Recap: Michigan State 'O' shows out against Youngstown State, 42-14

Nolan Bianchi
The Detroit News

Michigan State was out to prove that a Week 1 win over Northwestern wasn't a fluke, and they did exactly that in Saturday's 42-14 win over Youngstown State in East Lansing.

Jayden Reed scored on the first play of the game for Michigan State (2-0), making it a second consecutive week that a Spartan has scored a 75-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

Second half

Final leaders

Passing

MSU - Payton Thorne: 15/21, 280 yds., 4 TD

YSU - Demeatric Crenshaw: 10/23, 81 yds., INT

Rushing

MSU - Jordon Simmons: 16 atts., 121 yds.

YSU - Demeatric Crenshaw: 18 atts., 69 yds., TD

Passing

MSU - Jayden Reed: 4 recs., 181 yds., 2 TD

YSU - Luke Hensley: 4 recs., 35 yds.

Second-half highlights

Payton Thorne's Michigan State offense had this one in the bag by halftime, but that didn't stop him from coming up firing in the second half. Here he is throwing his fourth touchdown pass of the day, this time to Jalen Nailor.

For more highlights from today's game, see the first-half highlights below.

Russo turns ball over at goal line, MSU ices victory on defense

Michigan State takes over at the 15, again led by Anthony Russo.

The Spartans march all the way down the field, even converting on fourth down in their own territory, to get inside the Youngstown State 10-yard-line — and that's where disaster strikes.

Russo's fumble is picked up by Youngstown State near the goal line.

Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14 (4:27 4th)

Youngstown State takes over at the 1. London Pearson rushes for 5, then 1, and YSU moves the chains with a 12-yard completion.

Luke Hensley and Pearson combine for another 12-yard pickup on first- and second-down plays, as Pearson rushes for 2 more. YSU slugs its way down the field, eventually coming up short as time expires.

FINAL: Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14

Youngstown State struggling to keep offensive momentum

Youngstown State gets it with 17 seconds left in the third quarter.

Demeatric Crenshaw misses on first down and London Pearson's 4-yard run closes the third quarter.

END 3RD: Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14 

Crenshaw's third-down pass is caught by C.J. Charleston for a gain of 8 to the 25.

Crenshaw and Youngstown State deliberately move the ball downfield, but it's not enough to get more points on the board. They'll punt.

Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14 (11:52 4th)

Anthony Russo takes first snaps in MSU uniform

Michigan State backup quarterback Anthony Russo is making his debut in Green and White. 

After Jordon Simmons rushes for 6, Russo dumps it off to Montorie Foster for a 16-yard gain to the Penguin 48.

Russo misses, setting up a 3-yard run on second down after a false-start penalty. Russo overthrows the ball on third down.

Bryce Baringer's punt is fielded with a fair catch near the 10.

Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14 (0:20 3rd)

Michigan State stumps Penguin offense

Youngstown State takes over at the 25, trailing 42-14.

After a 2-yard run on first down, Demeatric Crenshaw completes a third-down pass to Andrew Ogletree for 8 to move the chains.

Christian Turner gets 2 on first down, London Pearson loses 7 on second down. Crenshaw's 6-yard completion on third down won't be enough.

Jayden Reed calls for a fair catch near the Michigan State 30.

Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14 (2:05 3rd)

Michigan State gets ball back quickly, adds to lead

After the missed Matt Coghlin field goal, YSU takes over at its own 32. After a 3-yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin and two straight incompletions, the Spartans get it back.

Jayden Reed returns the ensuing punt to the Youngstown State 45.

Jordan Simmons is stuffed for no gain, Payton Thorne throws an incompletion. YSU is flagged for a face mask on third down, giving Michigan State a new set of downs at the 28.

Thorne runs for 5, Simmons runs for 7 and Thorne gets the ball to Nailor in the end zone on the next play for a 16-yard passing touchdown.

Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14 (4:32 3rd)

Michigan State misses field goal during first drive of second half

Michigan State takes over at its own 25 after the YSU touchdown.

Jordon Simmons rushes for 8, Jayden Reed hauls in a completion for 18, and the Spartans are already at the 47.

Simmons crosses into YSU territory with an 8-yard run, and Paytone Thorne replicates the yardage with an 8-yard throw to Tyler Hunt on second down, making it first-and-10 at the YSU 37.

After two incompletions and a loss of 2 on the ground, Matt Coghlin trots out to try a 50-yard field goal: It's no good.

Michigan State 35, Youngstown State 14 (7:43 3rd)

Youngstown State opens second half with score

We're back for second-half action in East Lansing. Youngstown State has it, starting at the 25, trailing 35-7.

Demeatric Crenshaw runs for 9 yards on first down and Jaleel McLaughlin moves the chains with a 2-yard run.

McLaughlin rushes for 5 after a first-down incompletion, setting up third-and-5: Crenshaw takes off, picking up the yardage with his feet, but a holding penalty on Michigan State makes it a 10-yard gain to the Michigan State 43.

Crenshaw gets 6 yards after missing the mark on first down, and then pushes ahead for a gain of 2 on third down. It's fourth-and-2 at the 35: Crenshaw keeps again, this time picking up 9 to move the sticks.

Christian Turner takes the first-down handoff for a 26-yard touchdown up the left side.

Michigan State 35, Youngstown State 14 (10:54 3rd)

First half

First-half leaders

Passing

MSU - Payton Thorne: 10/14, 233 yds., 3 TD

YSU - Demeatric Crenshaw: 4/9, 45 yds., INT

Rushing

MSU - Jordon Simmons: 7 atts., 72 yds.

YSU - Demeatric Crenshaw: 11 atts., 32 yds., TD

Receiving

MSU - Jayden Reed: 2 recs., 160 yds., 2 TD

YSU - Jaleel McLaughlin: 1 rec., 30 yds.

MORE: First-half observations: Spartans erupt for big plays vs. Youngstown State

First-half highlights

Feeling a bit of deja vu when watching Michigan State's first drive? Well, there's a reason for that. For a second consecutive week to start the season, the Spartans scored a 75-yard touchdown on the game's first play from scrimmage.

This time it was wide receiver Jayden Reed making the big play.

While much of the first-half attention was given to Reed and a number of Michigan State's other playmakers, Payton Thorne had himself a half. Aside from the three touchdown passes, Thorne also ran in a 10-yard score in the first half.

How 'bout some defense love? We got it right here for you. Xavier Henderson might have made the most athletic play of Michigan State's first half, snagging this one-handed interception to stop the Penguins' momentum after a blocked punt

With Walker and Jordon Simmons dazzling in the Michigan State backfield, Elijah Collins was not to be outdone. After pounding the rock downfield for Michigan State, he catches a screen pass here and crashes into a defender on his way to the end zone in the second quarter.

Michigan State adds to lead before halftime

Michigan State takes over at the 32 after a nice return from Jayden Reed, leading by 21 with a little over 4 minutes to go in the second quarter.

Jordon Simmons rushes for 8 yards on first down and Jalen Nailor moves the chains with a 5-yard reception.

Simmons gets it on the next play and gets to the Youngstown 43, a gain of 12.

Simmons rushes for 5 and Thorne takes a shot on second down: It's a beautiful throw to Jalen Nailor, but he can't hold on while going to the ground, and it's third-and-5. Walker converts with a 9-yard run.

Malik Carr picks up 8 yards on first down with a reception, and Walker is dropped for a 2-yard loss on second down. Walker picks up 13 of the 4 yards needed to move the chains, setting up first-and-goal at the 10.

Thorne rushes for 4, and on the next play, Walker carries the entire city of Youngstown on his back while fighting for extra yards and crossing the goal line for a Michigan State touchdown.

Michigan State 35, Youngstown State 7 (0:17 2nd)

Youngstown State gets on the board in second quarter

Youngstown State takes over at its own 25, trailing by 28 with just over 10 minutes to go in the half.

Jaleel McLaughlin rushes for 1 and 6 yards, and YSU picks up the first down with a 4-yard completion to C.J. Charleston.

Crenshaw runs for 1, then 6 like the set of downs before it, and then hits McLaughlin for a 30-yard completion to the Michigan State 27.

McLaughlin goes for 8, and then Crenshaw goes for 4. It's another first down, this time at the MSU 15.

Crenshaw is stuffed for no gain after a 6-yard run by Christian Turner, bringing up third-and-4: McLaughlin is stopped a yard short. Crenshaw keeps on fourth-and-1 and fights all the way into the end zone for a Youngstown State touchdown.

Michigan State 28, Youngstown State 7 (4:10 2nd)

Collins gets in on big-play magic with 20-yard touchdown

Michigan State takes over at its own 48 with a 21-0 lead in the second quarter.

Oh hey, an Elijah Collins appears. He runs for 9 and 16 yards to move the Spartans into Youngstown State territory at the 27.

Collins then picks up 7 yards on first down, and on the next play, won't be denied after catching a screen: He rumbles, tumbles and shakes off a defender at the goal line on his way to a 20-yard score that puts the Spartans up big.

Michigan State 28, Youngstown State 0 (10:12 2nd)

Penguins go 3-and-out after Reed touchdown

Youngstown State takes over at its own 13. Demeatric Crenshaw runs for 5 yards and then throws an incompletion, bringing up third-and-5: Crenshaw's throw is low and misses the mark.

The punt bounces and goes out of bounds at the Michigan State 48

Michigan State 21, Youngstown State 0 (12:00 2nd)

Michigan State uses big play to score again

Michigan State takes over at its own 2 after the interception, with a 14-0 lead early in the second.

Jordon Simmons has rushes of 5 and 8 yards to give MSU a first down at the 15.

Payton Thorne's got it from here: He hits Jayden Reed for a monster shot over the middle that goes for 85 yards and a Michigan State touchdown.

Michigan State 21, Northwestern 0 (12:52 2nd)

YSU throws interception after blocking punt

YSU takes over at Michigan State's 46 after the blocked punt.

Christian Turner is stuffed for no gain on first down, bringing the first quarter to a close.

END 1ST: Michigan State 14, Youngstown State 0 

Samuel Surin rushes for a yard on second down, and Turner moves the chains in a big way with a 16-yard pickup on third down. 

Demeatric Crenshaw takes a deep shot on the next play, but it's intercepted by Xavier Henderson. It'll be Michigan State ball at the 2.

Michigan State 14, Youngstown State 0 (13:59 2nd)

MSU stumbles, has punt blocked to end first quarter

Michigan State takes over at the 20, with a 14-point lead in the first quarter.

Jordon Simmons takes off for a gain of 24 on first down to the Michigan State 44.

A holding penalty makes it first-and-20 at the 34, which Simmons remedies with a 9-yard run. And then: another holding penalty. On second-and-21, Payton Thorne completes for 7 to Jalen Nailor and then completes for 7 more to Tre Mosley.

Youngstown State blocks the Bryce Baringer punt and will take over at the Michigan State 46.

Michigan State 14, Youngstown State 0 (0:37 1st)

MSU's Pietrowski makes YSU pay with third-down sack

YSU takes over at its own 25, trailing 14-0.

Demeatric Crenshaw's first-down pass is complete for 5. He then runs for 4, and Jaleel McLaughlin picks up the new set of downs with a 2-yard run.

Crenshaw's first-down pass is almost intercepted. Michigan State is offsides ahead of the next play and YSU converts second-and-5 with a 6-yard completion.

Crenshaw runs for 8 yards on first down to the MSU 45. McLaughlin loses 5 yards on second down. Jeff Pietrowski sacks Crenshaw on third down to force a punt.

Michigan State 14, Youngstown State 0 (3:33 1st)

Michigan State goes up 14-0 in first quarter

Michigan State takes over at its own 42 with a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Kenneth Walker dazzles with a reversal of field on first down, and gets to the YSU 34 for a gain of 24 yards.

Payton Thorne hits Tyler Hunt for an 8-yard pickup then gets it to Jalen Nailor for a gain of 11. That'll make it first-and-10 at the 15.

Walker runs for 5 yards, and after a second-down incompletion, Thorne keeps the ball on a read option, gets to the edge, and scores for Michigan State on a 10-yard run.

Michigan State 14, Youngstown State 0 (7:54 1st)

Youngstown State struggling to get offense going

YSU takes over at the 4, and gets 4 on first down with a run by Jaleel McLaughlin. A false-start penalty will make it second-and-11 at the 3. Demeatric Crenshaw takes off for a 7-yard run to make it third-and-5: a tight throw over the middle is broken up.

Michigan State is flagged for holding on the punt return, meaning the Spartans will take over at their own 42.

Michigan State 7, Youngstown State 0 (9:55 1st)

MSU flops quickly on second offensive drive

Kenneth Walker rushes for 2 yards on first down, and after two straight incompletions to Jalen Nailor, the Spartans come up empty almost as quickly as they scored big on the previous drive. They'll punt.

Bryce Baringer's punt is downed at the 4.

Michigan State 7, Youngstown State 0 (11:43 1st)

MSU defense forces 3-and-out to start game

Demeatric Crenshaw is sacked by Xavier Henderson on first down, a loss of 4. Jaleel McLaughlin gets 5 yards back, but YSU is flagged for a false start before a third-down run that goes absolutely nowhere. The Penguins will punt.

Jayden Reed gets just past the Michigan State 40 on his punt return.

Michigan State 7, Youngstown State 0 (12:46 1st)

Michigan State receiver Jayden Reed scored on a 75-yard pass play to open Saturday's game against Youngstown State.

MSU scores on first play of game for second week in a row

For the second week in a row, Michigan State's offense will get the first looks of the game, starting at the 25.

And for the second week in a row, Michigan Sate's offense gets into the end zone on the first play of the game. Kenneth Walker gets the handoff, pitches it back to Payton Thorne on the flea-flicker, and Thorne winds up for a deep shot to Jayden Reed that'll put the Spartans up a touchdown.

Michigan State 7, Youngstown State 0 (14:50 1st)

Pregame

Michigan State is seeking its second straight victory to open the season when it plays host to Youngstown State on Saturday.

The Spartans (1-0) opened the season with a 38-21 victory at Northwestern, on the legs of transfer running back Kenneth Walker III, who rumbled for 264 yards and four touchdowns en route to Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Youngstown State also is off to a 1-0 start, having defeated Incarnate Word, 44-41, in overtime, behind 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Jaleel McLaughlin and three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing) from quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw.

Youngstown State at Michigan State

► Kickoff: Noon Saturday, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing

► TV/radio: Big Ten Network/760

► Records: Youngstown State 1-0; Michigan State 1-0

► Line: Michigan State by 19½