Michigan State football leads nation in time of possession during week one

Michigan State recorded the highest time of possession in the country during the opening weekend of the 2026 college football season. The Spartans held the ball for 43:16 during their 30-20 season-opening victory against Toledo. While the team controlled the clock for nearly 75% of the game, the offense relied heavily on field goals, which kept the contest within striking distance for the Rockets until the fourth quarter. The victory required a late comeback to secure the final result. Other notable Big Ten statistical performances from week one include UCLA scoring six rushing touchdowns against Cal, Indiana posting 52 points on 46 plays, and Northwestern averaging 9.0 yards per play. Michigan State aims to improve its red-zone conversion rate to turn its time-of-possession advantage into more frequent touchdowns throughout the remainder of the season.

• 2:28 PMYahoo Sports — MSU football led country in notable statistic during Week 1