All week long, the MSU players and coaches talked about the trouble that comes with defending the triple option and Air Force showed just how difficult it is. 

In week one, MSU only gave up 18 rushing yards to Western Michigan, the dangerous Oregon offense only put up 123 rushing yards in week two. 

The Air Force Falcons ran all over the Spartan defense, rushing for 279 yards.

"We focused on those guys back in Spring ball and through Fall camp," co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett said "Thank God we're done with Air Force."

Cook's Connection

Senior quarterback Connor Cook may have found his favorite target in the win over Air Force. 

Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge caught eight passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns.

"You just gotta go out there with confidence to know what you're doing and you just gotta make plays," Burbridge said. "This is my last season, I have few months here left, I'm just trying to make the best of it."

Burbridge is now appearing on the NFL scouting radar after a monster performance against the Falcons.

Cook grounded

For the first time all season, the Spartan offensive line gave up a sack. Cook saw a surprising amount of pressure, taking three sacks.

However, Cook said it felt good to finally get hit. He said that it will help prepare him for the rest of the season. 

"It makes you feel like a football player, you know?," Cook said. "I think I needed to get hit like this, it gets you ready for (rest of) the season, it allows you to take more hits and not be as sore."

Bullough may miss time

On a play late in the fourth quarter, senior linebacker Riley Bullough was called for targeting and ejected for the remainder of the game.

Bullough will miss the first half of next week's game against Central Michigan unless the NCAA determines the helmet-to-helmet contact was not intentional when they review it.

"In my mind I was (just covering the play)," Bullough said. "But, I guess the rules have changed so if that's how it's going to be I'm going to have to adapt."

Record Showing

Cook tied his record for most touchdowns thrown with four. Cook finished the day 15-of-23 for 247 yards and four touchdown passes.

Burbridge tied the record for most receiving touchdowns by a Spartan receiver with three. The last to do it was former MSU wide receiver B.J. Cunningham in 2011.