Total Yards
Michigan State452
Utah State344
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Data sourced from NCAA game stats archive (2018)
Game Center
Utah State at Michigan State
Aug 31, 2018 • Completed
Season 2018RegularWeek 1
Away
Utah State
Pac-12
Final Score
31 - 38
USMS
Home
Michigan State
Big Ten
Game Pulse
Immediate edge indicators from the box score.
Passing Yards
Michigan State287
Utah State319
Rushing Yards
Michigan State165
Utah State25
Turnovers
Michigan State2
Utah State2
Game Conditions
Temperature79°F
Wind8 mph S
Humidity
56%
Precipitation
0.00 in
Player Game Leaders
Top individual performers and full player box data.
Full Player Box
Box Score Comparison
Michigan State vs Utah State box score comparison chart
Possession Split
Possession split chart
Michigan State37:44
Utah State22:16
Stat Dominance
Team comparison across key performance areas
Radar chart comparing team performance across key metrics
Game Story
Michigan State holds off Utah State 38-31
Michigan State defeated Utah State 38-31 in Week 1 of the 2018 regular slate, finishing with a 452-344 edge in total yards, and scoring 2 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns.
Michigan State set the terms early in a game that finished 38-31. Jordan Love run for 1 yd for a TD, (Dominik Eberle KICK) came with {'seconds': 58, 'minutes': 12} left in the first quarter, giving Utah State the first major swing.
Michigan State's box score carried the story: 452 total yards, 165 rushing yards, and 287 passing yards. Utah State finished with 344 total yards, including 25 on the ground and 319 through the air.
Michigan State converted 11-17 on third down, went 0-0 on fourth down, the turnover count was 2-2, Michigan State led 20-14 at halftime. The explosive highlight was Matt Coghlin 49 yd FG GOOD.
Key Moments
Rushing Touchdown
Jordan Love run for 1 yd for a TD, (Dominik Eberle KICK) (Utah State led 7-0 over Michigan State).
Field Goal Good
Matt Coghlin 32 yd FG GOOD (Michigan State led 6-7 over Utah State).
Field Goal Good
Matt Coghlin 49 yd FG GOOD (Michigan State led 3-7 over Utah State).
Rushing Touchdown
Darwin Thompson run for 2 yds for a TD, (Dominik Eberle KICK) (Utah State led 14-13 over Michigan State).
Passing Touchdown
Brian Lewerke pass complete to Cody White for 8 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK) (Michigan State led 13-7 over Utah State).
Passing Touchdown
Brian Lewerke pass complete to Felton Davis III for 10 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK) (Michigan State led 20-14 over Utah State).
Stat Callouts
Final score
38-31
Michigan State defeated Utah State.
Total yards
452-344
Michigan State held the yardage advantage.
Rushing yards
165
Michigan State averaged 3.9 yards per rush attempt.
Passing yards
287
Michigan State averaged 8.7 yards per pass attempt.
Third downs
11-17
Michigan State's conversion rate helped sustain possessions.
Opponent third downs
7-13
Utah State's offense worked through that conversion rate.
Turnovers
2-2
Turnover totals are listed winner first.
Analysis
Game Breakdown
| Statistic | Michigan State | Utah State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 452 | 344 |
| Passing Yards | 287 | 319 |
| Rushing Yards | 165 | 25 |
| First Downs | 23 | 22 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 11-17 | 7-13 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 0-0 | 0-1 |
| Total Penalties (Yards) | 9-62 | 7-49 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Completions / Attempts | 23-33 | 29-44 |
| Rushing Attempts | 42 | 25 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 0 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 | 3 |
| Kicking Points | 12 | 7 |
| Possession Time | 37:44 | 22:16 |