For Michigan State, Northern Colorado was just what the doctor ordered.

Wearing a “D” on their helmets in honor of recovering coach Mark Dantonio, the Spartans jumped on the Bears early and didn’t let up in a 45-7 win.

The No. 23 Spartans intercepted four passes and accumulated 528 yards of total offense as they improved to 4-0. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was near perfect, completing 16 of 20 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns and Le’Veon Bell ran for three scores.

With Dantonio resting at home after suffering a heart attack last week, offensive coordinator Don Treadwell filled in admirably. The Spartans didn’t miss a beat as they scored touchdowns on five of seven possessions in the first half to take a 35-0 lead. Brian Linthicum and Larry Caper were on the receiving end of Cousins’ touchdowns.

Spartans’ linebacker Greg Jones set up their first score. On the Bears' first possession, the All American intercepted a Dylan Orms pass and returned it 34 yards to the Bears’ five yard line and on the next play, Edwin Baker ran in for the score. Bell led all rushers with 93 yards on 11 carries.

The win over the Bears, from the Football Championship Subdivision, sets up next week’s Big Ten matchup with No. 10 Wisconsin.