SPARTANSRutgers 38, Michigan State 27The Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi is spun upside down as he's tackled on a run in the third quarter during a 38-27 loss in the season opener against Rutgers, at Spartan Stadium, in East Lansing, on Oct. 24, 2020.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State running back Jordon Simmons fumbles and it is recovered by Rutgers early in the third quarter of last year's game.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor walks away as Rutgers celebrates an interception late in the fourth quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers quarterback Noah Vedral throws a pass in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State runs a play in the third quarter. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on spectators, the stadium was mostly empty.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi runs the ball in the third quarter against Rutgers.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsThe helmet of Michigan State running back Connor Heyward shows a Black Lives Matter decal worn by the team during a game against Rutgers, at Spartan Stadium, in East Lansing, October 24, 2020. Each team in the Big Ten will wear stickers of their choosing as part of a social justice campaign by the league.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State head coach Mel Tucker walks the sidelines during the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor pushes away Rutgers defensive back Avery Young during a run in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State defensive end Drew Beesley gets a hand on a ball being passed by Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral which caused a fumble in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State defensive end Drew Beesley gets a hand on a ball being passed by Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral which caused a fumble in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi runs the ball in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi is spun around as he's tackled on a run in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State head coach Mel Tucker calls to his players during a timeout in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsDenoris Williams, left, and his wife Sasha, of Belleville, watch the game in the fourth quarter. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on spectators, the stadium was mostly empty.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State running back Connor Heyward runs the ball away from Rutgers defensive back Lawrence Stevens in the third quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones is hauled down by Michigan State safety Tre Person in the fourth quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones hauls in a touchdown pass ahead of Michigan State safety Tre Person in the fourth quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed hauls in a pass for a first down in the fourth quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed hauls in a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State head coach Mel Tucker congratulates his team after a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsA lone spectator watches the game late in the fourth quarter. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on fans, the stadium was mostly empty.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsWith fan admission limited due to COVID-19, spectators had plenty of space to stretch out during the game.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State running back Jordon Simmons evades a tackle by Rutgers defensive lineman Elorm Lumor in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State running back Connor Heyward is hit hard by Rutgers defensive back Brendon White in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State head coach Mel Tucker fires up his team as they take the field for the start of the game.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers quarterback Johnny Langan pushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed runs for a touchdown in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsThe two teams line up in a mostly empty Spartan Stadium in the second quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State cornerback Shakur Brown keeps Rutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones from making a reception in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State safety Xavier Henderson tackles Rutgers running back Isaih Pacheco in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State head coach Mel Tucker walks the sidelines in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers defensive back Brendon White celebrates after recovering a Spartan fumble in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank can't complete this pass while under pressure from Michigan State safety Tre Person in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi, left, hands the ball off to running back Elijah Collins in the first quarter of the opener.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi is tackled by Rutgers linebacker Deion Jennings after keeping the ball on a play in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers quarterback Noah Vedral, left, and wide receiver Aron Cruickshank bobble a handoff in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank avoids a tackle in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State running back Jordon Simmons runs the ball in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State running back Connor HeywardDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed evades a tackle by Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers quarterback Noah Vedral slips past Michigan State linebacker Antjuan Simmons for a touchdown in the second quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State running back Jordon Simmons runs the ball in the second quarter.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsAn empty stand and cardboard fans greet the players as they warm up before the start of a game between Michigan State University and Rutgers University, at Spartan Stadium, in East Lansing, October 24, 2020.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsThe Michigan State Spartans arrive at Spartan Stadium for the first game of the season.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsCardboard cutouts of fans replace the real ones due to COVID-19 restrictions.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State head coach Mel Tucker directs his players before the start of the first game of the season against Rutgers, at Spartan Stadium, in East Lansing, October 24, 2020.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsThe two teams warm up before the game.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Payton Thorne throws a pass during warmups.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Theo Day throws a pass during warmups before the game.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers head coach Greg Schiano, left, and Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker chat on the field during warmups.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi warms up o the field before the game.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsRutgers head coach Greg Schiano, left, and Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker share an elbow bump while chatting on the field during warmups.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State head coach Mel Tucker walks off the bus as the team arrives for the first game of the season against Rutgers, at Spartan Stadium, in East Lansing, October 24, 2020.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsMichigan State head coach Mel Tucker walks off the bus as the team arrives for the first game of the season against Rutgers, at Spartan Stadium, in East Lansing, October 24, 2020.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsThe Michigan State Spartans arrive at Spartan Stadium for the first game of the season.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsAn empty stand greets the players as they warm up before the start of a game between Michigan State University and Rutgers University, at Spartan Stadium, in East Lansing, October 24, 2020.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsAn empty stand greets the players as they warm up before the start of a game between Michigan State University and Rutgers University, at Spartan Stadium, in East Lansing, October 24, 2020.David Guralnick, Detroit News