CB | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Burt is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| A. Willie | CB | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Willie is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| K. Schickel | LS | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Schickel is battling an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| A. Brown | WR | Questionable - Undisclosed( Oct 11, '25) | Oct 11, '25 | |
| Brown is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain to take the field for the Spartans. | ||||
| L. Vincic | OG | Out - Undisclosed( Oct 04, '25) | Oct 04, '25 | |
| Vincic is battling an undisclosed injury and will not take the field for the Spartans. He will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. | ||||
| B. Pretzlaff | LB | Out - Undisclosed( Oct 04, '25) | Oct 04, '25 | |
| Pretzlaff is battling an undisclosed injury and will not take the field for the Spartans. He will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. | ||||
| A. Brinson IV | CB | Out - Undisclosed( Oct 04, '25) | Oct 04, '25 | |
| Brinson IV is battling an undisclosed injury and will not take the field for the Spartans. He will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. | ||||
| C. Gash | CB | Out - Undisclosed( Oct 04, '25) | Oct 04, '25 | |
| Gash is battling an undisclosed injury and will not take the field for the Spartans. He will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. | ||||
QB Passing StatsRecent Games
| Date | Score | YDS | Att | Comp | Comp % | Y/A | TD/Int | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H.Wolff | Dec 14, 2024 | WMU 23 - USA 30 | 196 | 27 | 17 | 63.0 | 7.3 | 1/1 | 128.8 |
| H.Wolff | Nov 30, 2024 | WMU 26 - EMU 18 | 126 | 17 | 12 | 70.6 | 7.4 | 1/0 | 152.3 |
| H.Wolff | Nov 19, 2024 | CMU 16 - WMU 14 | 126 | 23 | 13 | 56.5 | 5.5 | 0/0 | 102.5 |
| B.Lowry | Nov 19, 2024 | CMU 16 - WMU 14 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 66.7 | 2.7 | 0/0 | 89.1 |
| H.Wolff | Nov 12, 2024 | BGSU 31 - WMU 13 | 195 | 32 | 24 | 75.0 | 6.1 | 0/2 | 113.7 |
| H.Wolff | Nov 6, 2024 | WMU 28 - NIU 42 | 179 | 27 | 14 | 51.9 | 6.6 | 1/2 | 105.0 |
| Date | Score | YDS | Att | Comp | Comp % | Y/A | TD/Int | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.Chiles | Nov 30, 2024 | MSU 14 - RUTG 41 | 150 | 23 | 13 | 56.5 | 6.5 | 1/0 | 125.7 |
| A.Milivojevic | Nov 30, 2024 | MSU 14 - RUTG 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0/1 | -200.0 |
| A.Chiles | Nov 22, 2024 | MSU 24 - PUR 17 | 159 | 31 | 15 | 48.4 | 5.1 | 2/0 | 112.8 |
| A.Chiles | Nov 16, 2024 | ILL 38 - MSU 16 | 256 | 40 | 23 | 57.5 | 6.4 | 2/0 | 127.8 |
| A.Chiles | Nov 2, 2024 | MSU 10 - IU 47 | 193 | 24 | 16 | 66.7 | 8.0 | 1/2 | 131.3 |
| T.Schuster | Nov 2, 2024 | MSU 10 - IU 47 | 36 | 8 | 4 | 50.0 | 4.5 | 0/0 | 87.8 |
| A.Chiles | Oct 26, 2024 | MICH 24 - MSU 17 | 189 | 23 | 17 | 73.9 | 8.2 | 1/0 | 157.3 |
WMU vs MSU Offense vs Defense
Key Stats League ranks in parenthesis
| OFFENSE |
Off. Rank | Stat | Def. Rank | DEFENSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | (--) | Yards | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Yards/Play | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Rush Yds | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Rush Att | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Yards/Rush | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Pass Yds | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Pass Att | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Comp | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Comp% | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Yards/Comp | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Yards/Att | (--) | 0.0 |
| .0 | (129) | QB rating | (117) | .0 |
| League Avg. |
|---|
| 351.0 |
| 5.3 |
| 147.6 |
| 36.0 |
| 4.1 |
| 204.3 |
| 29.8 |
| 18.5 |
| 62.0 |
| 11.1 |
| 6.8 |
| - |
More Stats
| OFFENSE |
Off. Rank | Stat | Def. Rank | DEFENSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | (--) | Sacks | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Sack Yds | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Intercepts | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Fumbles | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Penalties | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Penalty Yds | (--) | 0.0 |
| League Avg. |
|---|
| 1.9 |
| 12.8 |
| 0.6 |
| 0.4 |
| 6.1 |
| 51.1 |
Points
| OFFENSE |
Off. Rank | Stat | Def. Rank | DEFENSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | (--) | Score | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | 1st Q | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | 2nd Q | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | 3rd Q | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | 4th Q | (--) | 0.0 |
| League Avg. |
|---|
| 22.3 |
| 4.1 |
| 6.2 |
| 5.4 |
| 6.5 |
Special Teams
| OFFENSE |
Off. Rank | Stat | Def. Rank | DEFENSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | (--) | Yards/Punt Ret | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | Yards/KO Ret | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | FG Att | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | FG Made | (--) | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | (--) | FG% | (--) | 0.0 |
| League Avg. |
|---|
| 11.7 |
| 20.2 |
| 2.2 |
| 1.6 |
| 74.3 |