Did WMU score on a kick return to open the second half?
Spartans crush Broncos, need one win for bowl
Eric Lacy / The Detroit News
East Lansing --A season that began with lofty expectations for Michigan State might at least be salvaged with a bowl game appearance.
The Spartans (5-5) got a step closer to bowl eligibility with a 49-14 demolition of Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
"It would set the standard for how this program should be run," defensive end Trevor Anderson said of a bowl's significance.
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With two games left, the quest continues for
MSU's third straight postseason spot. The Spartans need to win once more to have a shot. And with another performance like Saturday --
MSU amassed a season-high 602 yards of offense -- that shouldn't be a problem.
By halftime, WMU (4-6) had punted seven times and saw quarterback Tim Hiller complete just 8 of 21 passes.
Hiller also was sacked three times and never gained control of a pro-style attack that went 0-of-13 on third-down conversions.
Even though the game resulted in a second straight loss, the environment was quite different for WMU than last week's 26-14 setback at Kent State.
"These guys were playing in front of only one or two thousand people last week and today played in front of 70,000," coach Bill Cubit said. "I just think we weren't prepared to play in a Big Ten atmosphere."
MSU took advantage of WMU's problems early as little-used running back Ashton Leggett had 100 yards and three of his career-high four touchdowns on his first eight carries. He finished with 110 yards on 14 attempts for the Spartans' first 100-yard rushing game in nearly a year.
Coming in, Leggett had just one carry for the season.
"Just be patient and your time will come," Dantonio said. "Like Coach (George) Perles used to say, 'Work hard, keep your mouth shut and good things will happen.' "
Offensive dominance wasn't limited to the running game.
Kirk Cousins completed 10 of his first 11 passes, including scoring tosses of 13 and 48 yards to Garrett Celek and Keshawn Martin in the first and second quarters.
Cousins finished 22-of-25 for 353 yards and two touchdowns. His primary target was Blair White, who had six receptions for 70 yards.
White was one of six Spartans with at least two catches.
"The ball was coming off my hands pretty well," Cousins said.
Keith Nichol received some reps in each half, too, and threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Dion Sims.
Brandon West gave WMU one of its few positive moments, taking the opening kickoff of the second half 80 yards for a score.
The Broncos defense made two consecutive series stops to start the third quarter, but couldn't get any closer than 35-14 after a Hiller touchdown pass.
Hiller found Blake Hammond for 12 yards to start the fourth quarter, but struggled to get into a rhythm the entire game. He was just 15-of-37 for 111 yards.
MSU visits Purdue next Saturday before ending the regular season at home against Penn State on Nov. 21.
"We'll find out who we are as men," Cousins said. "Not once have I believed this team has stopped fighting."
elacy@detnews.com
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