It took nine games for the Player of the Game Award to have a repeat winner, and the second one came from the same Spartan who opened the season on top. Liam Boyd, the kicker who won the honor in the opener, is back there again after a performance that separated him from a crowded field.
Boyd’s case was simple: he supplied every point in MSU’s win over um. The Spartans never reached the end zone, but Boyd kept the scoreboard moving by going 5-for-5 on field goals.
He also added an extra point. Against Toledo, he had already shown the same kind of volume with five field goals, but this time he did it without a miss.
That was enough to edge out a poll that featured several strong options. Boyd finished with 58% of the vote, topping the 56% he received when he won the award in Week 1.
The rest of the ballot reflected how many Spartans made an impact. NiJhay Burt put together a stat line that included one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, one pass defended and six tackles.
Nikai Martinez had one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss and seven tackles. Anelu Lafaele posted one sack, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble.
Chrishon McCray finished with six receptions for 92 yards, and Brandon Tullis ran 25 times for 86 yards.
Even with Boyd taking the award, the comments showed plenty of support for other names. RI Spartan backed Burt, writing: "I voted Burt and would again if I could. 2nd on team in tackles and his 2 4th quarter TO were massive for MSU."
mcgowa14 also leaned Burt’s way after weighing several candidates: "Felt like Lafaele was everywhere. Credited with 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 1FF, and 1 Hurry.
He has been a difference maker the last few games, but Burt played great, Tulis played great, McCray was rock solid. I think Burt gets the nod for 2 direct turnovers vs the 1 for Lafaele."
Boyd’s second win puts him in a small club. DT Ben Roberts, RB Cam Edwards, LB Jordan Hall, RB Jaziun Patterson and S Devin Vaught have each won the award once, and there were two games without a winner.
In Other News...
Mel Tucker Is Trying To Change The Vibe Around Spartan Football
With Washington coming to town, Michigan State has spent the lead-up trying to make sure the atmosphere matches the opponent. Mel Tucker and athletic director Dan Bartholomae have been out in the student community, making the rounds at local bars, speaking directly to students and pushing them to show up and bring some life back to Spartan football. The pitch has gone beyond words, too, with tickets and concession vouchers handed out as part of the effort.
It is the kind of outreach that says the program understands the game-day vibe has become part of the story around this team. Michigan State is trying to tighten the bond between the football program and the Spartan community, and the timing matters with a marquee nonconference game on deck. Whether all of that translates into a fuller student section and a louder stadium will be one of the more interesting things to watch once kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Roberts Could Change Everything For MSU Against Washington
Michigan States injury report is starting to look a little more encouraging heading into Washington, and the biggest name on it is defensive lineman Ben Roberts. After being sidelined by injury, Roberts has been upgraded to questionable for the matchup, a sign the Spartans may be getting closer to full strength at a spot where depth can matter in a hurry. Cornerbacks Charles Brantley and Tre Bell, along with backup quarterback Cam Fancher, are also in the questionable mix, leaving plenty of uncertainty as the Spartans prepare for a game that could hinge on availability as much as scheme.
Washington has its own injury question to sort through with star quarterback Demond Williams Jr. also listed as questionable, adding another layer to a game already shaped by health concerns on both sides. Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald has said he is hopeful some of the injured players can work their way back later this season, which makes this week feel like more than just a single-game update. For a team trying to stabilize itself, getting Roberts back on the field could be a meaningful step if he is able to go. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Women Just Showed How Dangerous This Deep Roster Can Be
Michigan States women kept rolling with a 91-50 win over Oakland, and the most encouraging part for the Spartans was how many different players shaped the game. Theryn Hallock set the tone with a strong all-around showing, while freshmen Manique Bobongie and Lily Williams made their presence felt on both ends of the floor. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone this roster has more than one way to take control of a game.
Kennedy Blair added another layer to that depth with aggressive defense, rebounding and playmaking as Michigan State stayed comfortably ahead throughout. For a team trying to build momentum, wins like this matter not just because of the margin, but because they show how quickly the rotation can produce impact from top to bottom. The Spartans looked deep, active and difficult to match, which is exactly the sort of problem opponents will have to solve going forward. [Read more 🡒]