At the end of the night, Michigan State did pull out the win and come November, if a stellar record is still in tact no one is even going to be talking about how the Spartans needed the entire game to close out Utah State.
With that in mind, lets take a look why Michigan State came out on top when the clock read all zero’s Friday night.
Connor Heyward
Despite the porous offensive line, Connor Heyward had himself a productive night on the ground as LJ Scott had a tough time getting going.
Off the bench, the sophomore back accumulated just 42-yards but was relied upon to get two touchdowns including the game winner with just two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Aside from his ability to get into the end zone, Heyward was tough to bring down and provided a much needed spark to a Michigan State offense that was in danger at times of Jim Harbaughing things up against the Aggies.
Not that LJ Scott is in danger of losing his job, it’s only week one for Christ’s sake but Heyward’s performance Friday may show that the Spartans have a fall back option if Scott falters at another other point.
Brian Lewerke
If the Spartans were going to be successful in 2018 junior quarterback Brian Lewerke was going to have to take that next step, and Friday night it certainly looked like he did. Completing 22-of-33 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns, Lewerke looked poised in the pocket despite the problems of the offensive line. He hit receivers in stride, connected with open targets 20-yards down field and used his legs when necessary with 31 yards on the ground.
The Michigan State air attack
If Brian Lewerke was managing to hit guys downfield you had to assume the wide receivers also had a big night.
In total the Spartans had four guys with 50 or more receiving yards which included a diving 30-yard catch along the sidelines by Felton Davis III which helped to eventually set up the Heyward 13-yard game winning touchdown.
Davis III finished the game with 69-yards and a touchdown reception in the first half.
Meanwhile, Cody White had 70-yards and a touchdown while Darrell Stewart Jr. had five receptions for 55-yards.