Final at Spartan Stadium, East LansingTV: ABC, ESPN3Attendance 74,211
At kickoff
63°F, overcast, wind 17 mph from the northwest, gusts to 25 mphWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Capital City Airport (KLAN), 11 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Officials
Referee Alan Eck; umpire Tab Slaughter; head linesman Cal McNeill; line judge Kelly Deterding; side judge A Flemming; field judge Scott Gaines; back judge Donnie Aultman; center judge Chris TallentGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse
Scoring by quarter
Team
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Final
Air Force
7
0
7
7
21
Michigan State
14
14
7
0
35
Standouts
PassingConnor Cook15 of 23, 247 yards, 4 TDMichigan State
No. 16ReceivingAaron Burbridge8 catches, 156 yards, 3 TDMichigan State
From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.
Team stats
Air Force
Michigan State
428
Total yards
324
149
Passing yards
247
279
Rushing yards
77
16.6
Yards per pass
10.7
5.5
Yards per rush
1.8
24
First downs
22
3–9
Third downs
7–14
0–1
Fourth downs
1–2
3
Turnovers
0
7–95
Penalties
6–38
26:59
Possession
33:01
Efficiency
Air Force
Michigan State
55%
Success rate
39%
0.09
EPA per play
0.07
0.95
Explosiveness
1.44
0.01
Rushing EPA
−0.38
0.50
Passing EPA
0.75
40%
Passing-down success
41%
0.08
First-down EPA
−0.19
0.23
Second-down EPA
0.22
0.31
Third-down EPA
0.59
From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.
Before kickoff
Our ratings and the line, going in
Our ratings (scores only)
Michigan State 77% to win. Elo’s favorite won.
The line
Michigan State −27.5, over/under 54.5.
The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.
Before kickoff, the win chances were Michigan State 97%, Air Force 3%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.
Every drive
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Michigan State drives left to right, Air Force right to left.
Q1 Air ForcePunt, 3 plays, −4 yards
Q1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 9 plays, 59 yards
Q1 Air ForceFumble return TD, 5 plays (Michigan State scores), 34 yards
Q1 Air ForceTouchdown, 11 plays, 75 yards
Q1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 10 plays, 87 yards
Q2 Air ForcePunt, 4 plays, 5 yards
Q2 Michigan StateMissed FG, 7 plays, 27 yards
Q2 Air ForcePunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
Q2 Michigan StateTouchdown, 8 plays, 64 yards
Q2 Air ForceEnd of half, 1 play, 7 yards
Q3 Michigan StateTouchdown, 8 plays, 75 yards
Q3 Air ForceTouchdown, 6 plays, 80 yards
Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
Q3 Air ForceFumble, 3 plays, 14 yards
Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, −7 yards
Q3 Air ForceTurnover on downs, 11 plays, 89 yards
Q4 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 12 plays, 52 yards
Q4 Air ForceInterception, 9 plays, 50 yards
Q4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
Q4 Air ForceTouchdown, 4 plays, 87 yards
Q4 Michigan StateEnd of game, 3 plays, −1 yard
Play by play
1st quarter5 drives, then Michigan State 14, Air Force 7
Air Force Punt, 3 plays
15:00
1st & 10 at own 35
Kevin Cronin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:00
1st & 10 at own 25
Jacobi Owens run for 4 yds to the AFA 29
14:30
2nd & 6 at own 29
Karson Roberts run for a loss of 7 yards to the AFA 22 Karson Roberts fumbled, recovered by AFA Jacobi Owens
13:45
3rd & 13 at own 22
Karson Roberts pass complete to Bryan Driskell for a loss of 1 yard to the AFA 21
12:59
4th & 14 at own 21
Brett Dunn punt for 38 yds, downed at the MchSt 41
Michigan State Touchdown, 9 plays
12:59
1st & 10 at own 41
Madre London run for 1 yd to the MchSt 42
12:10
2nd & 9 at own 42
Connor Cook pass complete to Aaron Burbridge for 15 yds to the AFA 43 for a 1ST down
11:30
1st & 10 at opp 43
Connor Cook pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 12 yds to the AFA 31 for a 1ST down
11:15
1st & 10 at opp 31
Madre London run for 3 yds to the AFA 28
10:40
2nd & 7 at opp 28
Madre London run for 3 yds to the AFA 25
10:15
3rd & 4 at opp 25
Madre London run for 9 yds to the AFA 16 for a 1ST down
9:35
1st & 10 at opp 16
Madre London run for 1 yd to the AFA 15
9:00
2nd & 9 at opp 15
Connor Cook pass incomplete to Aaron Burbridge
8:48
3rd & 9 at opp 15
Connor Cook pass complete to Josiah Price for 15 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK)Michigan State 7, Air Force 0
Air Force Fumble return TD, 5 plays (Michigan State scores)
8:48
4th & 9 at own 35
Kevin Cronin kickoff for 58 yds , Bryan Driskell return for 20 yds to the AFA 27
8:44
1st & 10 at own 27
Benton Washington run for 9 yds to the AFA 36
8:10
2nd & 1 at own 36
D.J. Johnson run for 2 yds to the AFA 38 for a 1ST down
7:50
1st & 10 at own 38
Benton Washington run for 12 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
7:15
1st & 10 at the 50
MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the MchSt 45
7:05
1st & 5 at opp 45
Jacobi Owens run for 6 yds to the MchSt 39 for a 1ST down
6:31
1st & 10 at opp 39
D.J. Johnson run for 3 yds D.J. Johnson fumbled, recovered by MchSt Rj Williamson , return for 64 yds, (Michael Geiger KICK)Michigan State 14, Air Force 0
6:31
2nd & 13 at own 3
AIR FORCE Penalty, Illegal Block (15 Yards) to the 50 yard line
Air Force Touchdown, 11 plays
6:31
2nd & goal at the 50
Kevin Cronin kickoff for 50 yds for a touchback
6:31
1st & 10 at own 25
Jacobi Owens run for 12 yds to the AFA 37 for a 1ST down
6:00
1st & 10 at own 37
Karson Roberts run for 2 yds to the AFA 39
5:10
2nd & 8 at own 39
Jacobi Owens run for 1 yd to the AFA 40 AIR FORCE Penalty, Illegal Block (-15 Yards) to the AFA 25
5:00
2nd & 22 at own 25
Benton Washington run for 12 yds to the AFA 37
4:30
3rd & 10 at own 37
Karson Roberts run for 6 yds to the MchSt 43 for a 1ST down MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Holding (10 Yards) to the MchSt 47 for a 1ST down
4:00
1st & 10 at opp 47
Shayne Davern run for 22 yds to the MchSt 25 for a 1ST down
3:40
1st & 10 at opp 25
Shayne Davern run for 3 yds to the MchSt 22
3:22
2nd & 7 at opp 22
MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the MchSt 17
3:00
2nd & 2 at opp 17
D.J. Johnson run for 9 yds to the MchSt 8 for a 1ST down
2:50
1st & goal at opp 8
D.J. Johnson run for 5 yds to the MchSt 3
2:00
2nd & goal at opp 3
Karson Roberts run for 2 yds to the MchSt 1
1:22
3rd & goal at opp 1
Benton Washington run for 1 yd for a TD, (Drew Oehrle KICK)Michigan State 14, Air Force 7
Michigan State Touchdown, 10 plays
1:22
4th & 3 at own 35
Drew Oehrle kickoff for 65 yds , R.J. Shelton return for 13 yds to the MchSt 13
1:20
1st & 10 at own 13
Madre London run for 1 yd to the MchSt 14
0:51
2nd & 9 at own 14
Connor Cook pass complete to Aaron Burbridge for 11 yds to the MchSt 25 for a 1ST down
0:19
1st & 10 at own 25
Madre London run for 1 yd to the MchSt 26
Q2 15:00
2nd & 9 at own 26
Cook, Connor pass incomplete to Burbridge, Aaron, PENALTY AIRFORCE roughing passer (Deeks, Lochlin) 15 yards to the MICHIGANST41, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN MICHIGANST.
Q2 14:50
1st & 10 at own 41
LJ Scott run for 3 yds to the MchSt 44
Q2 14:15
2nd & 7 at own 44
LJ Scott run for 2 yds to the MchSt 46
Q2 13:40
3rd & 5 at own 46
Cook, Connor pass incomplete to Burbridge, Aaron, PENALTY AIRFORCE pass interference 15 yards to the AIRFORCE39, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN MICHIGANST.
Q2 13:15
1st & 10 at opp 39
Connor Cook sacked by Alex Hansen for a loss of 4 yards to the AFA 43
Q2 12:50
2nd & 14 at opp 43
Connor Cook run for 9 yds to the AFA 34
Q2 12:04
3rd & 5 at opp 34
Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 12:04
Q2 12:04
3rd & 5 at opp 34
Connor Cook run for 4 yds to the AFA 30
Q2 11:30
4th & 1 at opp 30
LJ Scott run for 2 yds to the AFA 28 for a 1ST down
Q2 10:40
1st & 10 at opp 28
Connor Cook pass complete to Aaron Burbridge for 28 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK)Michigan State 21, Air Force 7
2nd quarter5 drives, then Michigan State 28, Air Force 7
Air Force Punt, 4 plays
10:40
2nd & 10 at own 35
Kevin Cronin kickoff for 61 yds , Bryan Driskell return for 4 yds to the AFA 8
10:40
1st & 10 at own 8
Benton Washington run for 1 yd to the AFA 9
10:00
2nd & 9 at own 9
Garrett Brown run for 8 yds to the AFA 17 AIR FORCE Penalty, Illegal Block (-8 Yards) to the AFA 9
9:30
2nd & 9 at own 9
D.J. Johnson run for 3 yds to the AFA 12
9:00
3rd & 6 at own 12
Karson Roberts run for 1 yd to the AFA 13
8:17
4th & 5 at own 13
Brett Dunn punt for 33 yds , Macgarrett Kings Jr. returns for 1 yd to the AFA 45
Michigan State Missed FG, 7 plays
8:17
1st & 10 at opp 45
Madre London run for a loss of 1 yard to the AFA 46
7:40
2nd & 11 at opp 46
Connor Cook pass incomplete to R.J. Shelton
7:35
3rd & 11 at opp 46
Connor Cook pass complete to Aaron Burbridge for 26 yds to the AFA 20 for a 1ST down
7:20
1st & 10 at opp 20
Connor Cook pass incomplete to Macgarrett Kings Jr.
7:15
2nd & 10 at opp 20
DeAnthony Arnett run for 2 yds to the AFA 18
6:35
3rd & 8 at opp 18
Connor Cook pass incomplete
6:22
4th & 8 at opp 18
Michael Geiger 35 yd FG BLOCKED blocked by David Harris
Air Force Punt, 3 plays
6:22
1st & 10 at own 20
Shayne Davern run for 4 yds to the AFA 24
5:40
2nd & 6 at own 24
Jacobi Owens run for no gain to the AFA 24
5:00
3rd & 6 at own 24
Jalen Robinette run for 3 yds to the AFA 27
4:16
4th & 3 at own 27
Brett Dunn punt for 37 yds, fair catch by Macgarrett Kings Jr. at the MchSt 36
Michigan State Touchdown, 8 plays
4:16
1st & 10 at own 36
LJ Scott run for 4 yds to the MchSt 40
3:30
2nd & 6 at own 40
LJ Scott run for a loss of 4 yards to the MchSt 36
3:00
3rd & 10 at own 36
Connor Cook pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 14 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
2:15
1st & 10 at the 50
LJ Scott run for 6 yds to the AFA 44
1:40
2nd & 4 at opp 44
LJ Scott run for 1 yd to the AFA 43
0:55
3rd & 3 at opp 43
Connor Cook pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 5 yds to the AFA 38 for a 1ST down
0:50
1st & 10 at opp 38
Connor Cook sacked by David Harris and TEAM for a loss of 9 yards to the AFA 47 MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Intentional Grounding (Connor Cook) to the AFA 47
0:50
1st & 19 at opp 47
Cook, Connor pass sacked for loss of 1 yards to the AIRFORCE48 (Byers, Samuel;Onyechi, Jacob), PENALTY AIRFORCE personal foul 15 yards to the AIRFORCE32, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN MICHIGANST.
0:28
1st & 10 at opp 32
Connor Cook pass complete to Aaron Burbridge for 32 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK)Michigan State 28, Air Force 7
Air Force End of half, 1 play
0:28
2nd & 10 at own 35
Kevin Cronin kickoff for 55 yds , Bryan Driskell return for 6 yds to the AFA 16
0:28
1st & 10 at own 16
Jacobi Owens run for 7 yds to the AFA 23
3rd quarter6 drives, then Michigan State 35, Air Force 14
Michigan State Touchdown, 8 plays
15:00
1st & 10 at own 35
Drew Oehrle kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:00
1st & 10 at own 25
Madre London run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 24
14:20
2nd & 11 at own 24
Connor Cook pass complete to Aaron Burbridge for 15 yds to the MchSt 39 for a 1ST down
13:45
1st & 10 at own 39
Connor Cook pass incomplete to Macgarrett Kings Jr.
13:40
2nd & 10 at own 39
Connor Cook pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 19 yds to the AFA 42 for a 1ST down
13:05
1st & 10 at opp 42
Madre London run for 2 yds to the AFA 40
12:25
2nd & 8 at opp 40
Cook, Connor pass incomplete to Arnett, DeAnthony, PENALTY MICHIGANST holding off-setting, PENALTY AIRFORCE Roughing Passer off-setting, NO PLAY.
12:25
2nd & 8 at opp 40
Connor Cook pass complete to DeAnthony Arnett for 8 yds to the AFA 32 for a 1ST down
12:00
1st & 10 at opp 32
Madre London run for 11 yds to the AFA 21 for a 1ST down
11:07
1st & 10 at opp 21
Connor Cook pass complete to Aaron Burbridge for 21 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK)Michigan State 35, Air Force 7
Air Force Touchdown, 6 plays
11:07
2nd & 10 at own 35
Kevin Cronin kickoff for 62 yds , Tyler Williams return for 17 yds to the AFA 20
11:07
1st & 10 at own 20
Karson Roberts run for 13 yds to the AFA 33 for a 1ST down
10:50
1st & 10 at own 33
Jacobi Owens run for 17 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
10:15
1st & 10 at the 50
D.J. Johnson run for no gain to the 50 yard line
9:40
2nd & 10 at the 50
Shayne Davern run for 9 yds to the MchSt 41
9:05
3rd & 1 at opp 41
Shayne Davern run for 3 yds to the MchSt 38 for a 1ST down
8:38
1st & 10 at opp 38
Karson Roberts pass complete to Jalen Robinette for 38 yds for a TD, (Drew Oehrle KICK)Michigan State 35, Air Force 14
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
8:38
2nd & 10 at own 35
Drew Oehrle kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:38
1st & 10 at own 25
Connor Cook pass incomplete to Felton Davis III
8:30
2nd & 10 at own 25
LJ Scott run for 5 yds to the MchSt 30
7:55
3rd & 5 at own 30
Connor Cook pass incomplete to Aaron Burbridge
7:41
4th & 5 at own 30
Jake Hartbarger punt for 30 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the AFA 40
Air Force Fumble, 3 plays
7:41
1st & 10 at own 40
Karson Roberts run for 7 yds to the AFA 47
7:10
2nd & 3 at own 47
Jacobi Owens run for 7 yds to the MchSt 46 for a 1ST down
6:23
1st & 10 at opp 46
Jacobi Owens run for 1 yd to the MchSt 47 Jacobi Owens fumbled, recovered by MchSt Andrew Dowell , return for 2 yds to the MchSt 47
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
6:23
1st & 10 at own 47
LJ Scott run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 46
5:45
2nd & 11 at own 46
Madre London run for 1 yd to the MchSt 47
5:00
3rd & 10 at own 47
Connor Cook sacked by Grant Ross and Connor Healy for a loss of 7 yards to the MchSt 40
4:07
4th & 17 at own 40
Jake Hartbarger punt for 52 yds, downed at the AFA 8
Air Force Turnover on downs, 11 plays
4:07
1st & 10 at own 8
Benton Washington run for a loss of 1 yard to the AFA 7
3:30
2nd & 11 at own 7
Timeout AIR FORCE, clock 03:30
3:30
2nd & 11 at own 7
Karson Roberts pass complete to Garrett Brown for 32 yds to the AFA 39 for a 1ST down
3:05
1st & 10 at own 39
Benton Washington run for 18 yds to the MchSt 43 for a 1ST down
2:30
1st & 10 at opp 43
D.J. Johnson run for 1 yd to the MchSt 42
2:00
2nd & 9 at opp 42
Karson Roberts pass complete to Garrett Brown for 24 yds to the MchSt 18 for a 1ST down
1:30
1st & 10 at opp 18
Karson Roberts run for 6 yds to the MchSt 12
0:45
2nd & 4 at opp 12
Jacobi Owens run for 7 yds to the MchSt 5 for a 1ST down
0:15
1st & goal at opp 5
Karson Roberts run for 3 yds to the MchSt 2
Q4 15:00
2nd & goal at opp 2
Jacobi Owens run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 3
Q4 14:30
3rd & goal at opp 3
Jacobi Owens run for no gain to the MchSt 3
Q4 13:51
4th & 0 at opp 3
Timeout AIR FORCE, clock 13:51
Q4 13:47
4th & goal at opp 3
Jalen Robinette run for a loss of 5 yards to the MchSt 8
4th quarter5 drives, then Michigan State 35, Air Force 21
Michigan State Turnover on downs, 12 plays
13:47
1st & 10 at own 8
Connor Cook pass complete to Aaron Burbridge for 8 yds to the MchSt 16
13:00
2nd & 2 at own 16
Gerald Holmes run for no gain to the MchSt 16
12:20
3rd & 2 at own 16
Gerald Holmes run for 2 yds to the MchSt 18 for a 1ST down
11:40
1st & 10 at own 18
Gerald Holmes run for 5 yds to the MchSt 23
11:00
2nd & 5 at own 23
Connor Cook pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 18 yds to the MchSt 41 for a 1ST down
10:30
1st & 10 at own 41
Damion Terry run for 5 yds to the MchSt 46
9:50
2nd & 5 at own 46
Madre London run for 2 yds to the MchSt 48
9:20
3rd & 3 at own 48
Connor Cook run for 3 yds to the AFA 49 for a 1ST down
8:45
1st & 10 at opp 49
Connor Cook pass incomplete to Aaron Burbridge
8:40
2nd & 10 at opp 49
R.J. Shelton run for 8 yds to the AFA 41
8:00
3rd & 2 at opp 41
Madre London run for 1 yd to the AFA 40
7:34
4th & 1 at opp 40
Connor Cook run for no gain to the AFA 40
Air Force Interception, 9 plays
7:34
1st & 10 at own 40
Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 07:34
7:34
1st & 10 at own 40
Karson Roberts pass incomplete to Jalen Robinette
7:30
2nd & 10 at own 40
Jacobi Owens run for 13 yds to the MchSt 47 for a 1ST down
7:20
1st & 10 at opp 47
Karson Roberts pass incomplete to Jacobi Owens
6:50
2nd & 10 at opp 47
Devin Rushing run for 7 yds to the MchSt 40
6:30
3rd & 3 at opp 40
Devin Rushing run for 14 yds to the MchSt 26 for a 1ST down
6:15
1st & 10 at opp 26
Devin Rushing run for 20 yds to the MchSt 6 for a 1ST down
6:05
1st & goal at opp 6
Jacobi Owens run for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 8
5:45
2nd & goal at opp 8
Tyler Williams run for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 10
5:11
3rd & goal at opp 10
Karson Roberts pass intercepted Rj Williamson return for 9 yds to the MchSt 17
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
5:11
1st & 10 at own 17
LJ Scott run for 5 yds to the MchSt 22
4:30
2nd & 5 at own 22
LJ Scott run for no gain to the MchSt 22
4:14
3rd & 5 at own 22
Timeout AIR FORCE, clock 04:14
4:14
3rd & 5 at own 22
Madre London run for 3 yds to the MchSt 25
3:16
4th & 2 at own 25
Jake Hartbarger punt for 51 yds , Garrett Brown returns for 1 yd to the AFA 26 AIR FORCE Penalty, Personal Foul (12 Yards) to the AFA 13
Air Force Touchdown, 4 plays
3:16
1st & 10 at own 13
Karson Roberts run for 11 yds to the AFA 24 for a 1ST down
3:00
1st & 10 at own 24
Karson Roberts pass complete to Garrett Brown for 12 yds to the MchSt 36 for a 1ST down MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Personal Foul (15 Yards) to the MchSt 49 for a 1ST down
2:40
1st & 10 at opp 49
Karson Roberts pass complete to Jalen Robinette for 44 yds to the MchSt 5 for a 1ST down
2:20
1st & goal at opp 5
Roberts, Karson pass incomplete to Robinette, Jalen, PENALTY MICHIGANST pass interference (Cox, Demetrious) 3 yards to the MICHIGANST2, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN AIRFORCE.
2:11
1st & goal at opp 2
D.J. Johnson run for 2 yds for a TD, (Drew Oehrle KICK)Michigan State 35, Air Force 21
Michigan State End of game, 3 plays
2:11
2nd & 10 at own 35
Drew Oehrle on-side kick recovered by MICHIGAN ST at the AFA 44
2:10
1st & 10 at opp 44
Madre London run for a loss of 1 yard to the AFA 45
1:25
2nd & 11 at opp 45
Madre London run for 4 yds to the AFA 41
0:40
3rd & 7 at opp 41
TEAM run for a loss of 4 yards to the AFA 45
Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.
PassingConnor Cook15 of 23, 247 yards, 4 TDMichigan State
Air Force
Michigan State