MSU pounds Central; U-M & WMU win big; Eastern falls

For a second straight week, Michigan State held an opponent without an offensive touchdown. Visiting Mt. Pleasant for the first time ever and unaffected by Central Michigan's new black uniforms, the 11th-ranked Spartans destroyed the Chippewas, 41-7. William Gholston had a sack as MSU intercepted two passes and stopped CMU three times on fourth down. Andrew Maxwell threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns for the Spartans, who scored 10 points in the final minute of the first half to take a 24-0 lead.




Denard Robinson ran for 218 yards & two touchdowns and threw for 208 & two scores as the #19 Michigan Wolverines hung on to defeat the Air Force Falcons in a close one, 31-25 at the "Big House". Robinson became the first player in major college football to have at least 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in three games. Denard scored on a 79-yard run in the first quarter and a 58-yard score in the second half. Robinson also was effective passing as he completed 14 of 25 passes for 208 yards.




The Western Michigan Broncos blew open a 14-14 game in the second quarter and rolled to a 52-21 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers in their home-opener in Kalamazoo. The Broncos did not allow Eastern Illinois a first down in the second quarter and rattled off four touchdowns of their own, taking a 42-14 lead into halftime. True freshman wideout Jamie Wilson hauled in two touchdowns and made 11 receptions for 154 yards. It was the most reception yards for a freshman since Corey Alston with 263 yards in 1997.




The Eastern Michigan Eagles saw their 2012 home opener spoiled by the Illinois State Redbirds, 31-14, in a non-conference game. EMU could not overcome three interceptions, two lost fumbles and nine penalties. Senior quarterback Alex Gillett completed 11-of-25 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. Gillett was also EMU's leading rusher with 49 yards on 13 carries, including a five-yard touchdown run.