East Lansing — It was far from a work of beauty, but Michigan State opened its 2022 season in winning fashion Friday night in front of 73,928 at Spartan Stadium.
Thanks to some big plays in the first half and one big run from Jalen Berger late in the game, No. 15 Michigan State earned a tougher-than-expected 35-13 victory over Western Michigan as Spartans coach Mel Tucker began his third season with a victory.
Berger, the transfer from Wisconsin, finished with 120 yards on 16 carries, but it was his 50-yard scamper in the fourth quarter followed four plays later by a 1-yard plunge into the end zone that gave the Spartans the 15-point lead and effectively ended any upset ideas from the Broncos.