Michigan State University
7-6
Oregon
9-4
Michigan State Edged By Oregon, 7-6, in Redbox Bowl
12/31/2018 7:42:00 PM | Football
Associated Press
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Justin Herbert shook off a sluggish day and threw a touchdown pass to Dillon Mitchell in the fourth quarter, and Oregon held on for a 7-6 victory over Michigan State in the Redbox Bowl on Monday.
Herbert passed for 166 yards and extended his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 28 on a day when the Ducks' offense mostly sputtered.
Oregon (9-4) crossed midfield only three times and couldn't get into the end zone until Herbert found Mitchell in the right front of the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown. The Ducks' defense held up from there but got some help from Michigan State's special teams.
The Spartans were lined up for a 50-yard field goal attempt when quarterback Brian Lewerke, who doubles as the holder, bobbled the snap, then attempted to run before hurriedly throwing an incompletion near the sideline.
After Michigan State's defense forced a three-and-out on the following possession, the Spartans took over at their own 42, but Lewerke's long pass on 4th-and-12 was knocked down by Oregon cornerback Thomas Graham.
Lewerke completed 22 of 40 passes for 172 yards with one interception. It's the third time in four games that Michigan State (7-6) has failed to score a touchdown.
Running back LJ Scott ran for 84 yards on 24 carries, ending his injury-riddled season with the Spartans on a high note after being limited to five games. The senior running back declined to redshirt this year and declared for the NFL draft in early December.
Matt Coghlin kicked a pair of 34-yard field goals but he also missed one from 50.
It was Oregon's first bowl victory since beating Florida State in the 2015 Rose Bowl.
UP NEXT
Michigan State: The Spartans will have to find someone to take over for Scott, who went into the day 10th in school history for rushing yards. The good news is that a majority of the starters on both sides are returning, including Lewerke. Michigan State begins 2019 with a home game against Tulsa on Aug. 31.
Oregon: Herbert recently announced his decision to forgo the NFL draft and return for his senior season, so that settles one big issue for Cristobal's team. Nearly the entire defense is back as well, so the foundation is set for the Ducks, who open next season at Auburn on Aug. 31.
Team Stats
MSU 3, ORE 0
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 34 yd field goal 12 plays, 64 yards, TOP 4:59
MSU 6, ORE 0
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 34 yd field goal 8 plays, 31 yards, TOP 3:30
MSU 6, ORE 7
ORE - Mitchell, D. 28 yd pass from Herbert, Justin (Stack, Adam kick) 6 plays, 77 yards, TOP 1:40
