(BCSNN) — Graduate kicker Liam Boyd delivered one of the finest special‑teams performances in Michigan State history Friday night, drilling five field goals, including a career‑best 51‑yarder with 1:55 remaining, to seal a 30–20 season‑opening win over Toledo in front of 72,083 fans at Spartan Stadium.

The victory marked the first win for new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who watched his team respond to adversity throughout a tense second half.

Michigan State built a 19–7 halftime lead behind Boyd’s four first‑half field goals and a bruising opening touchdown drive capped by Cam Edwards’ 2‑yard run. But Toledo surged in the third quarter, briefly taking a 20–19 lead early in the fourth before the Spartans steadied themselves and reclaimed control.

“Really proud of the way our guys responded,” Fitzgerald said. “I talked to them early in this process about learning the difference between reacting and responding. Reacting has an emotional response or an emotional way about it, and a response has an action plan that allows you to have success. And I thought we responded really boldly.”

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic was efficient throughout the night, completing 26 of 34 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown, including the decisive fourth‑quarter strike to Rodney Bullard Jr. Bullard finished with seven catches for 90 yards, and his 5‑yard touchdown on fourth‑and‑1 with 10:37 remaining gave MSU a 27–20 lead. Milivojevic then connected with Bullard again on the two‑point conversion to extend the margin.

Boyd, a transfer from Charlotte, provided the rest. He hit field goals from 32, 42, 48 and 35 yards in the first half, helping Michigan State capitalize on short fields created by the defense. His final kick — the 51‑yarder — capped an 11‑play, 43‑yard drive that drained nearly six minutes off the clock and put the game out of reach.

Michigan State’s defense set the tone early. After forcing a three‑and‑out on Toledo’s opening possession, the Spartans marched 63 yards on 13 plays to take a 7–0 lead. Moments later, Kenny Soares Jr., playing in his first game as a Spartan, intercepted a pass in Toledo territory to set up Boyd’s second field goal and a 13–0 advantage.

Toledo responded with a 60‑yard touchdown pass from John Alan Richter to Adjatay Dabbs, cutting the lead to 13–7. But Boyd added two more field goals before halftime, pushing the margin to 19–7.

The Rockets clawed back in the third quarter. After Boyd’s fifth field‑goal attempt was blocked, Toledo drove 60 yards for a touchdown to make it 19–14. Early in the fourth, Connor Walendzak broke free for a 71‑yard touchdown run, giving Toledo its first lead at 20–19 with 13:47 remaining.

Michigan State answered immediately. Milivojevic engineered a seven‑play, 70‑yard drive, converting a critical fourth‑and‑1 with the touchdown pass to Bullard. The defense then held firm, forcing a missed Toledo field goal before Boyd’s long kick sealed the win.

Edwards anchored the ground game with 27 carries for 98 yards, while the Spartans controlled possession for long stretches, especially in the second half. The win offered a promising glimpse of the Fitzgerald era — disciplined, resilient, and opportunistic.

Michigan State improves to 1–0, while Toledo falls to 0–1. The Spartans return to Spartan Stadium next Saturday to host Eastern Michigan at 3:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.