Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: 3 things you need to know about Central Michigan

By Scott Tolonen

Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker, center, and the team take the field before the game against Minnesota during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.220924 Msu Minn Fb 053a
Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker, center, and the team take the field before the game against Minnesota during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.220924 Msu Minn Fb 053a /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

Ladies and gentlemen, we have survived (barely) the offseason and have made it to game week. Up first, Michigan State football is playing the Central Michigan Chippewas.

Like MSU, the Chippewas are coming off a lackluster season but return a lot of experience.

Here are three things you need to know about the Spartans’ Week 1 opponents.

1. Their quarterbacks are explosive — in the run game

While Central Michigan’s top quarterback has transferred to FAU, there were two other quarterbacks that saw significant time in the 2022 season. Redshirt sophomore Jase Bauer threw for 435 yards last season on just 59 pass attempts. However, he only threw one touchdowns against five interceptions. His ability to run also helped him appear in games later in the season, running for over 300 yards and four touchdowns.

Their other option is dynamic playmaking redshirt freshman Bert Emanuel Jr. who rushed for just under 500 yards and seven touchdowns — as a quarterback. His passing numbers? Four completions on eight attempts for 54 yards, no touchdowns no interceptions. That isn’t a game statistic, that’s his season statistics.

Between the two, there is not a whole lot of experience, appearing in 10 games combined all coming last year. Yes, each quarterback brings something to the table, but the chances of either being the next Dan LeFevour are the longest of long shots.

They also lose their top wide receiver and top tight end. Pair all of this with an underside offensive line, and points look to be at a premium for the Chippewas in 2023.

Home/Spartans Football