{{pageModel.leagueAbbr}} {{pageModel.subtitle}} | Las Vegas Review-Journal
College Football
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Michigan State 45, Central Michigan 7
When: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 24, 2011
Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
Temperature: 61°
Head Official: Todd Geerlings
Attendance: 72119

Le’Veon Bell tied a career high with three touchdowns and No. 23 Michigan State rolled to 45-7 win over visiting Central Michigan on Saturday in its final tune-up before a showdown with Ohio State.

Isaiah Lewis returned one of four Michigan State interceptions for a score as the Spartans bounced back from a 31-13 loss to Notre Dame.

Michigan State (3-1), which has won 14 of its last 15 non-conference home games, improved to 25-6 in East Lansing under Mark Dantonio. One of those losses was a stunning 29-27 setback to the Chippewas (1-3) in 2009. However, that victory was spearheaded by Dan LeFevour – one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the Mid-American Conference.

Two years later, Central Michigan’s quarterback situation couldn’t be more different. A.J. Westendorp briefly replaced ineffective starter Ryan Radcliff midway through the second, but he had his first pass returned 37 yards for a touchdown by Lewis.

Lewis’ return made it 21-0 and Bell’s third touchdown – a 13-yarder – gave the Spartans a 31-0 lead with 1:23 left in the half.

The resurgence of the Spartans’ running game was a welcome sight after Michigan State managed just 29 yards on 23 carries in the loss to Notre Dame. The real challenge for the defending Big Ten co-champions comes next week in Columbus, which marks the start of a brutal four-game stretch that features contests against Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska.

Central Michigan's lone score came on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Radcliff to David Blackburn after a blocked punt early in the third.
Top Game Performances
Rushing
Central Michigan   Michigan State
A.J. Westendorp Player Le'Veon Bell
2 Attempts 8
15 Yards 81
7.5 Avg Yards 10.1
0 Touchdowns 3
0 Long 0
Receiving
Central Michigan   Michigan State
Cody Wilson Player B.J. Cunningham
3 Receptions 3
31 Yards 67
10.3 Avg Yards 22.3
0 Touchdowns 0
0 Long 0
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Central Michigan 112 21 91 1 0 1 0.0 0
Michigan State 481 197 284 5 1 4 1.0 1