Michigan State is .500 for the first time since September after beating Rutgers 27-21 in a cold slugfest in East Lansing. The special teams was the difference in the fourth quarter after blocking a field goal and making two field goals which proved to be the difference in the game.
The defense had a strong performance for the second straight week and held Rutgers to 14 points until the final minute of the game. The defense had a number of key stops on third and fourth down to keep Rutgers off the scoreboard despite giving up 460 yards.
Payton Thorne wasn't his best today but threw two nice touchdown passes to Daniel Barker and Jayden Reed, who combined for eight catches and 154 yards. Jalen Berger and Jarek Broussard carried the bulk of the offensive load on the ground, running for 163 yards on 26 combined carries and Berger powered in a touchdown in the second quarter.
The win moves Michigan State to 5-5 on the year and one game from bowl eligibility. A win over Indiana next week means the Spartans will play postseason football.
0:46 4Q: MSU recovered the onside kick and kneeled out the clock.
Rutgers adds last-second touchdown
0:47 4Q: On fourth and forever, Wimsatt found Jones in double coverage in the endzone to keep Rutgers alive. The Scarlet Knights need the onside kick to complete the miracle.
Patton hits second field goal to put MSU up 13
3:28 4Q: MSU stuck to conservative play calls to burn Rutgers' timeouts and attempted a 47-yard field goal. Patton nailed the kick to give MSU a 13-point lead.
4:54 4Q: Aaron Brule was able to get to Wimsatt off the edge for a fourth down sack in Rutgers territory to stop the Scarlet Knights' last chance.
MSU makes 3rd field goal of the year for 10-point lead
6:28 4Q: MSU kicker Ben Patton made his second field goal of the season to give the Spartans a 10-point lead entering the final seven minutes.
9:17 4Q: A six-minute Rutgers drive ended with zero points after Michigan State blocked the Scarlet Knights' field goal to keep them off the board. Jacob Slade blew up the line and got his hand on the kick and Ameer Speed returned it to midfield.
0:33 3Q: Payton Thorne missed two more throws and MSU went three-and-out.
Rutgers cuts deficit to one score entering 4th quarter
1:30 3Q: Rutgers quickly moved down the field thanks to wide receiver Aron Cruickshank's 28-yard catch and 25- reverse to get the ball to the MSU one-yard line. Backup quarterback Johnny Langan finished off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
4:53 3Q: Michigan State couldn't convert on fourth down in Rutgers territory again after an errant throw from Thorne. The Scarlet Knights took over at its 31.
8:53 3Q: The great day for MSU's defense continued with another three-and-out for Rutgers after only gaining five yards.
Thorne and Reed connect to give MSU 21-7 lead
10:34 3Q: Thorne had his two best throws of the game on back-to-back plays to his favorite target, Reed, to spark a two-minute touchdown drive that spanned 86 yards. Thorne delivered a perfect strike to Reed in Cover 2 pocket down the field to get MSU across midfield then found him again two plays later on a deep post for a 25-yard touchdown.
13:00 3Q: Michigan State's defense forced a quick punt to start the second half.
MSU retakes lead on Berger's TD
2:05 2Q: Michigan State answered the Rutgers counter punch with a slow, methodical drive powered by the running game and a jaw-dropping 35-yard catch from Jayden Reed. Jalen Berger eventually powered his way at the goal line to give MSU a seven-point lead again.
Rutgers ties it at 7 in 2Q
5:52 2Q: The Scarlet Knight offense finally put together a complete drive and marched down the field to level the game. Gavin Wimsatt finished the drive with an 18-yard completion to Aaron Young for a touchdown. Michigan State struggled to defend the run and quick passes and Rutgers was finally able to capitalize for points.
9:54 2Q: Michigan State had to punt after some errant throws from Thorne stalled the drive.
12:34 2Q: Rutgers was able to pick up a few first downs but were stopped at the MSU 42. MSU will take over at its own five-yard line.
Barker puts MSU up 7-0
1:10 1Q: Daniel Barker's third reception of the first quarter went for six points after he split the Rutgers zone defense down the middle to break free for a 26-yard touchdown. Thorne hit him in stride for the easy score to give MSU a 7-0 lead.
4:13 1Q: The Rutgers offense could not get anything going on its second drive and punted again.
5:18 1Q: Michigan State ran the ball at will on the Rutgers defense on its way to the red zone. The Spartans, however, could not convert a fourth and one after Payton Thorne missed a wide-open Tyler Hunt on a play action and walk away with no points.
9:36 1Q: Rutgers picked up two first downs thanks to runs but punted from midfield. MSU will take over at its own seven-yard line.
12:28 1Q: Michigan State started with the ball and picked up a first down and moved the ball into Rutgers territory before the offense lost its way and was forced to punt. Jayden Reed left the game with an injury after hitting the ground hard trying to make a contested catch.
Pregame
Michigan State enters the battle with Rutgers after notching its biggest win of the season last week after taking down then-No. 16 Illinois on the road. The win came in the face of intense self-made adversity as the Spartans were without eight defensive players because of suspension, but still managed to shut down Chase Brown and the Illini. The win kept Michigan State's bowl hopes alive and needs to win two of its last three games to reach the postseason.
The Spartan defense came alive for its best performance of the season despite the number of players missing. Sound tackling, Illinois mistakes and a key turnover forced by Xavier Henderson were enough to make the difference in a game being played in 40 mph wind. The offense continued to have its hiccups in the tough conditions but were able to manufacture enough drives through running the ball to put up 23 points.
The first of the three games come at home against Rutgers, which is also 4-5 and looking to find its way into a bowl game. The Scarlet Knights have struggled mightily in Big Ten play and have dropped two straight by a combined 66 points. Rutgers only averages 19.8 points per game on offense, good for 12th-best in the conference, and surrenders nearly 26 points per game. Michigan State was able to beat Rutgers on the road last year thanks to a career performance from Jalen Nailor.
Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Jared Ramsey.
Rutgers at Michigan State
▶ Kickoff: Noon, Saturday, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
▶ TV/radio: Big Ten/760
▶ Line: MSU by 12
▶ Records: Rutgers 4-5 (1-5 Big Ten); Michigan State 4-5 (2-4 Big Ten)
▶ Series: Michigan State leads 9-4 (Last game: October 9, 2021 — Michigan State 31, (at) Rutgers 13)
