Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III Wins 2021 Doak Walker Award
Dec 10, 2021
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, right, rushes against Penn State's Kalen King (4) and Ji'Ayir Brown (16) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III is the winner of the 2021 Doak Walker Award, which recognizes the best RB in college football.
Walker beat out finalists in junior Breece Hall of Iowa State and senior Tyler Badie of Missouri.
Walker had the best season of his collegiate career in 2021, entering Saturday's regular-season finale against Penn State with 1,614 yards (second in FBS) and 18 touchdowns (T-3rd in FBS) on the ground in addition to 13 catches for 89 yards and a score.
The 21-year-old transferred to Michigan State after two years at Wake Forest. He's racked up more rushing yards in his one season with the Spartans than he did in two seasons with the Demon Deacons.
Walker was also named a finalist for the Maxwell Award, which is given to the nation’s best overall player. Brandon Van Pelt is the only Spartan to ever win the Maxwell Award, doing so in 1972.
No Michigan State player had ever won the Doak Walker Award until this year.
Walker overcame some stiff competition for this award.
Hall had one of the best seasons of his collegiate career in 2021, rushing for 1,464 yards (fifth in FBS) and 20 touchdowns (T-1st FBS) on 253 carries in 12 games. He also caught 36 passes for 302 yards and three scores.
Badie had the best season of his collegiate career in 2021, rushing for a career-high 1,604 yards (third in FBS) and 14 touchdowns (T-6th FBS) on 268 carries in addition to 54 catches for 330 yards and four scores.
Kenneth Walker III, No. 12 Michigan State Hold off Jahan Dotson, Penn State 30-27
Nov 27, 2021
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, right, slips out of bounds on a run against Penn State's Kalen King (4) and Ji'Ayir Brown (16) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Coming off two losses in their previous three games, the Michigan State Spartans got back on track in Saturday's regular-season finale with a 30-27victory over Penn State at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State entered November looking like a potential College Football Playoff contender with an 8-0 record. Things took a sharp turn with a loss to Purdue on Nov. 6, and the bottom dropped out with last week's 56-7 defeat against Ohio State.
The Nittany Lions entered this week also trying to right the ship after a rough stretch. They have lost five of their last seven games after a 5-0 start. The previous four losses came by a total of 18 points.
Snowy weather certainly played a role in the game, especially for Penn State. The Nittany Lions were held to 61 rushing yards on 26 attempts. Kicker Jordan Stout missed his only field-goal attempt and one of his three extra-point opportunities.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Walker III had no problems finding openings in the snow. The Spartans running back finished with 138 rushing yards and one touchdown on 30 carries.
Both quarterbacks, though, had success throwing the ball. Penn State's Sean Clifford racked up 313 yards and three touchdowns. Michigan State's Payton Thorne finished with 268 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Thorne's 20-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed on 4th-and-15 with 5:10 remaining was the difference in the game.
Penn State did get a late score from Parker Washington to cut the deficit to three points, but Spartans recovered the onside kick to end the game.
Kenneth Walker III (MSU): 30 carries, 138 yards, TD
Jayden Reed (MSU): 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD
Sean Clifford (PSU): 23-of-34, 313 yards, 3 TD
Jahan Dotson (PSU): 8 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD
Keyvone Lee (PSU): 15 carries, 79 yards
Walker Boosts Heisman Resume in Spartans' Win
There's an argument that Walker was the Heisman favorite coming into Saturday's slate of games. The junior entered this week with 1,597 yards from scrimmage and 18 total touchdowns in 11 games.
To no one's surprise, Michigan State fed the ball to its star running back early in the game. He carried the ball four times out of eight plays on the team's first possession, including a touchdown from two yards out.
After Penn State pinned the Spartans at their own one-yard line following a punt, Walker gave the offense plenty of breathing room with a 35-yard run on first down. He followed that up with a 15-yard scamper on the next play.
Kenneth Walker never misses a hole when it’s there. Vision and burst is unreal.
Michigan State drove 99 yards on nine plays to take a 14-0 lead with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Just when it looked like a blowout was on the horizon, the Spartans' unreliable defense allowed Penn State to get back in the game. Then, Daequan Hardy picked off Thorne and took the ball to the house to put the Nittany Lions up 20-17 in the third quarter.
Mel Tucker went back to the ground game on the ensuing possession to get the Spartans back on top. Walker once again started the drive with a big play, gaining 27 yards to get the ball in Penn State territory.
After the Nittany Lions defense kept Walker out of the end zone on back-to-back runs near the goal line, Thorne called his own number on 3rd-and-goal from the one for the score.
Clinging to a 23-20 lead late in the fourth quarter, Tucker's decision to go for it on 4th-and-15 from Penn State's 20-yard line rather than attempting a field goal in the driving snow turned out to be the difference.
Thorne just threw a jump ball to Reed, who was facing single coverage in the end zone. The Spartans wide receiver came down with it to extend the lead to 10 with 5:10 to play.
Walker certainly wasn't the only Spartans player creating big plays in this game, but he was the center of everything they did. They ran 77 total plays on offense, with Walker carrying the ball 30 times.
The Heisman Trophy race is far from settled, especially with Ohio State losing and Alabama struggling against Auburn on Saturday. Walker's resume this season is as strong as any of the top contenders. His 138-yard performance in poor weather conditions could be enough to catapult him to the top of the ballot.
Key Mistakes Doom Penn State's Upset Hopes
In a year that's been defined by missed opportunities and crucial mistakes in big moments, it's only fitting that Penn State would make several errors in the regular-season finale.
The issues began on the Nittany Lions' first offensive possession when Keyvone Lee was stopped short of the sticks on 3rd-and-2. James Franklin elected to punt the ball away from his own 47-yard line rather than go for it on 4th-and-1.
It seemed like a wise decision since Penn State downed the ball at the Spartans' one-yard line, but the defense gave up 99 yards on nine plays to go down by two touchdowns.
Penn State did respond with a 68-yard scoring drive of its own, capped off by Jahan Dotson's 27-yard touchdown reception from Sean Clifford.
Advice: Stay for the sweet replays of Jahan Dotson's latest TD. 💯
Each of the next three drives by both teams ended in punts before Penn State was able to get in the end zone again to tie the score. Dotson once again made the big play with a 30-yard catch for his second touchdown of the game.
Hardy's pick-six in the third quarter could have turned the game in the Nittany Lions' favor. They took their first lead at that point, but a missed extra point kept the score at 20-17.
The missed extra point was the second missed opportunity of the game for Penn State. Jordan Stout missed a 27-yard field goal right before halftime that would have tied the score at 17.
After Michigan State went back on top 23-20, Penn State was faced with a 4th-and-1 from the Spartans' 16-yard line. Franklin chose to go for it rather than have Stout attempt a 33-yard field goal.
Keyvone Lee was stopped short of the first-down marker, giving Michigan State possession early in the fourth quarter.
Penn State's defense did force a punt, but the offense again made a blunder when Lee fumbled the ball away. Drew Beesley recovered to help set up the decisive touchdown for the Spartans.
The reason Penn State's season fell apart is because of miscues and turnovers. The defense gave up a 44-yard touchdown to Nico Ragaini midway through the fourth quarter in a 23-20 loss to Iowa.
Illinois held Penn State to 18 points in a game that featured nine overtimes. The offense had to settle for a field goal in the red zone after forcing a fourth-quarter turnover against Michigan. That allowed the Wolverines to drive 75 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in a 21-17 win.
Saturday's loss was a perfect microcosm of everything that has gone wrong for Franklin's squad down the stretch in 2021.
What's Next?
Penn State and Michigan State will learn which bowl game they will play in after the CFP field is announced on Dec. 5.
This article will be updated to
provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
Report: Michigan State Dealing With 'Pretty Bad' Flu Outbreak Before Penn State Game
Nov 27, 2021
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 17: Helmets of the Michigan State Spartans during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
The No. 12 Michigan State Spartans are reportedly dealing with a flu outbreak ahead of their home game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday.
According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, a source described the outbreak as "pretty bad" and said players on both sides of the ball have been diagnosed with the flu daily leading up to the regular-season finale.
Rittenberg noted that the offensive and defensive lines have been impacted, as has the quarterback group and other positions.
The expectation is that "some" of those battling the flu will likely try to play through the illness as the 9-2 Spartans look to clinch a double-digit-win season.
Per The Action Network (h/t Rittenberg), MSU could be without six to eight starters for Saturday's Big Ten clash.
The Spartans have made big strides this season, posting their best record since going 10-3 in 2017. Michigan State went 7-6 in 2018 and 2019, and went just 2-5 last season, marking its worst winning percentage (.286) since going 3-8 in 1991.
Last season was Mel Tucker's first as head coach of the Spartans after he took over for Mark Dantonio, and this season he has solidified his status as the one to guide Michigan State football into the future.
Since starting the season 8-0, the Spartans have struggled, posting a 40-29 loss to Purdue and a 56-7 defeat at the hands of No. 2 Ohio State.
Michigan State did score a massive 37-33 win over rival Michigan, however, which represents the Wolverines' only loss of the season entering play Saturday.
Penn State is unranked and is 7-4, but the Nittany Lions own wins over Wisconsin and Auburn and could be a threat to the Spartans on Saturday, especially if MSU is missing some key players.
Mel Tucker, Michigan State Reportedly Agree to 10-Year, $95M Contract
Nov 25, 2021
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker greets wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Michigan State Spartans and football head coach Mel Tucker have completed a 10-year, $95 million contract extension, per Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News.
Word that the deal is in the works has been in the news for a week. Last Wednesday, Inside the Locker Room podcast hosts Brian Mosallam and Jason Strayhorn (h/t the Detroit Free Press' Chris Solari and David Jesse) reported that MSU alumni Mat Ishbia and Steve St. Andre would provide private funding for the deal. University sources confirmed that news to Solari and Jesse.
Per Charboneau, private funding takes care of the "bulk of the contract."
According to the USA Today college football coach salary database, this deal would make Tucker the second-highest-paid college football coach behind only Alabama's Nick Saban ($9.753 million). Tucker's robust annual average value makes him one of the richest coaches in the country across all American sports.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker’s new $9.5 million salary makes him one of the 11 highest-paid coaches *in all of American sports* per @Sportico data.
The deal also makes Tucker the highest-paid Black head coach in American sports, per Charboneau.
Tucker's 2021 season is the second year of a five-season deal that would pay him just under $5.5 million per campaign.
Under his guidance, the Spartans went 2-5 last year before bouncing back with a 9-2 overall mark (6-2 Big Ten) this season.
MSU started the 2021 campaign 8-0, earning the No. 3 spot in the initial College Football Playoff ranking. The Spartans have since lost to Purdue, beaten Maryland and fallen to Ohio State, and they rank No. 12 in the nation.
Tucker, who turns 50 years old in January, joined Michigan State after one year at Colorado, where he led the Buffaloes to a 5-7 record. His resume includes stops with three NFL teams as their defensive coordinator (Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars).
He was also an assistant head coach/defensive backs coach for Alabama in 2015 and Georgia's defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2018.
CJ Stroud Makes Heisman Race Statement as No. 4 Ohio State Routs No. 7 Michigan State
Nov 20, 2021
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 20: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave #2 celebrates a touchdown during the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on November 20, 2021. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes have the best wide receivers in college football this season, and maybe the best quarterback, too. Just ask Michigan State.
C.J. Stroud and the receiving trio of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba smoked the No. 7 Spartans (9-2) on Saturday, leading the way in Ohio State's 56-7 blowout home win, a result that has huge implications in the Big Ten title race.
Ohio State's three-headed monster at wideout combined for 24 catches, 371 yards and five scores. Borderline comical production. And by the time the first half mercifully ended, with the Buckeyes up 49-0, Stroud had already thrown for 393 yards and six touchdowns.
6TDs 400yds 2 incompletions in the first half Lolol 😂
There are blowouts, and then there are blowouts. This was certainly the latter.
The win moved the Buckeyes to 10-1 and 8-0 in the Big Ten. They are a victory away from winning the Big Ten East and earning a berth in the Big Ten title game, though Michigan (9-1, 6-1) looms next week. Michigan State's conference title hopes and College Football Playoff aspirations have vanished, however.
Key Stats
C.J. Stroud, OSU: 32-of-35 for 432 yards and six touchdowns
Chris Olave, OSU: Seven catches for 140 yards and two scores
Garrett Wilson, OSU: Seven catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns
Payton Thorne, MSU: 14-of-36 for 158 yards and a score
Kenneth Walker III, MSU: Six carries for 25 yards; one catch for four yards
Keon Coleman, MSU: Three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown
C.J. Stroud Has to Be the Heisman Favorite After Saturday's Performance
Stroud didn't even need to have a statement game against Michigan State. He said all he needed to say in the first half.
There's no doubt he'll be the unquestioned leader in the clubhouse for this year's Heisman Trophy after Saturday's performance. Unless he lays an absolute egg next week against Michigan, the hardware should be his.
One of Stroud's primary competitors for the Heisman coming into the matchup was Walker. But after being a non-factor against the Ohio State defense, Walker likely will fade from contention. This appears to be a race between Stroud and Alabama's Bryce Young now.
MSU's Pass Defense Cost Them Everything This Season
Coming into Saturday, Michigan State was giving up 329 passing yards per game, the worst mark in the nation. Against Ohio State's incredibly deadly passing game, those deficiencies were more than exposed.
For most of the season, Michigan State has weathered the storm. But in losses to Purdue (536 passing yards allowed) and Ohio State (449 passing yards allowed), the Spartans couldn't find shelter.
It didn't help that Michigan State's offense failed to do anything against Ohio State and never established Walker and the run game. A bit of ball control certainly would have helped.
But this game was lost by Michigan State's complete inability to defend the pass. When these players and coaches reflect upon this season in the future, they'll lament that particular Achilles' heel.
What's Next?
The big one. Ohio State travels to Michigan next Saturday at noon ET, with absolutely everything on the line for both teams. Michigan State will look to stay in the running for a solid bowl game when it hosts Penn State next Saturday (time TBD).
Mel Tucker: Michigan State Is a 'Destination Job' amid 10-Year, $95M Contract Rumors
Nov 18, 2021
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker is seen during warmups before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker is set to sign a historic 10-year, $95 million contract extension, per Chris Solari and David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press, and says he never intended to use the program as a steppingstone toward a more prominent position.
"I made it clear in my initial press conferences that I thought that Michigan State was a destination job and not a steppingstone," Tucker told The Draymond Green Show. "Obviously, I have Big Ten roots. ... This is where I started my career in 1997 as a graduate assistant for Nick Saban, so Michigan State is a special place for me. It was never my intention to come here and just pass through."
The contract extension would make Tucker college football's second-highest-paid coach behind Nick Saban.
"He's a veritable magician," board member Rema Vassar said of Tucker, per Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News. "He's come through, and we have seen unprecedented increases in student applications after his wins. He has rejuvenated us, our alumni and donors. He brought us back from COVID and united us. We want to keep the momentum going."
Tucker is 11-6 in two seasons at Michigan State, including a 9-1 mark in 2021. The Spartans sit seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Saturday's game against fourth-ranked Ohio State. Michigan State has not made the playoff since 2015 and finished outside the Top 25 in four of the last five years.
The long-term commitment from the Spartans is a bit surprising given Tucker is in just his third season as a head coach, two of which were losing campaigns. He spent one season at Colorado, going 5-7 in 2019, before arriving in East Lansing.
Report: Mel Tucker, Michigan State Working on 10-year, $95m Contract Amid LSU Buzz
Nov 17, 2021
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans yells out to his players in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium on November 13, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Mel Tucker's success with Michigan State in 2021 has put him in a prime position to potentially get a lucrative raise.
Per Chris Solari and David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press, Michigan State is preparing a 10-year, $95 million contract extension for the 49-year-old.
This comes after ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reported last month that Tucker was considered a candidate to replace Ed Orgeron as LSU's head coach.
Tucker, who was a defensive backs coach on Nick Saban's staff at LSU in 2000, has brushed aside any questions about the Tigers rumors.
"My focus is on the upcoming game against the school down the road," Tucker told reporters on Oct. 25. "That's where my concentration and my focus is, and I really appreciate you understanding that."
Solari and Jesse noted the extension will make Tucker the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten with an average annual salary of $9.5 million.
Per Asher Low of Badgers Wire, Ohio State's Ryan Day is currently the highest-paid head coach in the conference with a $6,614,693 salary in 2021.
Tucker got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant with Michigan State in 1997 when Saban was with the program. He bounced around between college and the NFL, including a five-game stint as interim head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011.
After going 5-7 in his lone season with the Buffaloes, Tucker resigned in order to take the same job at Michigan State. He has led the Spartans to a 9-1 record this season. They are No. 7 in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Saturday's marquee matchup with Ohio State.
CFP Chairman Backs Michigan Being Ranked over MSU Despite Spartans' Rivalry Win
Nov 10, 2021
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 06: Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins (25) makes a cut on a good run during the Michigan Wolverines vs Indiana Hoosiers game on Saturday November 6, 2021 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The latest edition of the College Football Playoff rankings was revealed Tuesday, and there was a curious decision by the selection committee.
Despite losing to rival Michigan State earlier this season, the Michigan Wolverines were ranked No. 6 ahead of the Spartans at No. 7. CFP chairman Gary Barta defended the decision.
"At the end of the day, we thought Michigan was a better team and deserved to be ranked ahead of Michigan State," he said, per columnist Bryan Fischer.
The Spartans (8-1) were the only team ranked in the Top Five last week to lose Saturday, falling 40-29 to Purdue. Despite the expected tumble down the rankings, their impressive 37-33 comeback win over the Wolverines on Oct. 30 was expected to give them the upper hand in the eyes of the selection committee.
Barta added that there was substantial debate among the committee regarding Michigan and Michigan State, saying that decision alone took "maybe a half hour." He went on to say that the committee gave strong consideration to the Spartans' win.
"The consensus is that Michigan is a more complete team… That said, the committee gave great credence to the Michigan State win," Barta said.
Michigan (8-1) bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 29-7 win over Indiana on Saturday. The Wolverines shut out the Hoosiers in the second half.
The 9-0 Georgia Bulldogs remained atop the CFP rankings followed by Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State, which all have 8-1 records. Cincinnati (9-0) moved up to No. 5, the highest ranking for a Group of Five team, but is still chasing that elusive spot in the Top Four.
The Wolverines will travel to face Penn State this Saturday, while the Spartans will host Maryland.
Mel Tucker Says Michigan State's Goals Are Ahead of Them After Upset Loss vs. Purdue
Nov 7, 2021
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 30: Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker paces the sideline during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines on October 30, 2021 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The No. 3 Michigan State Spartans suffered a disappointing 40-29 loss to the unranked Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, but head coach Mel Tucker is ready to move on from the defeat.
"All of our goals are ahead of us," Tucker said, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren. "We're going to block out all the noise, we're going to circle the wagons. The most important voices are going to be the voices inside of our building. And then we're going to go back to work and get ready for Maryland. That's what we got to do."
He added: "We're going to own it — give those guys credit where credit is due. They beat us, and we need to execute better at a higher level."
The Spartans were outplayed on each side of the ball Saturday. Boilermakers quarterback Aiden O'Connell completed 40-of-54 passes for 536 yards and three touchdowns, compared to Spartans signal-caller Payton Thorne, who completed 20-of-30 passes for 276 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Spartans allowed Purdue to convert on 11-of-18 third downs, compared to Michigan State's offense, which went 6-of-13 on third down. The Michigan State defense also allowed 9.9 yards per pass.
Tucker also told reporters after the game that he'll need to review film to decipher why his defense struggled a lot against Purdue:
"What's next? That's what's most important," Tucker said. "What's next? We have to get on the film, get the courage to understand why. We need to get those things fixed, and then we need to get ready for Maryland. And that's the only thing there is to do."
The Michigan State defense entered Saturday's game as one of the worst in the Big Ten, allowing 424.6 yards per game. However, the team's offense ranked within the top five, averaging 444.6 yards per game.
Despite Saturday's loss, the Spartans still have a chance to make the College Football Playoff. Beating Ohio State later this month would be huge for Michigan State, and winning the Big Ten would be the team's best chance at returning to CFP contention.
In addition to Ohio State, the Spartans are also set to face Maryland next weekend and AP No. 22 Penn State in their regular-season finale on Nov. 27.
Kenneth Walker III, No. 3 Michigan State Upset by Purdue for 1st Loss of Season
Nov 6, 2021
Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) makes a catch for a touchdown against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell completed 40-of-54 passes for 536 yards and three touchdowns as the unranked Boilermakers upset the No. 3 Michigan State Spartans 40-29 on Saturday.
Wide receiver David Bell caught 11 passes for 217 yards and one score to pace the Boilermaker passing attack. Jackson Anthrop added six receptions for 80 yards and one score.
The Boilermaker possessed the ball for 35:13 en route to its dominant offensive performance.
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III had 156 total yards and one touchdown to lead the Spartan offense. Quarterback Payton Thorne had three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) to go along with 323 yards (276 passing, 47 rushing) and an interception.
Tre Mosley caught both of Thorne's touchdowns en route to three catches and 44 yards.
Michigan State played without wideout Jalen Nailor and left tackle Jarrett Horst, per Matt Wenzel of MLive.com.
Thorne's 32-yard touchdown run and the ensuing point-after attempt tied the game at 21 in the third quarter.
Purdue responded with 16 consecutive points thanks to a King Doerue one-yard touchdown run and a trio of Mitchell Fineran field goals.
Thorne found Mosley for an 11-yard touchdown in response, and the signal-caller's pass to Maliq Carr for a two-point conversion made the score 37-29 in Purdue's favor with 5:03 left.
The Boilermakers then shut the door on Michigan State's comeback attempt with a 10-play, 76-yard drive capped by a Fineran 22-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining. The drive started with an O'Connell pass to Doerue for 46 yards.
Purdue moved to 6-3 overall (4-2 Big Ten). The Spartans fell to 8-1 (5-1 Big Ten).
Purdue's passing game controlled this contest, and a trick play helped swing momentum firmly in its favor.
Michigan State ended up tying the game, but Purdue's passing attack kept the Spartans on their heels. Bell played a big part in that effort, as he continued his collegiate dominance:
🚨 RECORD-BREAKER 🚨@DB3LL now with 15 career 100-yard games -- a new Purdue school record.
On defense, Purdue did give up 29 points, but that group came up strong when needed the most. After MSU tied the game at 21, the Boilermakers forced a pair of punts and forced Thorne to throw an interception to Dedrick Mackey from 4th-and-goal on the Purdue nine-yard line with 9:12 left:
That proved true in the second half as Purdue slowed down the No. 3 Spartans just enough for the two-score win.
With that, Purdue notched its second win over a Top Five opponent this season. The Boilermakers beat No. 4 Iowa 24-7 on Oct. 16.
Purdue has a habit of beating Top Five Teams as an unranked underdog, as ESPN Stats & Info noted:
Purdue now has 17 wins against AP top 5 opponents as an unranked team. No other team has more than 11 such wins in the AP Poll Era (since 1936). pic.twitter.com/aA1rt4iVAD
Purdue will have another chance to knock off a top-ranked opponent when it visits No. 5 Ohio State next Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Michigan State will host Maryland at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
