EAST LANSING, Mich., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- No. 15 Michigan State survived an early scare Saturday and rallied from a three-point halftime deficit to post a 27-10 victory over the Rice Owls.
Jeff Smoker completed 16 of 26 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns for the Spartans (2-0), who scored 20 unanswered points in the second half after trailing at intermission, 10-7.
Charles Rogers grabbed nine passes for 155 yards, including a pair of touchdowns. He extended his streak with at least one touchdown reception to 11 straight games.
But the Spartans (2-0) found themselves in an unexpected fight as the Owls (0-2) grabbed the halftime lead on Greg Henderson's three-yard run with 5:03 left in the first half.
Michigan State got a spark early in the second half from kicker Dave Rayner, who converted field goals of 45 and 51 yards in the first 6:31 of the third quarter to put the Spartans ahead, 13-10.
Michigan State allowed only 80 total yards in the second half and took a 20-10 lead Rogers' five-yard reception with 2:15 left in the third quarter.
The Spartans put away the contest on Smoker's two-yard strike to Eric Knott 4:13 into the final period.
Rice finished with just 28 yards passing while Michigan State rushed for only 58 yards.
