Top 25 Recaps: Spartans survive scrappy Furman


Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O'Connor (7) throws the ball against the Furman Paladins during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Photo Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O’Connor (7) throws the ball against the Furman Paladins during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Photo Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Tyler O’Connor threw three touchdown passes in his second career start and the No. 12 Michigan State Spartans defeated pesky the Furman Paladins 28-13 on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

O’Connor completed 13 of 18 passes for 190 yards with an interception. Sophomore running back LJ Scott gained 105 yards on 20 carries and scored Michigan State’s first touchdown. Senior receiver Monty Madaris caught five passes for 85 yards for the Spartans, who have a bye week before a showdown with No. 10 Notre Dame on Sept. 17 in South Bend, Ind.

Paladins junior quarterback P.J. Blazejowski completed 15 of 30 passes for 123 yards and was intercepted once. Freshman running back Darius Morehead had 83 yards on 20 carries for Furman, an FCS school that finished 4-7 last season.

No. 23 Baylor 55, Northwestern State 7

WACO, Texas — The Baylor defense forced Northwestern State backward for most of the first half and its offense clicked with its usual precision on the way to a blowout victory at McLane Stadium.

Baylor quarterback Seth Russell passed for 163 yards and four touchdowns in less than two quarters. Bears running back Shock Linwood rushed for 97 yards on nine carries, most of which came in the first quarter.

Russell completed 14 of 20 passes for 163 yards in the first two quarters, including touchdown passes to tight ends Sam Tecklenburg and Jordan Feuerbacher and wide receivers KD Cannon and Pooh Stricklin before taking a seat for the second half.