Michigan State football impresses with eighth straight win over Purdue

Michigan State football has won its eighth straight game against the Purdue Boilermakers. What’d we learn from the Spartans’ 23-13 win?

The Spartans bounced back in a big way by defeating the Boilermakers of Purdue at home by a final score of 23-13. Let’s take a look out how it all went down at Spartan Stadium.

Injuries

Even though Brain Lewerke was the placeholder on field goal attempts, he did not play quarterback as Rocky Lombardi started and played in his absence. As expected, receivers Cody White and Felton Davis III did not play as well as both punters Tyler Hunt and Jake Hartbarger. Lineman Matt Allen and David Beedle did not play as well and cornerbacks Josh Butler and Josiah Scott did not see action, either.

The first drive and field goal

After Purdue received the kickoff, Boilermaker quarterback David Blough throw a costly interception to David Dowell at midfield. Michigan State moved the ball into Purdue territory where Matt Coghlin kicked a 43-yard field goal to put Michigan State up 3-0.

Purdue ties it up after costly Spartan turnover

Michigan State’s special teams made a mistake on the punt return when Andre Welch and punt returner Brandon Sowards almost collided resulting in Purdue recovering the ball. Purdue would settle for a Spencer Evans 28-yard field goal.

Michigan State responds

On an 11-play drive, Coghlin would kick a 48-yard field goal. No big plays in the first quarter for the Spartans but they were able to control the time of possession and run and pass the ball to move the chains to get into Purdue territory.

The second quarter, Spartans scores a TD

After Purdue’s Spencer Evans kicked a 35-yarder to tie it up 6-6, the Spartans would respond in a big way. With only 56 seconds left in the first half, Rocky Lombardi found Darrell Stewart Jr. for the 11-yard touchdown pass to put the Spartans up 13-6 at the half.

First TD for Boilermakers after missed Spartan opportunities

After a Coghlin 34-yard field goal and a blocked field goal attempt, Michigan State led 16-6 late in the third quarter but failed to capitalize on opportunities to get into the end zone. However, Purdue would put together an impressive seven-play, 74-yard drive and score a touchdown on a Terry Wright 1-yard run. Michigan State’s lead would only be by three as they went into the fourth quarter up 16-13.

Spartan defense solid in fourth quarter

On fourth-and-3 at Michigan State’s 44-yard line, Blough’s pass was complete to Rondale Moore for only two yards which was not enough for the first down. Then after a Spartan punt, Purdue was at Michigan State’s 22-yard line when Blough pass was intercepted after Tyriq Thompson not only delivered the hit to jar the ball loose but also catching it for an interception. Then the Spartan defense came up huge again when Evans’ 41-yard field goal was blocked by defensive lineman Mike Panasiuk.

Lastly, the Spartans’ defense with under two minutes left sealed the game when Blough was once again intercepted, this time by Matt Morrissey.

Widening the lead

On Michigan State’s 11th drive, a true freshmen came up huge again as he did against Indiana. Rocky Lombardi forward pitched it to Jalen Nailor for a spectacular 48-yard touchdown to put the Spartans up for good 23-13.

Takeaways

Lombardi went 26-for-46 which was a decent passing percentage but what was impressive was that he threw for 318 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. Combined, the Spartans ran for over 100 yards which was not that impressive but they converted key third downs on the ground.

The Spartan defense played their best game of the season and really stepped up by forcing three Purdue turnovers. The Spartans dominated the time of possession and showed that even with all of the injuries, they are still a team that can finish off the season on a strong note.