Kirk Cousins threw for 221 yards and a touchdown as No. 17 Michigan State survived a sluggish start to defeat Youngstown State 28-6 on Friday in East Lansing, Mich.

The Spartans struggled at the beginning in front of their largest crowd for a season opener since 1987. Michigan State totaled 28 yards in the first quarter, didn’t score until Larry Caper's 6-yard touchdown run with 12:04 left in the second and led only 14-6 at halftime.

Michigan State finally took control when Cousins found B.J. Cunningham over the middle for an 18-yard touchdown strike to give Michigan State a 21-6 cushion with 4:52 left in the third quarter.

Cunningham finished with a career-high 129 yards on nine catches, and tied Matt Trannon’s school record of 148 career receptions.

Le’Veon Bell had two rushing scores for the Spartans, who have won 13 straight home openers.

It was by far the most promising performance in years against an FBS opponent for Youngstown State, traditionally an FCS powerhouse but coming off a disappointing 3-8 season. The Penguins had lost their last five games against FBS competition by an average of 34.8 points.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, a former assistant at Youngstown State, moved to 3-0 against FCS teams while with the Spartans.