By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
EAST LANSING - Balance was the name of the game for the Michigan State Spartans Saturday afternoon in its 2004 season opener.
The Spartans threw for 213 yards and ran for 192 yards in a 24-7 victory over Central Michigan University.
Michigan State (1-1) will now focus its attention on Notre Dame, which visits East Lansing on Saturday night.
The Fighting Irish are coming off a 28-20 upset of No. 8 ranked Michigan Saturday afternoon.
A change at quarterback seemed to spark the Spartans on Saturday against a Central Michigan squad which drops to 0-2 on the season.
Red-shirt freshman Stephen Reeves was 9-of-19 for 183 yards and a touchdown.
Reeves, who replaced last week's starter, Damon Dowdell, made his presence felt immediately with a 50-yard completion. His first touchdown pass for the Spartans was a 44-yard strike to Kyle Brown.
The Spartans led 10-0 at the half, but dodged a bullet just before halftime when the Chippewas drove inside the 10-yard line, but missed on a field goal attempt as time expired.
Central continued to put the pressure on the Spartans to start the second half, scoring on a 90-yard run by Jerry Seymour to cut the lead to 17-7.
A one-yard run by Jason Teague sealed the victory.
Michigan State was outrushed by the Chippewas, 236-213. Seymour finished with 164 yards on 26 carries.
Teague led MSU with 74 yards on 20 carries.