Michigan State football: 3 takeaways from pull-away win over CMU

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Michigan State’s Jonathan Kim, center, watches as his field goal is good against Central Michigan during the second quarter on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. /

2. The defense improved throughout the game

After a rough 2022 season on the defensive side of the ball, it looked like the unit didn’t improve all that much through the first quarter of the opener.

The Spartans were tied 0-0 with Central but the Chippewas were able to drive all the way into the red zone and nearly scored a touchdown had it not been for Bert Emanuel Jr. slipped after getting the snap on fourth down and goal.

Hazelton doubt was running rampant at that point, but the Spartans figured it out and the starters allowed just over 150 total yards before building a 31-7 lead.

There were some mental lapses in the first half with Maverick Hansen picking up a critical facemask and Malik Spencer getting an unsportsmanlike conduct. Outside of that, the defense really bounced back and looked improved compared to last season.

Sure, it’s Central, but any time a defense holds a team under 10 points and gives up less than 200 total yards for a majority of the game, it deserves some props.

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