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BGREEN |
MICHST |
After offseason stroke, Smith scores TD in Michigan St. win
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Tyson Smith was experiencing headaches toward the end of November and found out he'd had a stroke.
Needless to say, his football future was in serious jeopardy.
''Around April, May, I got my memory back,'' Smith said. ''Around June - before I got cleared - I got my confidence back.''
Smith was not only cleared to play in Michigan State's season opener Saturday, he scored a touchdown on an interception return in the most heartwarming moment of his team's 35-10 victory over Bowling Green. Brian Lewerke threw three touchdown passes for the Spartans, who put the game away in the second half.
Smith, a junior, said he thought he had about a 30 percent chance of playing again after his health issues. Coach Mark Dantonio suggested the situation may have been even less promising.
''Here's a guy that was basically ruled out,'' Dantonio said. ''Sort of just kept getting a little bit better, and finally found people that said, `OK, you can play.' So he really never got back with us until August.''
Smith said one of the toughest parts of his recovery was his memory problems. He'd come up with ways to try to test it.
''I would just put my wallet here and see if I could remember it,'' he said. ''Or think of a color one day, put it in my phone a week, see if I can remember that color.''
With the Spartans comfortably ahead in the third quarter Saturday, Smith intercepted a pass and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-3. Quite a moment for somebody who was just happy to be playing.
''The feeling when I just stepped on the field was more than football, it was a blessing to see that I'm still me,'' Smith said. ''I felt normal - didn't know for sure if I was normal.''
Lewerke, who has taken over as the starting quarterback as a sophomore, went 22 of 33 for 250 yards and also made some crucial plays with his legs, running for a team-high 69 yards.
Michigan State and Bowling Green are both trying to rebound from losing seasons in 2016. The Spartans went 3-9 and then had four players dismissed amid sexual assault allegations during a tumultuous offseason , so they entered this season with a lot of work to do to return to respectability both on and off the field.
Michigan State marched down the field on the first drive of the game, only for LJ Scott to fumble the ball away near the goal line. The Spartans lost another fumble near midfield later in the quarter, but they finally took a 7-3 lead early in the second on a 7-yard touchdown run by Madre London.
From there, it was smoother sailing. Lewerke threw two TD passes to Felton Davis - a 4-yarder in the final seconds of the half and an 8-yarder in the third quarter. His 13-yard touchdown pass to Matt Sokol made it 28-3.
Cameron Jefferies returned a fumble 46 yards for a touchdown in the fourth for Bowling Green.
THE TAKEAWAY
Bowling Green: The Falcons won their last three games of 2016 after a 1-8 start, but they didn't mount much of a threat against Michigan State. Bowling Green managed only 108 yards through the first three quarters.
''We didn't play well offensively today. That was a key to the game,'' Bowling Green coach Mike Jinks said. ''The defense did everything that we asked them to do. I'm proud of that defensive unit.''
Michigan State: A lopsided win in the opener - plus a feel-good story in Smith - was what the Spartans needed, but they won't be happy with their turnovers. Scott, one of the team's most accomplished players, fumbled twice, and the Spartans lost three of their four fumbles in all.
QUARTERBACKS
Lewerke was coming off his own medical problem - a broken leg that ended his 2016 season. He completed passes to 10 different receivers.
Bowling Green's James Morgan was 10 for 31 for 145 yards with an interception. Scott Miller dropped a fourth-down pass near the goal line in the first quarter, when the Falcons were up 3-0.
HARD HITS
Bowling Green's Marcus Milton had a targeting penalty overturned by replay late in the second half, but the reprieve was only temporary for the Falcons. Fred Garth was ejected for targeting moments later.
UP NEXT
Bowling Green: The Falcons should have an easier opponent Saturday night when they face South Dakota in their home opener.
Michigan State: The Spartans host an in-state rival in Western Michigan on Saturday, with the Broncos coming off last year's stellar run to the Cotton Bowl.
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More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .
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Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. MorganĀ
12 QB
|
J. Morgan | 10/31 | 145 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
A. ClairĀ
32 RB
|
A. Clair | 4 | 22 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DomerĀ
23 RB
|
M. Domer | 4 | 21 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ClevelandĀ
1 RB
|
J. Cleveland | 8 | 16 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Stephens Jr.Ā
25 RB
|
T. Stephens Jr. | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilsonĀ
45 RB
|
D. Wilson | 6 | 9 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. MorganĀ
12 QB
|
J. Morgan | 1 | -10 | 0 | -10 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. GuytonĀ
3 WR
|
D. Guyton | 0 | 2 | 40 | 0 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Te. ReddingĀ
9 WR
|
Te. Redding | 0 | 2 | 38 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. MillerĀ
21 WR
|
S. Miller | 0 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. FolkertsmaĀ
88 TE
|
H. Folkertsma | 0 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Wilcox Jr.Ā
6 WR
|
M. Wilcox Jr. | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilsonĀ
45 RB
|
D. Wilson | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. ClairĀ
32 RB
|
A. Clair | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. ClevelandĀ
1 RB
|
J. Cleveland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. SkatteboĀ
42 FB
|
L. Skattebo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. PoughĀ
14 WR
|
J. Pough | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
N. LockeĀ
27 LB
|
N. Locke | 11-4 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JefferiesĀ
18 DB
|
C. Jefferies | 7-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Jackson Jr.Ā
22 DB
|
R. Jackson Jr. | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. PoseyĀ
7 LB
|
A. Posey | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. HarrisĀ
19 LB
|
B. Harris | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. JuniorĀ
95 DL
|
K. Junior | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. HaleĀ
38 DB
|
B. Hale | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KonowalskiĀ
8 DL
|
D. Konowalski | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. MiltonĀ
14 DB
|
M. Milton | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. GarthĀ
4 DB
|
F. Garth | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WadeĀ
24 DB
|
T. Wade | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. SandersĀ
58 DL
|
B. Sanders | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. SotolongoĀ
21 DB
|
A. Sotolongo | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Walz IIIĀ
36 DB
|
J. Walz III | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. SchwietermanĀ
63 DL
|
G. Schwieterman | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HarperĀ
50 DL
|
J. Harper | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. MurphyĀ
20 DL
|
J. Murphy | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BanksĀ
11 LB
|
A. Banks | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ColemanĀ
55 LB
|
K. Coleman | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HutchinsĀ
44 DL
|
D. Hutchins | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. SuderĀ
46 K
|
J. Suder | 1/1 | 36 | 1/1 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. DavidsonĀ
49 P
|
J. Davidson | 8 | 46.1 | 3 | 64 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. ClairĀ
32 RB
|
A. Clair | 4 | 20.3 | 32 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. SkatteboĀ
42 FB
|
L. Skattebo | 1 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. MiltonĀ 14 DB
|
M. Milton | 1 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
B. LewerkeĀ
14 QB
|
B. Lewerke | 22/33 | 250 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. TerryĀ
6 QB
|
D. Terry | 0/3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
B. LewerkeĀ
14 QB
|
B. Lewerke | 8 | 69 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. LondonĀ
28 RB
|
M. London | 10 | 54 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. HolmesĀ
24 RB
|
G. Holmes | 9 | 40 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. ScottĀ
3 RB
|
L. Scott | 15 | 39 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Stewart Jr.Ā
25 WR
|
D. Stewart Jr. | 3 | 28 | 0 | 28 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Stewart Jr.Ā
25 WR
|
D. Stewart Jr. | 0 | 6 | 85 | 0 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. JacksonĀ
86 WR
|
T. Jackson | 0 | 3 | 41 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
F. Davis IIIĀ
18 WR
|
F. Davis III | 0 | 4 | 35 | 2 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ma. SokolĀ
81 TE
|
Ma. Sokol | 0 | 3 | 31 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ChambersĀ
21 WR
|
C. Chambers | 0 | 1 | 29 | 0 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. WhiteĀ
7 WR
|
C. White | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
G. HolmesĀ
24 RB
|
G. Holmes | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. NelsonĀ
13 WR
|
L. Nelson | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. RisonĀ
5 WR
|
H. Rison | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. SeybertĀ
80 TE
|
M. Seybert | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. ScottĀ
3 RB
|
L. Scott | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
J. BachieĀ
35 LB
|
J. Bachie | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. FreyĀ
23 LB
|
C. Frey | 3-2 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. DowellĀ
6 S
|
D. Dowell | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ButlerĀ
19 CB
|
J. Butler | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. JonesĀ
49 LB
|
S. Jones | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WillisĀ
27 S
|
K. Willis | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WillekesĀ
48 DE
|
K. Willekes | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. SimmonsĀ
34 LB
|
A. Simmons | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. DowellĀ
5 LB
|
A. Dowell | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. AlexanderĀ
97 DE
|
J. Alexander | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. OwensĀ
41 DL
|
G. Owens | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. AlexanderĀ
52 DE
|
D. Alexander | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PanasiukĀ
96 DE
|
J. Panasiuk | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. StallworthĀ
51 DL
|
K. Stallworth | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. SmithĀ
15 CB
|
T. Smith | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. JonesĀ
93 DT
|
N. Jones | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ScottĀ
22 CB
|
J. Scott | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ChambersĀ
21 WR
|
C. Chambers | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. CoghlinĀ
4 K
|
M. Coghlin | 0/0 | 0 | 5/5 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. HartbargerĀ
25 P
|
J. Hartbarger | 6 | 49.0 | 3 | 57 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
N. DavisĀ
84 TE
|
N. Davis | 1 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Stewart Jr.Ā
25 WR
|
D. Stewart Jr. | 1 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Stewart Jr.Ā 25 WR
|
D. Stewart Jr. | 3 | 5.0 | 10 | 0 |