The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Air Force Falcons at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan, coming away with a 35-21 victory.
Usually the team that has the most total yards wins the football game, but that wasn't the case today.
Air Force totaled 428 yards (149 passing, 279 rushing), while Michigan State just had 324 total yards (247 passing, 77 rushing).
If you're wondering how Air Force still managed to lose this game by two touchdowns after reading that stat, it's because of turnovers. The Falcons committed three turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception) and had seven penalties for 96 yards, while Spartans committed six for just 38 yards.
Michigan State dominated the first half, leading 28-7 at the half, but the Spartans struggled in the second half, as Air Force outscored them 14-7 in the third and fourth quarters.
Connor Cook and his Michigan State Spartans offense got off to a commanding 7-0 start after a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josiah Price on third and nine.
Air Force was driving down the field at will in the following drive, but a fumble by D.J. Johnson was recovered by MSU safety R.J. Williamson, who took it back 64 yards to give MSU a commanding 14-0 lead.
The Falcons scored on the ensuing drive with 1:22 left in the first quarter, making it 14-7, but that's when the Spartans would pull ahead and not look back.
Aaron Burbridge made a phenomenal, acrobatic 28-yard touchdown catch to make it 21-7, finishing off an 87-yard drive with 10:40 remaining in the second quarter.
After a few stops defensively, Michigan State would connect for another touchdown, giving them a 28-7 lead heading into halftime. Connor Cook found Aaron Burbridge, who had five catches for 112 yards and two TDs in the first half, for a 32-yard touchdown.
The Spartans opened the second half with a bang, as Aaron Burbridge made his third touchdown catch of the game to put the Spartans up 35-7.
Air Force answered back on their first drive of the second half when, on just their second pass of the game, quarterback Karson Robers found a wide open Jalen Robinette for a 38-yard touchdown pass, making it 35-14.
After an MSU three and out, Air Force was driving down field with a deadly combination of triple option runs and play action passes, drove down to the Spartans' three-yard line, where they stopped and turned the ball over on downs. This was a key stop for Michigan State, as Air Force could have gained some serious momentum after two straight touchdowns.
Air Force would score again with 2:11 left after a four-play, 87-yard drive, but it was too little too late.
Connor Cook completed 15-23 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns in what was his best game thus far in the 2015 season. Wide receiver Aaron Burbridge was outstanding, racking up eight catches for 156 yards and three touchdowns. R.J. Shelton added five catches for 68 yards.
The Spartans rushing attack that played superbly against Western Michigan and Oregon struggled mightily against an undersized Falcons defense, running for just 77 yards on 42 carries, with an eye-opening 1.8 yards per carry.
Air Force doesn't pass much, but when they did the nine times tonight, quarterback Karson Robers made some plays, finishing 6-9 for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Nine different players ran the ball for the Falcons, with Jacobi Owens shouldering the load for 14 carries and 72 yards. Air Force ran for 279 yards on 51 carries as a team.
Michigan State, just like in their opening game versus Western Michigan, struggled in the second half. They'll need to be able to match their level of play in both halves come later in the season when they'll likely take on #1 Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship.
The Spartans improve to 3-0, while Air Force falls to 2-1.
Highlights of the game can be seen here via ESPN.
Michigan State takes on Central Michigan next week at home, while Air Force travels to take on fellow service academy Navy in Annapolis, Maryland.