Eastern Michigan offensive struggles continue in 35-7 loss at Michigan State

Michigan State Spartans has tormented Eastern Michigan since the 1800s.

In 1898, Michigan Agricultural (now Michigan State) defeated Michigan State Normal (now Eastern Michigan) twice in a single season. Centuries later, nothing has changed.

Michigan State extended its series lead over Eastern Michigan to 11-0 after a seamless 35-7 victory in East Lansing on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans extended their win streak over MAC teams to 19, a prosperous stretch which dates back to 2009.

Eastern Michigan entered this matchup fresh off a heartbreaking loss to San Jose State, where the offense malfunctioned in the second half, producing a combined 45 yards on its final seven possessions with five punts, an interception, and a turnover on downs. Those offensive woes only continued in East Lansing.

Excluding the 11-second final possession of the first half, Eastern Michigan had eight drives. Six resulted in punts, one in a fumble, and only one in points. The Eagles were held scoreless for the final 30 minutes of action, and through three games this season, they've only notched three offensive touchdowns and zero field goals in second halves.

Former Michigan State starting quarterback Noah Kim contributed the Eagles' lone touchdown Saturday, punching in a 4-yard rushing score in the second quarter. That play capped Eastern Michigan's only drive all game which traveled inside the Michigan State 30-yard line.

Eastern Michigan was more than doubled by Michigan State in the yardage department, 472-219. The Spartan offense, one week after becoming the first team to score 30 on Toledo since 2024, had no issue moving the ball against the Eagles. Eastern Michigan's run defense showed vast improvement in Weeks 0 and 1, but Michigan State undid that progress with 258 rushing yards, led by Cam Edwards' game-high 152. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic added 170 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception in an efficient offensive day for the Spartans. Outside of their first drive, the Spartans got inside the Eastern Michigan 40-yard line on every single possession.

The Eagles struggled mightily at the line of scrimmage, as defensive tackle Eli Coenen caused routine disruption. The Illinios transfer produced two of Michigan State's four sacks, which repeatedly moved Eastern Michigan's struggling offense backward.

Michigan State (2-0, 0-0 MAC) is done picking on the MAC this year after opening the Pat Fitzgerald era with home wins over Toledo and Eastern Michigan. The Spartans will be underdogs for the first time during Fitzgerald's reign next week, when they travel to South Bend to battle No. 3 Notre Dame.

Eastern Michigan (1-2, 1-0 MAC) isn't done with Big Ten opponents quite yet. The Eagles leave the state for the first time this season in Week 3, when they look for a bounce-back against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium.