No. 17 Mich St beats W Kentucky 48-31, best start since 2015
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe looks to throw a pass against Michigan State during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe looks to throw a pass against Michigan State during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Oct. 02, 2021 08:52 PM EDT
Michigan State's Jayden Reed, left, returns a punt for a touchdown as teammate Ben VanSumeren (13) blocks against Western Kentucky during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Michigan State's Jayden Reed, left, returns a punt for a touchdown as teammate Ben VanSumeren (13) blocks against Western Kentucky during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Oct. 02, 2021 08:54 PM EDT
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, right, runs for a touchdown against Western Kentucky's Miguel Edwards during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, right, runs for a touchdown against Western Kentucky's Miguel Edwards during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Oct. 02, 2021 08:55 PM EDT
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, top, dives over Western Kentucky's Miguel Edwards for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, top, dives over Western Kentucky's Miguel Edwards for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Oct. 02, 2021 08:55 PM EDT
Michigan State players, including, from left to right, Kevin Jarvis, Cody Waddell, Brandon Wright and Connor Heyward, enter Spartan Stadium before an NCAA college football game against Western Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Michigan State players, including, from left to right, Kevin Jarvis, Cody Waddell, Brandon Wright and Connor Heyward, enter Spartan Stadium before an NCAA college football game against Western Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Oct. 02, 2021 06:10 PM EDT
Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne, right, runs for a touchdown against Western Kentucky's Kaleb Oliver (20) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne, right, runs for a touchdown against Western Kentucky's Kaleb Oliver (20) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Oct. 02, 2021 10:02 PM EDT
Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) and offensive linemen Matt Carrick, left, and Nick Samac celebrate Thorne's touchdown against Western Kentucky during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) and offensive linemen Matt Carrick, left, and Nick Samac celebrate Thorne's touchdown against Western Kentucky during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Oct. 02, 2021 10:02 PM EDT