EAST LANSING, Mich. _ It took Michigan State two plays to show its offense would be a factor.
From two heavily criticized areas as well: Brian Lewerke and the Spartans' struggling run game. And both areas continued to provide punch to prevent the previous paucity from becoming a problem.
Oh, yeah, and MSU might have found its new running back.
No. 19 MSU's offense answered coach Mark Dantonio's challenge, posting six touchdowns and getting 575 total yards of offense in a 51-17 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday at Spartan Stadium.
It the 109th win in Dantonio's MSU tenure, tying him with Duffy Daugherty for the most in program history.
Dantonio spent the early part of the week criticizing his offensive players' toughness and focus, particularly after watching his line commit nine of the Spartans' 14 penalties against Tulsa.
MSU (2-0) went with a steady offensive line for most of the game Saturday: Kevin Jarvis at left tackle, Luke Campbell at left guard, Matt Allen at center, Matt Carrick at right guard and Jordan Reid at right tackle. That unit paved the way for much of the 244 rushing yards the Spartans totaled against WMU (1-1).
Dantonio promised more carries for running back Elijah Collins, and the redshirt freshman took the second play of the game 29 yards that foretold a big game.
Collins ran 17 times for 192 yards, adding a 58-yarder in the third quarter. It was the most by a Spartan running back since LJ Scott's 194 at Minnesota in 2017.
Sophomore La'Darius Jefferson scored a pair of rushing TDs.
It was clear new coordinator Brad Salem was ready to open up his offensive playbook right away.
A play-action pass from Lewerke to senior receiver Darrell Stewart set up their big night.
Lewerke went 23 of 32 for 314 yards and three touchdowns, his first 300-plus-yard game since a home loss to Northwestern last season. The three TDs were his most since throwing four in an OT loss at Northwestern in 2017.
Stewart caught 10 passes for a career-best 185 yards, his first 100-yard game. He also scored a 42-yard touchdown from Lewerke.
Cody White and Matt Dotson also had TD catches from Lewerke, and Alante Thomas added a TD run late. MSU last scored six touchdowns in its Holiday Bowl win over Washington State to close the 2017 season.
The Spartans dominated WMU defensively.
WMU had just 54 yards rushing a week after MSU set a school record in holding Tulsa to minus-73 yards.
Xavier Henderson and Tyriq Thompson had interceptions of WMU quarterback Jon Wassink, who finished 23 of 37 for 252 yards and a TD.
