South Florida Bulls vs Michigan State Spartans Match Player Stats On Sep 07, 2013

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 7, 2013

Michigan State 21, South Florida 6: Defensive end Shilique Calhoun returned both a fumble and an interception for a touchdown as the Spartans held off the visiting Bulls.

The Spartans (2-0) used three quarterbacks and starter Connor Cook led the only touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, capped by Jeremy Langford’s 2-yard run. Calhoun also returned a fumble for one of two Michigan State defensive touchdowns in last week’s victory over Western Michigan.

Marcus Shaw gained 94 yards rushing for South Florida (0-2), which was 1-for-13 in third-down conversions. Bulls quarterback Bobby Eveld was pressured all day, finishing 6-of-25 for 66 yards; he received the nod against the Spartans after coming on in relief for opening day starter Matt Floyd.

Tyler Hoover’s hit on Eveld knocked the ball loose before Calhoun scooped it up and ran 4 yards for a score with 9:30 left in the second quarter to snap the scoreless tie. Marvin Kloss pulled the Bulls within one at halftime after the pair of field goals, the second set up by a fumbled punt.

Calhoun picked off a deflected pass and rumbled 56 yards for a score with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter to give the Spartans more breathing room. Michigan State sealed it with a nine-play, 33-yard drive that included a fourth-down conversion and Langford’s touchdown with 10:12 left in the contest.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cook and freshman Tyler O’Connor were a combined 7-of-14 passing for 34 yards in a first half that saw the Spartans' offense total only 118 yards. ... Last week’s starter Andrew Maxwell also played in the second half and was 4-of-9 for 50 yards. … The start of the game was delayed for one hour and seven minutes due to lightning, which caused the stadium to be evacuated. … Floyd, who started for South Florida in last week’s loss to McNeese State, was healthy but did not play.