Michigan State moves up in national rankings

Michigan State's Jayden Reed, top, is stopped by Nebraska's Deontai Williams (8) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Michigan State and Nebraska play during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Michigan State players celebrate following their overtime win against Nebraska in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne, center, scrambles against Nebraska's Garrett Nelson, left, and JoJo Domann (13) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) escapes from Michigan State's Jacub Panasiuk (96) and Jacob Slade, left, during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Nebraska coach Scott Frost, center, watches from the sideline against Michigan State during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Michigan State's Matt Coghlin kicks the game-winning field goal against Nebraska during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Michigan State's Chester Kimbrough (12) intercepts a Nebraska pass intended for Nebraska's Samori Toure (3) during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, left, congratulates kicker Matt Coghlin (4) after Coghlin kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime against Nebraska in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez celebrates his rushing touchdown against Michigan State during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Michigan State's Matt Coghlin, center, celebrates as he watches the winning field goal against Nebraska during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, left, rushes against Nebraska's Caleb Tannor, right, as Michigan State's Connor Heyward (11) blocks during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, right, looks to throw as Michigan State's Michael Dowell, left, defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez runs in for a touchdown against Michigan State during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

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Michigan State survived a scare at home and moved up the rankings.

The Spartans (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) won 23-20 in overtime against Nebraska (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) on Saturday night and climbed to No. 16 in the Coaches Poll and No. 17 in the AP Top 25, which were released on Sunday afternoon. Michigan State was 20th (AP) and 21st (Coaches Poll) last week while cracking the rankings in both polls for the first time in almost two years.

Takeaways, observations from Michigan State’s OT win vs. Nebraska

Despite not having a single first down in the second half and managing only 14 yards of offense on 15 plays in the third and fourth quarter combined, Michigan State edged Nebraska to continue its best start to a season since 2015. Jayden Reed returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown to tie the game late in the fourth quarter and Matt Coghlin made a 21-yard field goal in overtime.

It was a different way to win this season as the Spartans opened with lopsided victories at Northwestern and against Youngstown State before pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 38-17 win at Miami last week.

Michigan State closes out nonconference play when it hosts Western Kentucky (1-2) on Saturday (7:30 p.m., FS1) in East Lansing. The Hilltoppers are coming off a pair of narrow defeats with a 38-35 loss at Army and 33-31 loss against Indiana on Saturday.

Related Michigan State football stories:

Michigan State finds a way to pull out improbable OT win against Nebraska

Overheard outside Michigan State’s locker room: Feeling frustration and a gut check

‘That’s six’: How Michigan State drew up Jayden Reed’s punt return touchdown vs. Nebraska

Michigan State missing notable players vs. Nebraska

Michigan State DE Alex Okelo enters transfer portal

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