Total Yards
Michigan State410
Pittsburgh274
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Data sourced from NCAA game stats archive (2021)
Game Center
Pittsburgh at Michigan State
Dec 31, 2021 • Completed • Neutral Site
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Season 2021PostseasonWeek 1
Away
Pittsburgh
ACC
Final Score
21 - 31
PMS
Home
Michigan State
Big Ten
Game Pulse
Immediate edge indicators from the box score.
Passing Yards
Michigan State354
Pittsburgh170
Rushing Yards
Michigan State56
Pittsburgh104
Turnovers
Michigan State2
Pittsburgh1
Game Conditions
ConditionLight Rain
Temperature64°F
Wind7 mph SW
Humidity
97%
Precipitation
0.00 in
Player Game Leaders
Top individual performers and full player box data.
Full Player Box
Box Score Comparison
Michigan State vs Pittsburgh box score comparison chart
Possession Split
Possession split chart
Michigan State35:09
Pittsburgh24:51
Stat Dominance
Team comparison across key performance areas
Radar chart comparing team performance across key metrics
Game Story
Michigan State beats Pittsburgh 31-21
Michigan State defeated Pittsburgh 31-21 in Week 1 of the 2021 postseason slate, finishing with a 410-274 edge in total yards, and scoring 3 passing touchdowns and 0 rushing touchdowns.
Michigan State set the terms early in a game that finished 31-21. Nick Patti run for 16 yds for a TD, (Sam Scarton KICK) came with {'seconds': 57, 'minutes': 7} left in the first quarter, giving Pittsburgh the first major swing.
Michigan State's box score carried the story: 410 total yards, 56 rushing yards, and 354 passing yards. Pittsburgh finished with 274 total yards, including 104 on the ground and 170 through the air.
Michigan State converted 10-21 on third down, went 3-4 on fourth down, the turnover count was 2-1, Michigan State led 10-14 at halftime. The explosive highlight was Matt Coghlin 36 yd FG GOOD.
Key Moments
Rushing Touchdown
Nick Patti run for 16 yds for a TD, (Sam Scarton KICK) (Pittsburgh led 7-7 over Michigan State).
Field Goal Good
Matt Coghlin 36 yd FG GOOD (Michigan State led 10-7 over Pittsburgh).
Passing Touchdown
Payton Thorne pass complete to Jayden Reed for 28 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK) (Michigan State led 7-0 over Pittsburgh).
Passing Touchdown
Davis Beville pass complete to Jared Wayne for 4 yds for a TD, (Sam Scarton KICK) (Pittsburgh led 14-10 over Michigan State).
Fumble Recovery (Opponent)
Payton Thorne run for 1 yd Payton Thorne fumbled, forced by John Morgan III, recovered by Pitt Cam Bright , return for 26 yds, (Sam Scarton KICK) (Michigan State led 10-21 over Pittsburgh).
Passing Touchdown
Payton Thorne pass complete to Connor Heyward for 15 yds for a TD, (Two-Point Conversion failed ) (Michigan State led 16-21 over Pittsburgh).
Stat Callouts
Final score
31-21
Michigan State defeated Pittsburgh.
Total yards
410-274
Michigan State held the yardage advantage.
Rushing yards
56
Michigan State averaged 1.6 yards per rush attempt.
Passing yards
354
Michigan State averaged 7.1 yards per pass attempt.
Third downs
10-21
Michigan State's conversion rate helped sustain possessions.
Opponent third downs
2-12
Pittsburgh's offense worked through that conversion rate.
Turnovers
2-1
Turnover totals are listed winner first.
Analysis
Game Breakdown
| Statistic | Michigan State | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 410 | 274 |
| Passing Yards | 354 | 170 |
| Rushing Yards | 56 | 104 |
| First Downs | 25 | 14 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 10-21 | 2-12 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 3-4 | 2-2 |
| Total Penalties (Yards) | 6-35 | 4-30 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Completions / Attempts | 29-50 | 16-23 |
| Rushing Attempts | 36 | 32 |
| Passing TDs | 3 | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
| Kicking Points | 5 | 3 |
| Possession Time | 35:09 | 24:51 |