Michigan State opened the season the right way, and now the Spartans get another MAC test on Saturday afternoon against Eastern Michigan, with former Spartan Noah Kim coming to town. Eastern Michigan is 1-1 after a loss to San Jose State, and the early momentum from its season-opening win over Sacramento State has faded.
For Michigan State, the good vibes are still rolling. And if the Spartans want to turn those vibes into something even stronger, a few players who flashed in the opener need more opportunities against EMU.
Anelu Lafaele, EDGE
Anelu Lafaele was one of Michigan State’s highest-graded players in the opener, but he was on the field for just 18 defensive snaps. That fits the profile of a situational edge rusher, but he played like someone who deserves a much bigger slice of the workload.
Even without a stat line, Lafaele looked like the best player on the defensive line. He kept showing up in the backfield and speeding up the opposing quarterback’s decision-making with rushed throws.
That kind of disruption is hard to ignore. The more of it Michigan State can get, the better.
Marvis Parrish, RB
The running back room looked solid across the board in the opener, even if the raw numbers stayed modest. Every back who played did work in pass protection, and they all showed a willingness to finish runs by falling forward and squeezing out extra yards. That’s the kind of detail coaches love.
Still, Marvis Parrish didn’t get nearly enough touches.
The Western Kentucky transfer finished second on the team in rushing yards with 28, yet he got the third-most carries. He logged 16 snaps, behind Jaziun Patterson’s 25 and Cam Edwards’ 51. Edwards is clearly the top back, but Parrish made a strong case to be the next man up.
His style fits well next to Edwards. Parrish brings a downhill, contact-ready approach that gives the offense a different look.
Bryson Williams, WR
Bryson Williams is the kind of player who can keep forcing his way into the conversation. The redshirt freshman wideout got only one or two targets against Toledo, but there’s a clear sense he can offer more than the snap count showed.
He’s one of the names to watch as a breakout candidate this season, and the early usage didn’t do much to change that view.
KK Smith, Fredrick Moore, and Charles Taplin appear to be ahead of him in the receiver order, but none of that group separated itself in a big way. Rodney Bullard Jr. and Chrishon McCray are the top two targets, yet Michigan State still hasn’t found a clean answer for the No. 3 receiver role. Williams may end up being that guy if talent is the deciding factor.
Honorable mention: Carson Gulker, TE
Carson Gulker drew plenty of attention during fall camp, when the highlights made him look like a player ready to matter. So it was a little surprising to see him play just one snap in his Michigan State debut.
The coaching staff had its reasons, but Gulker still looks like someone who could become a real weapon for the offense if his role grows.
In Other News...
Michigan State Volleyballs 6-0 Start Looks More Dominant Every Match
Michigan States volleyball team kept rolling with another clean result, handling Western Michigan in a 3-0 sweep to extend its perfect start. The Spartans are now 6-0 and have won 17 straight sets, a run that has made the opening stretch look less like a hot start and more like a group that has settled in quickly on both sides of the net. Senior contributors Alanna Bankston, Zora Hardison and Karolina Staniszewska helped keep the momentum steady as the match went along.
The dominance showed up everywhere, from kills to digs to service aces and blocks, with Michigan State controlling the key areas that usually decide whether a match stays close. Five straight sweeps is the kind of early-season stretch that can build real confidence, and for a roster leaning on experienced players, it also suggests the Spartans are finding a clear identity before conference play starts to sharpen every test. [Read more 🡒]
Spartans Have One Last Chance To Climb Behind Their Top Golfer
Michigan States womens golf team heads into the final round of the Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes Golf Club needing a strong finish to move up the board. The Spartans sit ninth after a 13-over-par 301 in the second round, with sophomore Sarisa Pojanalai continuing to set the pace for the group as she stands tied for 21st at 2-over par 146.
Kansas has taken control of the tournament through two rounds at 5-under par 571, leaving Michigan State with a little work left if it wants to climb before the event ends. Pojanalai gives the Spartans a foothold, but the challenge now is getting the rest of the lineup to produce enough support to turn a middling team finish into something better. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Faces A Few Battles That Could Make This Uncomfortable
Michigan States trip into this matchup comes with a few familiar faces and a few pressure points, starting at quarterback. Alessio Milivojevic will have to navigate an Eastern Michigan defense that has shown it can make life difficult in the secondary, while the Spartans also have to keep an eye on how their own coverage holds up against a passing game that has been productive enough to demand attention. The game sets up as one where execution matters as much as talent, especially with both teams trying to establish some control early.
The intrigue only grows because the other sideline brings its own layer of familiarity and confidence, even if the Spartans have the deeper overall roster. Matchups at wide receiver and in the defensive backfield could decide whether this stays routine or turns into something more annoying for Michigan State, and Eastern Michigans defense will need to hold up if it wants to keep the game within reach. For a Spartans team looking to avoid a messy afternoon, the margins feel thinner than they should in a game like this. [Read more 🡒]