Recap: MSU has no answers for Penix, Washington in 41-7 blowout
Maybe considering the events that surrounded the Michigan State program throughout the week, and the opponent the Spartans were facing, a result like this could have been seen a mile away.
Still, no one could have possibly seen this, a 41-7 home blowout against No. 8 Washington that never truly felt close. The first game under interim head coach Harlon Barnett saw a Spartan team that looked disjointed and lost against one of the best programs in the nation that was led by a Heisman hopeful and an offense that looked almost unstoppable at times.
Michael Penix Jr. led that Huskies offense with a 27-for-35 passing performance for 473 yards and four first-half touchdowns that created a 35-0 halftime score. Penix and his receivers pulled off big play after big play, having scoring drives of five plays or less. Two Washington players went over 100 yards receiving, with Rome Odunze posting 180 and Ja'Lynn Polk had 118 with a touchdown. And don't forget about tight end Jack Westover, who only had 37 yards receiving but caught three touchdown passes.
As for Michigan State, it was a lackluster performance that could be somewhat understood due to the shadow that Mel Tucker's suspension created over the program all week. Noah Kim had his worst performance of the season, going 12-for-31 passing for 136 yards and an interception, constantly overthrowing receivers and never truly being able to find a rhythm. The run game didn't help, with Nathan Carter being held to just 48 yards on 17 carries. And a pass rush that had 10½ sacks throughout the first two games was unable to get to Penix all game, leading to MSU being outgained by Washington 713-261.
After a week like this, all the program can do is look ahead to its first conference game of the season against Maryland.
Spartans dominated by Huskies, lose in 41-7 blowout
The Huskies are continuing to chew clock while showing they can still move the ball, as Rogers runs for 15 yards followed by Richard Newton running for 20 yards in two plays. Another Spartan is injured as Dre Butler walks off holding his shoulder. Rogers gains 6 yards on the ground on fourth-and-1, allowing Washington to keep possession and drain the clock. Newton finishes it off with an eight yard run, and the Huskies kneel the ball with 30 seconds left on the final play. (End of game)
Hopper injured, Houser scores to end shutout
The Spartans are now on a mission to avoid the blowout, leaning on Carter on consecutive plays to keep the chains moving. Simmons subs in for third-and-1, bouncing and spinning his way forward for a first down. The biggest play on offense for the Spartans finally happens, as Houser finds Fitzpatrick open before getting caught at Washington's 13-yard line, a 61-yard play and Michigan State's first time in the red zone. On second-and-16, Houser completes a pass to Tyneil Hopper for a first down, but Hopper is injured on the play. Hopper has to be carted off with a boot on his right leg. Houser finished the job himself with a 6-yard touchdown run, ending the shutout on a 99-yard drive. (5:48)
Actually, if this was Madden, Washington would've just simmed to the end of the game, but in reality we still have over 12 minutes left to play. And Morris is still playing hard, completing a pass to Josh Cuevas for a huge 57-yard gain. But in the biggest break the Spartan defense has seen all game, Taeshau Lyons can't catch the ball and it bounces up in the air for a Jaden Mangham interception. (11:13)
Katin Houser now enters the game for Michigan State, but a different quarterback leaves to the same result for the Spartans in a quick three-and-out that had two drops from receivers. Huskies get the ball back on their own 20. (12:31)
(Start of 4th Quarter) Washington is still content with running the ball, even on third-and-11, as they go for it on fourth-and-6 but Morris has to throw the ball away in just the third drive for the Huskies that did not result in points. (13:26)
Penix exits game with one quarter left in 41-0 blowout
Penix Jr. has finally exited the game after an impressive performance, with Washington going to backup QB Dylan Morris. If this was Madden, the Huskies would've turned chew clock mode on, as they have gone to the run game. Four straight runs create a gain of 28 yards, and Morris converts on third-and-5 to keep the drive going. Rogers gets tackled 1 yard behind the line on the last play of the third quarter. (End of 3rd Quarter)
Michigan State is trying to find some life, any life, but can't on this drive. Kim and the receivers look out-of-sync as Kim is now 12-for-31 with 136 yards passing, including two incompletions on this drive as Washington receives the ball again. (2:57)
Michigan State mistakes lead to another FG
Michael Penix Jr. is still in the game as Tybo Rogers gains 5 yards on first down as an offensive lineman is injured on the play. The Spartans could have held the Huskies to their first three-and-out of the game, but they are flagged on an illegal substitution that keeps Washington on the field. Washington takes advantage with Penix connecting with Odunze for 14 yards. The Spartans are called for another illegal substitution, but Washington will decline the penalty so Odunze's 39-yard reception can stand. With the Huskies at the MSU 16, the defense and a personal foul penalty force the second field goal of the game. (3:45).
On the ensuing kickoff, the ball seems to be going out of bounds before Henry recovers it and the ball is spotted at the Spartans' own 1-yard line. After review, the call is overturned and Michigan State starts on their own 35. The Spartans lose yards on first down, then Kim has to throw it away on second down. Kim finds Carr down the middle on third down to keep the drive going, but follows that up with a false start on the next first down. Michigan State gains only two yards after the penalty, punting the ball back to Washington at their own 16-yard line. (8:33)
Spartans hold Huskies to three points, down 38-0 in third quarter
(Start of 3rd Quarter) Washington receives the ball to start the second half and returns it to their own 30. A first down run goes nowhere, but Penix and Odunze connect for 14 yards and a first down. Dillon Johnson takes a second-and-3 run for 45 yards to make it first-and-goal at the 5 for the Huskies. The Spartans get run stops on first and second down, then force an incompletion on third down to bring out Washington's field goal unit for an easy 21-yard kick as Washington adds three more points to their lead. (10:42)
Penix, Washington offense dominating as Spartans find themselves in 35-0 hole at halftime
Washington fakes a spike on first-and-10 for a 2-yard rush as the Huskies are still looking to score with under a minute remaining. Penix finds McMillan for 34 yards, but he got hurt on the play as Washington moves to MSU's 30-yard line. Odunze takes a reception 23 yards and goes out of bounds at the 7 yard line, and Washington ends the drive with Westover's third touchdown reception with six seconds left. Carter gains nine yards on the last play of the half. (End of 2nd Quarter)
The Spartans are looking for some type of momentum in their final drive of the first half. Kim completes back-to-back passes to Montorie Foster Jr. for 20 and 30 yards, respectfully. Then, Kim throws it quick under pressure to Glover near the sideline for a 6-yard gain. Washington showing blitz makes Michigan State flinch, causing a false start penalty. Kim yet again throws it over the head of a receiver on third down, but with nothing to lose, the Spartans go for it on fourth down and after an offsides penalty on Washington, are unable to convert. (0:41)
Penix makes a bad throw on first down, but the Spartans are called for pass interference as the Huskies gain 15 yards due to the penalty. The Spartans finally make Penix scramble out of the pocket and force him to throw the ball away, but on second down he finds Polk again for an impressive 30-yard contested catch against Angelo Grose, but then Polk is called for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalty doesn't stop Washington's momentum, as Penix completes a pass to Will Nixon for 27 yards. A 28-yard screen pass for another Washington touchdown is called back due to holding, but that doesn't stop Washington from calling another screen play, but this one only goes for 4 yards. Another false start is called on Washington, and Grose is finally able to stop Polk, forcing an incompletion on second-and-20. Penix thought about scrambling on third-and-20, but decides to go deep to a double-covered Odunze for an incompletion, as Michigan State forces Washington to punt for just the second time so far. (1:50)
The Spartans are called for holding on what was Henry's best return of the game, now having to start on their own 12-yard line as Michigan State looks completely out-of-sync. On first down, Mosley drops the catch on a comeback route but makes up for it on a second down catch for 6 yards. Kim finds Carr for a first down reception, then half the Huskies defense tries to stop Carr and it goes too far as Washington is called for unnecessary roughness. Now first-and-10 from their own 44, Kim throws it incomplete, then finds Carter for a short 2-yard reception. Kim is pressured by Washington on third down, which forces him to overthrow his receiver as the Spartans punt the ball away again. And in another unforced error, Justin White tackles McMillian after a fair catch signal as Washington takes over. (4:45)
Penix, Washington offense too much for MSU defense
Washington and Penix continue where they started off, beginning their drive at the Spartans' 48. Penix finds McMillan for 16 yards, then finds Bernard for another 12. McMillan gets another reception for 7 yards, then Penix finds Westover on the tight end wheel route for Penix's third touchdown pass in the first half. (6:49)
Michigan State is currently on the ropes with just 10 minutes left in the first half. Simmons runs for 1 yard as offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark is taken off the field for an injury. Kim uses his legs for a 5 yard gain on second down, then finds Mosley on third down for a would-be first down that is called back due to an illegal formation penalty, along with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Alante Brown that creates third-and-17. Simmons gains 4 yards on another stalled drive for the Spartans. (8:30)
Penix, Washington offense goes 95 yards in just three plays, Huskies now up 21-0 against Spartans
Penix yet again goes deep on first down, and it works again as Rome Odunze gains 50 yards. Spartan defensive back Charles Brantley was injured on the play. Penix finds Ja'Lynn Polk down the middle for a 15-yard gain and another first down. And Washington ends the drive with some luck, as the pass by Penix is tipped by Michigan State, but it falls right into the hands of Polk who takes it all the way for another touchdown, as Washington goes up three possessions with over 10 minutes left in the half. (10:44)
(Start of 2nd Quarter) Glover makes a tough catch on second down, just getting his foot down before falling out of bounds for a first down, then Carter makes patient moves for a 9-yard run. The Spartans push Kim forward on a third-and-1 QB sneak to keep the Spartans' best drive so far alive, then Kim goes deep on a first down play action but goes over the head of Christian Fitzpatrick. Kim again overthrows his receiver on second down, then is sacked again by Tupuola-Fetui for a 7-yard loss. The ball is punted back to Washington at their own 5-yard line. (12:23)
MSU in early 14-0 hole against Washington
Michigan State now drives again to rebound from their turnover, starting from their own 25. Carter only gains 1 yard on first down, then Kim finds Henry down the sideline for an 16-yard gain and a first down. Jordon Simmons gains two yards for the final play of the first quarter. (End of 1st Quarter)
Kim throws first INT of season, leads to Washington TD
Penix yet again goes deep on first down against Michigan State and finds Ja'Lynn Polk for a 38-yard reception to create first-and-goal, then Penix finds tight end Jack Westover for the touchdown as Washington takes advantage of the turnover to go up two scores. (1:14)
Michigan State starts on their own 26-yard line. Kim goes deep on first down as the pass falls incomplete for Jaron Glover, but the Spartans force a pass interference call. On third-and-7, Kim is intercepted by Mishael Powell on a slant route for Kim's first interception this season. (2:21)
Washington starts on their own 17 as Penix finds his receivers for consecutive catches to move the chains. The pitch to Johnson gains 6 yards on first down, then gains 5 for another Washington first down. Penix finds Johnson for what would be another first down, but he had too much time in the pocket due to a holding call on the offensive tackle, creating first-and-20. Will Nixon runs for 4 yards, then takes a pass 11 yards to force third-and-6 as Washington is called for a false start penalty for third-and-10. More whistles blow for Washington's first timeout as they try to get things together in this penalty-ridden drive. (3:04) On third-and-10 from their own 44, the pass goes through the hands of McMillan and is almost intercepted. After another false start from the Huskies, they punt it back to the Spartans. (2:50)
Henry fair-catches the kickoff as the Spartans start again on their own 25. Carter gains only 1 yard on the first down run, as Kim makes a quick throw to a diving Mosley for 6 yards, as the pass is under review to see if the ball hit the ground and if Mosley was able to control the ball and gain possession. After review, the call stands as a completed catch but the Spartans commit a false start to turn third-and-3 into third-and-8. Malik Carr catches the ball 3 yards short of the sticks as MSU punts again in back-to-back quick drives. This punt goes 52 yards as the Huskies will take over again. (7:31)
Washington strikes first, up 7-0 early against Spartans
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. gets things started early finding a wide open Jalen McMillan for a huge 39-yard gain into Michigan State territory. Dillion Johnson then gains 9 yards on first down, then follows it up with another six yards for first-and-goal at the MSU 1. Penix then gives it up to former Spartan Germie Bernard on a sweep for an easy touchdown as Washington scores in just four plays. (9:51)
(Start of 1st Quarter) Michigan State moves up from their own 17-yard line up to the 22 thanks to a holding penalty on the defense. Noah Kim finds Tre Mosley on second-and-11 for 9 yards, then Nathan Carter runs for 4 yards to move the chains. Kim is sacked by Zion Tupuola-Fetui for a loss of 8 yards on first down, then Carter is unable to catch the ball on a second down screen pass. Kim throws another incomplete pass on third down, forcing MSU to punt the ball with an extra 5 yards added due to an illegal substitution penalty. Fair catch is signaled at Washington's own 45-yard line for their first possession of the game. (12:02)
Kickoff
Michigan State will receive the kickoff to begin the game. Returner Tyrell Henry brings it back to the Spartans' 17-yard line.
Pregame
Amidst a tumultuous week in the program, Michigan State braces to face a tough test against No. 8 Washington on Saturday.
After a 45-14 victory against Richmond last weekend, there were allegations accusing Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker of sexual harassment. The program announced Sunday that Tucker would be suspended without pay due to the report and that secondary coach Harlon Barnett will serve as interim head coach.
With Barnett now in charge, the Spartans will face one of the top-ranked teams in the Pac-12. The Huskies have outscored their first two opponents, 99-29, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has already thrown for 859 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception.
Michigan State will need players like Noah Kim and Nate Carter to keep up with Washington's high-scoring offense. Kim has thrown for 571 yards and five touchdowns in the Spartans' first two games, while Carter has rushed for 224 yards and four scores.
Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Kameron Goodwill.
Washington at Michigan State
▶ Kickoff: 5 p.m. Saturday, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
▶ TV/radio: Peacock/760
▶ Line: Washington by 14
▶ Records: No. 8 Washington 2-0; Michigan State 2-0
▶ Series: Washington leads, 3-1 (Last game: Sept. 17, 2022 — (at) Washington 39, Michigan State 28)