Michigan State scrapes by Purdue, 24-17, to keep bowl hopes alive

On By Littum

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East Lansing — Michigan State’s bowl dreams live another day.

In a cold game Friday night at Spartan Stadium, the Michigan State football team (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) cruised to a 24-17 victory over Purdue (1-10, 0-8). What started as a strong performance against the Big Ten’s worst team turned into a game that was far too close for comfort for the Spartans given all that was at stake.

“Obviously happy to find a way to win a game,” Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said. “… Giving up 17 points and having two turnovers defensively, that’s a solid effort. Offensively, we have to play for four quarters again, and we want to do better.”

The first half went like a checklist of all the areas the Spartans have needed improvement this season. The pass rush snapped his six-game streak without a sack. It also forced its first turnover since Week 8. The offense scored a touchdown on its first drive for the first time since Week 3. And red zone issues — what about them? The Spartans scored a touchdown all three times they made it.

The first half also saw a scare. On the first drive, tight end Jack Velling took a hard hit from Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman, and medical personnel from both teams rushed in to treat him. He left the field on his spine, but gave the crowd and his teammates a thumbs up as the cart took him off. A Michigan State spokesman said he was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Led by a rushing and receiving touchdown by running back Nate Carter, plus a receiving score by receiver Montorie Foster Jr., Michigan State scored on all four of its first-half drives to build a 24-3 lead.

It didn’t last long.

Purdue’s offense roared to life in the second half. A 2-yard rushing touchdown by running back Devin Mockobee created some momentum. Then a big third-and-21 conversion by receiver Jaron Tibbs set up a receiving touchdown to tight end Max Klare. Suddenly, a dominant lead wasn’t a single possession.

Meanwhile, the Spartans’ attack stagnated. Mind the nasty weather, but 220 total yards in the first half gave way to 73 in the second. Michigan State didn’t score on a single drive, reeling off five straight until the clock ran out to win.

“It’s a little disappointing,” Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles said after a 15-for-31 performance for 159 yards and two touchdowns. “We come out really hot and then in the next half it’s like we’ve never played football before.”

BOX SCORE: Michigan State 24, Purdue 17

This lack of response meant Purdue only pulled closer and closer to even, putting pressure on the Spartans to make a play. After a potentially game-changing interception by linebacker Jordan Turner in the fourth quarter Michigan State got the ball back, the fifth punt put the game in Purdue’s hands — literally.

On Purdue’s final drive, receiver Jahmal Edrine found room wide open on the right side of the field. Nothing stood between him and the end zone but grass and time. But a bobbled pass wasted the opportunity as Edrine headed home.

“Next game,” Turner recalled thinking after the game. “We’re not worried about that. They have to execute and they didn’t, so next game.”

Later in the drive on a critical third down, Tibbs from earlier heroics also dropped what would have been a conversion. Throwing on fourth-and-6 with the game on the line, quarterback Hudson Card threw a ball that hit the ground.

Even then, the game wasn’t really over. Michigan State had to run more than three minutes off the clock and it got lopsided. On a third down scramble by Chiles, officials ruled he stepped out of bounds outside the sticks. The Spartans’ opportunity to close out the win came down to a decisive fourth-and-1.

Chiles ran the ball again on a QB sneak, and even then, Michigan State didn’t have a clear conversion on its hands. The officials had to come out and measure the play and ruled in favor of the Spartans. Jubilation appeared on their sidelines as a sure win was narrow, but a win nonetheless.

This game should have been a more comfortable win – and it was for half a year. But the second half showed so many of the mistakes Michigan State couldn’t afford. Somehow it didn’t lose the battle. And most importantly, the Spartans still have a chance to make a bowl game with a win over Rutgers next Saturday.

“A win is a win at the end of the day,” safety Nikai Martinez said after a five-tackle performance. “It wasn’t how we wanted it to go, but it’s hard to win in college football. So we’re going to celebrate with a win because at the end of the day — after tomorrow — we’re going to wash it out .We have a new opponent.”

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@ConnorEaregood