No. 15 Michigan State sputters in 35-13 win over W. Michigan
By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Payton Thorne capped three straight drives with touchdown passes in the first half and threw for a fourth score in the final quarter to help No. 15 Michigan State pull away and beat Western Michigan 35-13. The Spartans played well in spurts, but also struggled for long stretches against the Broncos in the opener. After taking a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter, they allowed an average Mid-American Conference team to pull within eight points late in the third quarter. Michigan State was fortunate Thorne’s uneven performance included four touchdowns to match his career high.