For much of Friday night's game, the Michigan State Spartans looked like they were on the way to becoming the Boise State Broncos' latest season-opening victim. But Spartans running back Le'Veon Bell eventually ran over and wore down the Broncos defense en route to a 17-to-13 victory. Bell, a junior, set a career high with 210 yards on 44 carries.
He also scored Michigan State's two touchdowns, the latest of which came with 8:12 left in the game and put Michigan State up for good. The Spartans dominated in total yards and time of possession, but allowed the Broncos to hang in the game and eventually maintain a small lead thanks to four turnovers. Three of those came on interceptions by new quarterback Andrew Maxwell, with the fourth coming on a fumble in Boise territory by receiver Tony Lippett.
But State's defense clamped down in the second half, keeping Boise State off the scoreboard. Bell took the baton from there, carrying the load on Michigan State's final scoring drive and eventually draining the clock to clinch the victory.
The Spartans will visit the Central Michigan Chippewas next Saturday, Sept. 8.
For more on the Spartans, be sure to visit The Only Colors. Additional coverage on the Broncos can be found at One Bronco Nation Under God, while SB Nation's NCAA football hub is the place to go for news surrounding college football.
