Michigan State’s offense has spent much of this rebuilding season searching for reliable sparks, and against Illinois, one came from a place that had been quiet for too long: the wide receiver room.
Fredrick Moore didn’t post eye-popping numbers in the box score, but he still made his presence felt in a game where few Spartan receivers did much of anything. Moore finished with two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown, a line that can be easy to overlook until you look closer at how the rest of the passing game unfolded.
His 42 receiving yards ranked second on the team against the Fighting Illini. Tight end Jayden Savoury led Michigan State with 49, while no other Spartan topped 36 yards and most failed to even reach the 30-yard mark. That made Moore’s production stand out more than it might have in a bigger offensive performance.
The biggest moment, though, was the touchdown. It was one of the few scores Spartan fans have had reason to celebrate in a stretch defined by offensive struggles, and Moore was the only receiver to finish with a touchdown grab. The other touchdowns belonged to running back Jaziun Patterson, who deserves plenty of credit for his work, but Moore’s catch gave the passing game at least one clear bright spot.
Moore is a junior, which means he still has another year with the Spartans, and possibly more if he can work out additional eligibility. That gives him a chance to become a more meaningful piece of the offense under Allesio Milivojevic.
For Michigan State, though, the focus now turns to what comes next. The Spartans will need Moore to keep building on this showing in games against Northwestern, UCLA, his former team, Michigan, and beyond. If he can keep emerging as one of MSU’s most dependable receivers, that would go a long way toward helping the program’s near future.
In Other News...
Tom Izzo May Be Leaning Toward A Surprise Starter Vs UConn
Michigan States first real test against UConn on Oct. 20 is still a little ways off, but Tom Izzo already seems to be sorting out one of the more interesting questions on his roster. Recent practice photos, along with what unfolded in the exhibition against Incarnate Word, point to true freshman Ethan Taylor as a possible starter at center, a development that would give the Spartans a different look in the frontcourt as they continue to build toward the regular season.
Anton Bonke was brought in to help stabilize that spot, so a freshman jump into the opening lineup would be worth watching closely. Izzo has never been shy about using the preseason to test combinations and see what sticks, and this appears to be one of those early decisions he is still weighing as Michigan State prepares for a challenging exhibition against a veteran opponent. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan States Deep Rotation Could Force A Big Cam Ward Shift
Michigan States preseason puzzle is less about finding enough bodies and more about fitting them all into the right spots. With a deep roster and multiple lineup combinations under consideration, the Spartans are weighing how to spread minutes in a way that keeps the group fresh while still maximizing the best matchups on the floor.
Cam Ward looks like one of the biggest variables in that equation. The sophomore forward could be in line for a larger role, and Tom Izzo has already acknowledged the possibility of using him at center to open up small-ball looks and add more tactical flexibility, a move that could end up shaping how the entire rotation settles in once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Savoury Is Becoming A Bigger Part Of Michigan State's Future
Through the first six games, Jayden Savoury has gone from a young tight end with promise to one of Michigan States most dependable targets. The redshirt freshman has made his mark in the passing game with 228 receiving yards, tying for the team lead in receptions and giving quarterback Alessio Milivojevic a reliable option in a season where the Spartans have needed steady production from unexpected places.
What stands out most about Savoury is how he is getting it done. His contested-catch ability and athleticism have made him a tough cover, and even without a touchdown yet, he has already shown why his role keeps growing. For Michigan State, the bigger takeaway may be that one of its most consistent offensive pieces is also one of the youngest, which makes his development worth watching the rest of the way. [Read more 🡒]