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Michigan State first-half observations: Spartans erupt for big plays vs. Youngstown State

Matt Charboneau of The Detroit News offers his observations from the first half of Michigan State's game Saturday against Youngstown State.

Fast start

Apparently the precedent has been set — Michigan State will start every game with a 75-yard scoring play. OK, maybe that’s a tad unrealistic, but for the second straight week, the Spartans scored on the opening play of the game. This time it was a pass from Payton Thorne to Jayden Reed, giving Michigan State a 7-0 lead just 10 seconds into the game in what would become a 35-7 halftime advantage.