Alessio Milivojevic had a hand in six of Michigan State's eight explosive plays
The real story of Michigan State's win, in the numbers that matter.
Michigan State tops Toledo, 30-20 at Spartan Stadium. Michigan State was the steadier side of a 10-point win.
One team finished its drives
Michigan State scored on 64% of its drives to Toledo's 20%, led by Alessio Milivojevic (6 pts), Rodney Bullard Jr. (6 pts) and Camryn Edwards (6 pts). Michigan State won the turnover battle 0-1: Kenny Soares Jr. (1 INT, 1 PBU, 0.5 tackles). That's what carried Michigan State.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
Who carried it
Alessio Milivojevic threw for 247 yards on 34 attempts with one touchdown and lost 5 yards on six carries, with that score from inside the 20, five third-down conversions and a hand in six plays of 15 yards or more. Rodney Bullard Jr. caught seven passes for 90 yards, one of them for a touchdown — that score from inside the 20 and a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. Camryn Edwards ran 27 times for 98 yards and one score and caught two passes for 7 yards, including that score from inside the 20 and two third-down conversions. For Toledo, John Alan Richter threw for 196 yards on 21 attempts with two touchdowns and lost 19 yards on four carries, including a hand in five plays of 15 yards or more. Adjatay Dabbs caught four passes for 101 yards, two of them for touchdowns. Connor Walendzak ran seven times for 76 yards and one score and caught three passes for 18 yards. Kenny Soares Jr. was the disruptive one for Michigan State: 1 INT, 1 PBU, 0.5 tackles.
Where it swung
The game turned on a handful of snaps. John Alan Richter's 60-yard throw to Adjatay Dabbs for a touchdown on 2nd-and-17 at Q2 07:50. Then John Alan Richter's 21-yard throw to Daryl Barnett Jr. on 2nd-and-21 at Q3 08:57. Later, Connor Walendzak's 71-yard run for a touchdown on 2nd-and-10 at Q4 13:47.
The way it played out
Michigan State struck first through Camryn Edwards, led 19-7 at the half and the final points came on a late field goal by Liam Boyd.
The disruptive ones
Three names to keep: Kenny Soares Jr. (1 INT, 1 PBU, 0.5 tackles) for Michigan State, Tre Bell (1 sack, 2 TFLs, 1 PBU, 3 tackles) for Michigan State and Eli Coenen (1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 PBU, 2.5 tackles) for Michigan State. 2 of Toledo's 3 sacks came from the defensive line, which is how this defense has generated pressure since 2017.
How it graded
The closing line had Michigan State -10.0. It landed on a push. The total was 48.5; the teams combined for 50, an over. John Alan Richter accounted for 12 of Toledo's points.
Where it leaves them
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
Nothing fluky here — Michigan State earned it, and Toledo knows where it slipped.
Discussion
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