Michigan State defeated No. 3 Ohio State, losing for the second straight year

EAST LANSING – It was another lopsided result in the series as Ohio State extended its winning streak to nine against Michigan State.

Unlike most of these previous meetings, the Spartans (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) bounced back but were unable to overcome critical mistakes early and lost 38-7 to the No. 3 Buckeyes (4-0, 1-1). 0). on Saturday evening.

Two fumbles in the red zone and a missed interception in the end zone were extremely costly as Michigan State entered halftime trailing by 17 points while Ohio State scored 28 points to secure the victory.

Aidan Chiles started well, completing nine of his first ten throws, but continues to be plagued by turnovers. He finished 13-for-19 passing for 167 yards, a touchdown and an interception, as well as a fumble before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter as the Spartans lost for the second straight year.

Chiles also wasn't helped by a running game that continued to disappoint, as Nathan Carter and Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams combined for 62 yards on 15 carries. Receiver Jaron Glover returned after missing the last two games due to injury and had four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Ohio State's Will Howard threw for 244 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while Emeka Egbuka led the team with seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Star freshman Jeremiah Smith had another outstanding performance with five grabs for 83 yards and a score as well as a 19-yard touchdown run.

A hard-fought first half was followed by a one-sided second half as the Buckeyes claimed their fourth straight win and opened the season as substitutes on both sides finished the night.

Ohio State got the ball early in the game and moved down the field with short throws, while Howard was 7 of 7 on the first possession. A personal foul put the Buckeyes in the red zone and the Spartans were able to force a 30-yard field goal from Jayden Fielding. This ended a streak of four straight games in which Ohio State scored a touchdown on its first possession against Michigan State.

The Spartans managed an impressive first possession before it stalled as an aggressive move didn't work. Jonathan Smith kept his offense on the field, but Chiles was thwarted on fourth-and-1. Ohio State followed with a 14-play, 80-yard drive, and after Malik Spencer threw an interception in the end zone, Howard hit Gee Scott for a 3-yard touchdown to lead by 10 less than a minute into the second :0 quarter.

Michigan State missed another scoring opportunity when tight end Jack Velling fumbled into the red zone after a 26-yard pickup. An interception by linebacker Jordan Turner returning to the Ohio State 12 was followed one snap later by Chiles finding Glover for a touchdown as the Spartans got within three points.

Michigan State continued to stall after a 19-yard touchdown run on a reverse to Jeremiah Smith that gave the Buckeyes a 17-7 lead. Chiles moved the Spartans down the field and back into the red zone before disobeying a play where the officials missed a clear facemask the quarterback took from defensive tackle Tywone Malone.

The loud boos from fans watching replays of the botched call were repeated as the officials nullified a fumble by TreVeyon Henderson. Although the Spartans made that stop, they followed with their first punt, and then true freshman and former five-star recruit Smith made two ridiculous one-handed catches in the two-minute practice. The second was a 17-yard touchdown by backup Devin Brown after Howard was injured by a hit from Turner. That gave the Buckeyes a 24-7 lead with 29 seconds left in the quarter that took them to the locker room.

Howard returned after halftime and connected with Egbuka for a 33-yard touchdown on the fourth and fifth. An interception by Chiles was followed by a 6-yard score by Howard, sending even more green-and-white-clad fans heading for the exit late in the third quarter.

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