By By ANDY HAMILTON / Dowagiac Daily News
EAST LANSING – Matt Trannon broke a nearly six-year-old Michigan State record Saturday as the Spartans romped past Eastern Michigan, 52-20.
The senior wide receiver hauled in 14 catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for one touchdown; a 35-yard toss to a wide open A. J. Jimmerson to put the Spartans up 21 points in the first half.
The last Spartan to catch more than 13 passes in one game was Plaxico Burress in the 2000 Citrus Bowl against the University of Florida.
Michigan State's Drew Stanton completed 24-of-32 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for two scores, both by faking out defenders on quarterback option plays.
"Well, it was a roller coaster ride, I felt like we were at Cedar Point," said Michigan State head coach, John L. Smith. "I was proud of our kids, after getting their tails chewed a bit at halftime, they responded and played a very good second half."
Trannon's touchdown pass put Michigan State (2-0) up 24-3 with less than five minutes to play in the first half. But, the Eagles (0-2) fired back, and by halftime cut the Spartan lead to seven.
On fourth down and four yards to go at the Michigan State 39 and down three touchdowns nearing halftime, Eastern Michigan pulled out their own trick play. Eagles back-up quarterback Andy Schmitt threw a lateral pass to sophomore wide receiver Dontayo Gage, who launched a 39-yard bomb to Travis Lewis for a score.
Eastern followed that play by recovering an onside kick at their own 46-yard line. After a 38-yard strike from Schmitt to DeAnthony White, the Eagles then completed the 6-play, 72-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown reception by Eric Deslauriers.
Eastern continued to fight back on the opening kick of the second half. The Spartans Javon Ringer fielded the kick and ran for 20 yards before turning the ball over on a fumble.
The Eagles took advantage of the miscue and added an Andrew Wellock 38-yard field goal to make the score 24-20. However, it was the last time Eastern put points on the board.
Stanton scored his second rushing touchdown on the next Spartan possession, capping off a 12-play, 78-yard drive to put the Spartans up, 31-20.
Michigan State added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Stanton completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Trannon, and back-up quarterback Brian Hoyer hit Jimmerson in the end zone from 6-yards out.
"I was really happy with the way we came out and played the second half. We didn't do exactly what we wanted to on offense (in the first half), but we put up some points and Eastern Michigan got back into the game on some trick plays," Stanton said. "In the second half, I think we came out and set the tone. The defense did a good job of holding Eastern Michigan to a field goal, and when our offense was on the field, we felt comfortable with everything we were seeing and trying to do."
Stanton also set a few school records in Saturday's win by throwing for at least 200 yards and at least one touchdown in his last 14 starts. His 17-yard touchdown pass to Trannon in the second quarter pushed him over 5,000 yards passing as a Spartan.
"We've always been very comfortable with each other," Trannon said of his comfort level with Stanton. "We have a great offense and distribute the ball well. It's not just me making plays; it's all 11 of us. It's the offensive line, Drew making passes, and everyone blocking and running the right routes."
The Spartans travel to Pennsylvania to face Pittsburgh at noon on Saturday
Eastern Michigan 3 14 3 0 – 20
Michigan State 10 14 14 14 – 52
EMU – WELLOCK, Andrew 41 yd field goal
MSU – Stanton, Drew 6 yd run (Swenson, Brett kick)
MSU – Swenson, Brett 25 yd field goal
MSU – Trannon, Matt 17 yd pass from Stanton (Swenson kick)
MSU – Jimmerson, A.J. 35 yd pass from Trannon, Matt (Swenson kick)
EMU – LEWIS, Travis 39 yd pass from GAGE, Dontayo (WELLOCK kick)
EMU – DESLAURIERS, E. 9 yd pass from SCHMITT, Andy (WELLOCK kick)
EMU – WELLOCK, Andrew 38 yd field goal
MSU – Stanton 1 yd run (Swenson kick)
MSU – Williams, T.J. 8 yd pass from Stanton(Swenson kick)
MSU – Trannon, Matt 7 yd pass from Stanton (Swenson kick)
MSU – Jimmerson, 6 yd pass from Hoyer, Brian (Swenson kick)