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EAST LANSING, Michigan (Ticker) -- Central Michigan sophomore cornerback James King blocked four punts to tie an NCAA Division I-A record, but Michigan State held on for a season-opening 35-21 victory. King, a 6-1, 195-pounder from Oak Park, Michigan, blocked a pair of fourth-quarter punts, both of which were returned for touchdowns as Central Michigan (1-1) closed within 35-21 with 6:41 left. Michigan State (1-0) was able to hold on as T.J. Duckett rushed for 120 yards and a score and backup quarterback Ryan Van Dyke threw a pair of TD passes. But the story of the game -- even in a losing effort -- was King, who matched Ken Irvin's record of four blocked punts in a game. Irvin did it for Memphis against Arkansas on September 26, 1994. King also blocked a punt last week in a 42-28 win over Eastern Kentucky. Safety Joe Ballard and cornerback Omari Colen returned King's last two blocks 17 and 36 yards, respectively, in a 3:32 span of the fourth quarter. Duckett sprinted 31 yards for a score 3:23 into the second half, helping the Spartans to a 35-7 cushion. It was their fourth straight TD in a 7:46 span bridging the halves. Rotating with starter Jeff Smoker, Van Dyke threw TD passes of 28 and 53 yards to L.J. Flowers and Roderick Maples in the final three minutes of the second quarter. Van Dyke finished the game just 3-of-6 for 94 yards. Smoker completed 15-of-23 for 196 yards with a touchdown. He also threw an interception and rushed for a three-yard touchdown. Derrick Vickers completed 18-of-36 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown and interception for the Chippewas. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 3-2. Each of the five games have been played in East Lansing.
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