A bad week for Michigan State football got even worse on Saturday.
The Spartans were completely dominated by Washington, 41-7, on Saturday in their first game since Mel Tucker was suspended for sexual harassment allegations. The Huskies led the entire way, with Heisman candidate Michael Penix Jr. carving up the Spartans’ defense for a second straight year.
Buy Spartans TicketsHarlon Barnett served as the acting head coach for the Spartans in this disappointing blowout loss. It was his first game as the new acting head coach following Tucker’s suspension.
Washington controlled the game from the first quarter on, carrying a 35-0 lead into halftime. Penix threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns in the opening frame, while Michigan State was held to only 146 total yards in the first half.
The Huskies took their foot off the gas pedal in the second half, pulling Penix late in the third quarter after a pair of field goal drives. It took Michigan State until six minutes left in the game to finally put some points on the board thanks to a four-yard Katin Houser touchdown run.
Michigan State starting quarterback Noah Kim struggled in this matchup, completing 12 of 31 passes for 136 yards and one interception. The Spartans rushing attack wasn’t much better with Michigan State leading rusher Nathan Carter being held to 48 yards on 17 attempts.
Penix finished the game with 473 yards and four touchdowns in less than three quarters of action. Washington as a team finished with 713 total yards compared to only 261 for the Spartans.
Michigan State football will return to the field next week for their fourth straight home game to open the season against Maryland. The Spartans’ Big Ten opener against the Terps will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBC.
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