Michigan State’s first game of the Pat Fitzgerald era gave the staff enough film to start sorting out who made real noise in the 30-20 win over Toledo. On Monday, Fitzgerald highlighted a few Spartans who popped in the opener, with the focus landing on one offensive weapon, one disruptive interior defender and one transfer lineman who quietly held things together.
The headline name on offense was wide receiver Rodney Bullard Jr., who was voted the team’s Offensive Player of the Week. He delivered seven catches on 11 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown, and his fourth-down score in the fourth quarter put Michigan State ahead for good. He also came through on the two-point conversion right after, helping turn a slim edge into a seven-point cushion.
"I think his performance speaks for itself with a touchdown catch and the two-point conversion," Fitzgerald said Monday.
Bullard’s Week 1 impact carried extra weight because his availability for the season wasn’t even certain not long ago. He had been fighting the NCAA for a waiver and had a hearing scheduled before finally being granted eligibility for the 2026 season on Aug.
- Michigan State would have been in a very different spot without him on Friday.
On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Eli Coenen was the biggest standout. He made his presence felt right away by getting a hand on a pass on Toledo’s opening drive, and Pro Football Focus credited him with four pressures as a pass-rusher. For an interior lineman, that kind of disruption matters.
"Eli had a really good game," Fitzgerald said. "Three tackles, a TFL, a sack, a QB hit, the PBU.
I know that may be different than your stats officially. You can keep your official stats.
We'll do ours that are more accurate. It's no disrespect to the statisticians in this world.
We get the opportunity to go back and watch tape. I just have a bone to pick because I finished my career with 299 tackles."
Michigan State also got a strong first impression from North Dakota State transfer Trent Fraley at center. He posted the second-best PFF grade on the offense with a 76.9, behind quarterback Alessio Milivojevic’s 85.4, and he didn’t allow a pressure. Fraley also graded best on the offensive line in run blocking.
"The big playmaker this week was Trent Fraley," Fitzgerald said. "As a staff, we thought he played really well."
Friday’s game also produced a couple of moments that spread fast online. One came when a Toledo defender pulled down Cam Edwards’ pants on a tackle.
The other came when offensive tackle Robert Wright Jr. vomited just as the ball was snapped during the Spartans’ two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. Fitzgerald said Wright deserved credit for finishing the play anyway.
"Absolutely phenomenal job by Robert staying in the fight," he said. "That was absolutely disgusting."
Fitzgerald said Wright has actually had that happen before, pointing to a moment from his time at Georgia Southern that never got the same attention.
"I asked him today on the field," Fitzgerald said. "I'm like, 'Have you ever gone viral before?'
'He's like, coach, I did that at Georgia Southern, and nobody noticed.' I go, 'Welcome to the Big Ten, welcome to Michigan State.'
People are gonna notice."
Fitzgerald also said he is continuing a weekly tradition from Jonathan Smith: Practice or Scout Team Players of the Week. The Week 1 winners, chosen by the team, were quarterback Peyton Babbit on offense, linebacker Adam Shaw on defense and rush end Cory House Jr. on special teams.
All three are true freshmen. Babbit is a walk-on who flipped to Michigan State from D-II Saginaw Valley State late in the recruiting process.
Shaw has already made noise at linebacker and could see some action this season. House has also impressed early with his length and frame, which Fitzgerald said do not feel typical for a freshman.
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