Michigan State University
Purdue
Michigan State Halts Purdue's Run, 23-13
10/27/2018 3:56:00 PM | Football
AP Sports Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Rocky Lombardi threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns in his first start for Michigan State, and the Spartans halted Purdue's four-game win streak, beating the Boilermakers 23-13 on Saturday.
With Brian Lewerke out with a shoulder injury, Lombardi guided the offense, and Michigan State (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) didn't hold back. The redshirt freshman attempted 46 passes and avoided any big mistakes. Matt Coghlin kicked three field goals, and the Spartans held on defensively toward the end.
Michigan State's Mike Panasiuk blocked a field goal with 3:42 remaining, and Jalen Nailor broke free for a 48-yard touchdown reception to put the Spartans up 23-13 with 1:58 to play.
David Blough threw for 277 yards for Purdue, but he was intercepted three times, including once while the Boilermakers (4-4, 3-2) were in field goal range in the fourth quarter.
Michigan State has won eight straight games in this series.
Purdue was coming off a 49-20 win over Ohio State, but the Boilermakers missed too many opportunities against the Spartans. On fourth-and-3 from the Michigan State 44 in the final quarter, Blough completed a pass to Rondale Moore, who was tackled short of the line to gain.
Later, Blough threw to Brycen Hopkins near the Michigan State 20, but Hopkins took a hard hit from Tyriq Thompson of the Spartans and lost the ball. Thompson grabbed it before it hit the ground for an interception with 10:02 to play.
Spencer Evans had a chance to tie it with a 41-yard kick, but Panasiuk got a piece of it.
Lombardi's first touchdown pass came with 56 seconds left in the first half - an 11-yarder to Darrell Stewart. The Spartans led 16-6 before Terry Wright's 1-yard scoring run late in the third brought Purdue within three.
UP NEXT
Purdue: The Boilermakers host No. 18 Iowa next Saturday in a game that could have major implications in the Big Ten West race.
Michigan State: The Spartans play at Maryland next weekend.
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