Michigan State dropped a 35-7 smackdown on Eastern Michigan Saturday, and while the scoreboard flashed green, there was more than one surprise brewing on the field. MSU’s win was decisive, but it also unveiled a couple of serious wrinkles that opposing teams are going to have to respect moving forward.
This Receiving Room Just Blew Wide Open
Forget about eyeing a committee approach at wide receiver; Michigan State’s second game reinforced that notion by blowing it wide open. Five different wide receivers made a catch, and quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (who went 12-20 for 170 yards and two touchdowns) threw to nine different players. Chrishon McCray and Rodney Bullard continued to be favorite targets, sure, but the real showstopper was Charles Taplin. This dude didn’t even play a single snap in Week 1, and then he comes out and flashes some serious game-changing potential. We’re talking three targets, three catches for 65 yards, and his first career touchdown! He made a critical 19-yard high-point grab on fourth-and-11, then put a stutter-step move on a corner for a 38-yard score. Milivojevic said Taplin’s confidence has “really worked on” and “built it up,” and Head Coach Fitzgerald was stoked, too. He’s been “grinding” in practice to earn trust, and it clearly paid off. Fitzgerald even joked he tried to get All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. to play receiver, which just shows how much talent is in that room.
Cam Fancher Is the Improv Weapon Nobody Saw Coming
Okay, so picture this: A quarterback with 39 career games under his belt is a backup. That’s Cam Fancher’s reality, but he’s got a niche that absolutely paid off for the Spartans. Midway through the opening drive of the second half, Fancher checked in and just ripped off six completions for 44 yards without a single misfire. He handed the ball back to Milivojevic, and then Cam Edwards punched in a touchdown from a wildcat look. That’s three different players taking a snap on one drive! Fancher’s a southpaw, an improviser, and remember all those targeting calls he drew back in 2024 for Florida Atlantic? He’s a headache to defend. Coach Fitzgerald summed it up perfectly, saying Milivojevic has been “outstanding,” but “we’ve got a weapon in Cam, and we’ve got to find ways to make it work where he can be a part of the game plan.” Talk about a fantastic problem to have.
This win wasn’t just another W; it showed Michigan State has some serious depth developing, especially in their pass catchers, and a legit secret weapon in their backup quarterback. This expanded playbook and dual-threat QB situation means every opponent has to game plan for way more than just one look. This early in the season, that kind of versatility can be a huge momentum builder, and it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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