EAST LANSING — Michigan State defense lineman Alex VanSumeren has been craving the return of football.

Like the rest of his defensive unit, VanSumeren waited all offseason to get his hands on an offense not sporting Spartan colors.

In its first opportunity, Michigan State didn’t disappoint.

“When you haven’t played for so long, it’s something you crave. Like I crave it like an addict craves something,” VanSumeren said. “The competition, it’s what a lot of guys love doing, it’s what I love doing, playing football.”

The Spartans earned a 23-6 season-opening victory over Western Michigan Friday night and the defense led the way, sporting more of what coach Jonathan Smith wants to see out of his second-year squad.

“The second year in the system, the finer details happened a little bit mor

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