Rutgers 38, Michigan State 27

Michigan State running back Jordon Simmons fumbles and it is recovered by Rutgers early in the third quarter of last year's game.

Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor walks away as Rutgers celebrates an interception late in the fourth quarter.

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral throws a pass in the third quarter.

Michigan State runs a play in the third quarter. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on spectators, the stadium was mostly empty.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi runs the ball in the third quarter against Rutgers.

The 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.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker walks the sidelines during the third quarter.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in the third quarter.

Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor pushes away Rutgers defensive back Avery Young during a run in the third quarter.

Michigan 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.

Michigan 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.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi runs the ball in the third quarter.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi is spun around as he's tackled on a run in the third quarter.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker calls to his players during a timeout in the third quarter.

Denoris 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.

Michigan State running back Connor Heyward runs the ball away from Rutgers defensive back Lawrence Stevens in the third quarter.

Rutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones is hauled down by Michigan State safety Tre Person in the fourth quarter.

Rutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones hauls in a touchdown pass ahead of Michigan State safety Tre Person in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed hauls in a pass for a first down in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed hauls in a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker congratulates his team after a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

A lone spectator watches the game late in the fourth quarter. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on fans, the stadium was mostly empty.

With fan admission limited due to COVID-19, spectators had plenty of space to stretch out during the game.

Michigan State running back Jordon Simmons evades a tackle by Rutgers defensive lineman Elorm Lumor in the first quarter.

Michigan State running back Connor Heyward is hit hard by Rutgers defensive back Brendon White in the first quarter.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker fires up his team as they take the field for the start of the game.

Rutgers quarterback Johnny Langan pushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed runs for a touchdown in the first quarter.

The two teams line up in a mostly empty Spartan Stadium in the second quarter.

Michigan State cornerback Shakur Brown keeps Rutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones from making a reception in the first quarter.

Michigan State safety Xavier Henderson tackles Rutgers running back Isaih Pacheco in the first quarter.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker walks the sidelines in the first quarter.

Rutgers defensive back Brendon White celebrates after recovering a Spartan fumble in the first quarter.

Rutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank can't complete this pass while under pressure from Michigan State safety Tre Person in the first quarter.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi, left, hands the ball off to running back Elijah Collins in the first quarter of the opener.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi is tackled by Rutgers linebacker Deion Jennings after keeping the ball on a play in the first quarter.

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral, left, and wide receiver Aron Cruickshank bobble a handoff in the first quarter.

Rutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank avoids a tackle in the first quarter.

Michigan State running back Jordon Simmons runs the ball in the first quarter.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in the first quarter.

Michigan State running back Connor Heyward

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in the first quarter.

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed evades a tackle by Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter.

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral slips past Michigan State linebacker Antjuan Simmons for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Michigan State running back Jordon Simmons runs the ball in the second quarter.

An 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.

The Michigan State Spartans arrive at Spartan Stadium for the first game of the season.

Cardboard cutouts of fans replace the real ones due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Michigan 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.

The two teams warm up before the game.

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne throws a pass during warmups.

Michigan State quarterback Theo Day throws a pass during warmups before the game.

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, left, and Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker chat on the field during warmups.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi warms up o the field before the game.

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, left, and Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker share an elbow bump while chatting on the field during warmups.

Michigan 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.

Michigan 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.

The Michigan State Spartans arrive at Spartan Stadium for the first game of the season.

An 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.