Recap: MSU staves off IU comeback in 35-21 win
Game leaders
Passing
MSU - Brian Lewerke: 14/25, 213 yds., 2 TDs, 2 INTs
IU - Peyton Ramsey: 32/46, 272 yds., 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing
MSU - Jalen Nailor: 3 atts., 79 yds., TD
IU - Stevie Scott: 11 atts., 18 yds.
Receiving
MSU - Felton Davis: 5 recs., 79 yds.
IU - Whop Philyor: 13 recs., 148 yds., TD
Failure to convert on fourth down officially ends Indiana's hope
Peyton Ramsey is stripped in the pocket on first down but the Hoosiers recover. Ramsey's second- and third-down throws are incomplete. On fourth-and-10, he finds Donavan Hale for a gain of 10.
The officials will review the spot.
After further review, Hale was 2 yards short of the first down marker. Michigan State will get the ball back.
35-21 Michigan State (1:44 4th)
Brian Lewerke takes three consecutive kneel-downs to run out the clock. Michigan State is the winner of the Old Brass Spittoon.
35-21 Michigan State (FINAL)
Indiana gets ball back down two scores
La'Darius Jefferson takes it up the middle for a gain of 4 on first down.
Timeout Indiana (2:33 4th)
Jefferson gets it again on second down and picks up 3 more yards.
Timeout Indiana (2:28 4th)
Jefferson runs for 2 yards on third down.
Timeout Indiana (2:23 4th)
The Spartans fumble it on fourth down and it's recovered by Bryant Fitzgerald at the 41-yard-line.
35-21 Michigan State (2:18 4th)
Simmons pick definitely seals the deal for Michigan State
Indiana will look to keep up its offensive momentum from the 25.
Peyton Ramsey throws to Whop Philyor for 8 yards on first down and hits Mike Majette for 5 yards on second down to make it first-and-10 at the 38-yard-line.
Ramsey sails his next pass over the head of Donavan Hale. Ramsey goes over the middle on second down and is picked off by Antjuan Simmons on a crossing route. Simmons smartly takes a knee after the interception.
35-21 Michigan State (2:38 4th)
Jalen Nailor possibly seals the deal for Michigan State
A fair catch will give Michigan State the ball at the 25.
And just like that, the Spartans have ripped the heart out of Bloomington. Jalen Nailor takes the ball 75 yards on first down for a touchdown to extend Michigan State's lead to two scores.
35-21 Michigan State (3:17 4th)
Indiana pulls within 7 on field goal
Ramsey keeps the snap on first down and gets 6 yards up the middle on first down. He then throws it to Whop Philyor for a gain of 6 and a new set of downs. Andrew Dowell is down on the play, but he's able to walk off under his own power.
It's first-and-10 at the Indiana 37.
Ramsey goes over the middle to Donavan Hale and he fights through three Spartan defenders to gain all 10 yards needed for a first down.
Mike Majette catches a 4-yard pass on first down and J-Shun Harris is targeted for a 9-yard reception on second down. Ramsey has completed eight consecutive passes.
Ramsey is stopped for no gain on first down, but a face mask penalty gives Indiana the ball at the Michigan State 25.
Majette catches a 2-yard pass on first down and Ramsey's second-down throw to Hale is incomplete. Ramsey tries to scramble for the first down but he steps out a handful of yards before the line-to-gain. They'll send Logan Justus out for a 35-yard attempt.
Justus puts it through the uprights to make it a one-score game.
28-21 Michigan State (3:28 4th)
Michigan State gives ball back to Indiana
Laress Nelson calls for a fair catch on the kickoff and Michigan State will get the ball at the 25.
La'Darius Jefferson carries the ball for a gain of 4 on first down. He bounces outside and picks up 6 yards and a first down on the next play.
Lewerke keeps it on first-and-10 at the 35 and goes up the middle for a gain of 5.
Connor Heyward has not returned to the game since his unsportsmanlike penalty in the third quarter.
Lewerke's pass on second down is batted to the turf; both teams receive penalties so they'll redo the snap. Felton Davis drops a pass on second down. It's third-and-5. Lewerke is hit as he throws on third down and his pass falls incomplete.
J-Shun Harris calls for a fair catch at the 25.
28-18 Michigan State (5:56 4th)
We got ourselves a (10-point) ballgame
Whop Philyor makes his 10th catch of the night for a 5-yard gain. Peyton Ramsey rushes for 2 yards on second down to make it third-and-3 at the 17. Philyor uncharacteristically drops an easy catch on third down. Indiana will go for it.
J-Shun Harris shows off a pair of steady hands on fourth down, catching a pass while streaking toward the sideline for a gain of 8 that'll move the chains.
Ramsey completes it to Nick Westbrook on first down for a gain of 9 and gets it to Mike Majette on second down for a 1-yard gain and a first down.
Philyor makes up for his dropped pass, catching a pass on a seam route and turning on the jets for a 65-yard touchdown reception.
Nick Westbrook hauls in the 2-point conversion and it's a 10-point game.
28-18 Michigan State (8:19 4th)
Lewerke throws second pick of game
Jared Smolar's kick is not returned.
Michigan State calls a reverse on first down for a 1-yard gain from Nailor. Lewerke fakes the handoff and finds a hole up the middle for a gain of 13. Michigan State's two longest runs of the game have come from Lewerke.
La'Darius Jefferson gets the ball on first down for a 2-yard rush that'll make it second-and-8 at the 41-yard-line. Michigan State offensive tackle Luke Campbell is down on the field.
Injury timeout
Injury update: Kevin Jarvis and Darrell Stewart have returned to the sideline for Michigan State.
Lewerke keeps it for a gain of 5 that'll keep the clock running and make it third-and-3. Felton Davis catches a pass on the next play for a gain of 10 that'll give the Spartans a first down in Indiana territory.
Connor Heyward stumbles up the middle to the 41-yard-line for a gain of 3 on first down. He catches the pitch on second down and is wrapped up by Jonathan Crawford behind the line for a loss of 1. It's third-and-8. Lewerke goes deep to Cody White; true freshman Cam Jones makes a terrific effort to intercept his pass at the 10-yard-line. So, essentially a punt on third down. And now Jones remains on the ground and will get a visit from the training staff.
28-10 Michigan State (10:17 4th)
Indiana settles for field goal deep in Spartan territory
Peyton Ramsey completes a pass to Austin Dorris for a gain of 2 on first down and then rushes for 2 more yards on second down to make it third-and-goal from the 3.
End 4th quarter
Ramsey takes it from the shotgun on third down and gets it to Philyor for an Indiana touchdown, but the play is called back for offensive pass interference on Donavan Hale. It'll be third down at the 18-yard-line.
Josh Butler swats a throw to the end zone from Ramsey and Logan Justus will be out to try a 35-yard field goal.
Justus' try is good.
28-10 Michigan State (14:43 4th)
Lewerke makes first mistake of game
Connor Heyward rushes for a gain of 2 on first down. Heyward is called for unsportsmanlike conduct, which will move the Spartans back to the 11-yard-line.
Lewerke's pass on second down is intercepted at the Spartan 7-yard-line. The Hoosiers have life.
28-7 Michigan State (0:39 3rd)
Spartan defense keeping foot on the gas
Allen Stallings was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty on the PAT, which is enforced on the kickoff. Cole Hahn boots it through the end zone.
Stevie Scott takes the handoff on first down and is tackled forward for a gain of 4.
Injury update: Running back Darrell Stewart and offensive lineman Kevin Jarvis have just been carted to the Michigan State locker room.
Peyton Ramsey throws an incomplete pass on second down. He finds J-Shun Harris for a gain of 8 on third down to move the chains.
Ramsey misses Donavan Hale on first down and goes back to Harris on second down for a gain of 5 to make it third-and-5 at the Indiana 42-yard-line. Whop Philyor catches a pass over the middle, runs backward approximately 5 yards, and then gets upfield to gain the first down.
Ramsey is sacked by Andrew Dowell on first down for a loss of 4. It's the fourth Michigan State sack this quarter. Stevie Scott loses 2 yards on second down. On third-and-16, Ramsey throws behind Philyor and his pass falls to the ground.
Cody White returns the punt 14 yards to the Michigan State 32-yard-line. Shakur Brown, who had a pick-six in the first quarter, is called for holding. They'll move it back to the 21.
28-7 Michigan State (1:14 3rd)
Kicker touchdown! MSU fake extends lead
La'Darius Jefferson takes the handoff on first down and bounces outside for a gain of 4 yards. Jefferson gets it again on second down, this time on a pitch, and gets 4 yards again to make it third-and-2 at the 41-yard-line. Michigan State converts on third down for the first time tonight with an option play that results in an 8-yard gain from Brian Lewerke. It's Michigan State's longest run of the night.
Lewerke scrambles again and gains 7 yards before he slides to the turf. Marcelino Ball receives a personal foul for targeting and is ejected. Ball is the last person that Indiana's defense can afford to lose.
The 15-yard penalty makes it first-and-10 at the Indiana 29-yard-line.
Lewerke dumps it off to Connor Heyward on first down for a gain of 16. The Spartans are inside the red zone at the 13.
Darrell Stewart receives the pass on the next play for a gain of 2. Stewart tries to limp off the field, but he ends up going down to get looked at by the training staff.
Injury timeout
Stewart heads to the medical tent to have his left ankle looked at.
Michigan State runs a wide receiver pass on first down; Cody White fires to Lewerke down the sideline for a gain of 6 at the 5-yard-line. On third down, Brandon Sowards is wrapped up for a loss of 1 by three Hoosier defenders.
Michigan State fakes a field goal on fourth down; Lewerke takes the snap and runs the option with kicker Matt Coghlin, who eventually reaches the end zone for Michigan State.
It is, as expected, the first career touchdown for Coghlin.
28-7 Michigan State (4:47 3rd)
Indiana loses 10 yards on three-and-out
Stevie Scott picks up just a yard on first down. Peyton Ramsey tucks it and runs for a gain of 2 before sliding at the 40. It's third-and-7. Ramsey is sacked within the blink of an eye by Brandon Bouyer-Randle - his first of the season - to force another Indiana punt.
Cody White calls for a fair catch at the 33-yard-line.
21-7 Michigan State (9:36 3rd)
Sack on third down ends Spartan drive
Connor Heyward rushes for 6 yards on first down and 3 yards on second down to make it third-and-1. Michigan State jumps before the next snap, and it'll be third-and-6.
Lewerke fumbles as he's blindsided by Marcelino Ball on third down. Michigan State recovers.
Bryce Baringer's punt is fair caught by J-Shun Harris at the Indiana 37.
21-7 Michigan State (11:19 3rd)
Michigan State defense fast and furious to start third quarter
Indiana lets the ball bounce out of the end zone and will start the second half at the 25.
Peyton Ramsey drops back on first down and the pocket collapses around him from every angle and Ramsey goes down for a loss of 5. It's the first sack allowed by Indiana in 13 quarters. Ramsey scrambles to the outside before getting forced out-of-bounds by Kenny Willekes for a loss of one. On third down, Raequan Williams gets a hand on Ramsey and forces a lame duck that falls incomplete. Indiana will punt.
Cody White fields the punt and returns it to around midfield, but Michigan State is called for a block in the back. It'll start at the 32.
21-7 Michigan State (13:40 3rd)
First half leaders
Passing
MSU - Brian Lewerke: 11/18, 185 yds., 2 TDs
IU - Peyton Ramsey: 15/18, 112 yds., TD, INT
Rushing
MSU - Connor Heyward: 7 atts., 10 yds.
IU - Peyton Ramsey: 7 atts., 19 yds.
Receiving
MSU - Cody White: 4 recs., 77 yds.
IU - Whop Philyor: 8 recs., 59 yds.
Dotson catches touchdown pass right before half
Brian Lewerke comes up firing with less than 90 seconds on the clock, finding Felton Davis over the middle on first down for a gain of 16 yards.
Lewerke's next throw falls incomplete. Darrell Stewart catches a pass on second down and he works his way to the Indiana 46 for a gain of 12.
Lewerke throws it behind Davis on first down and he makes a dazzling one-hand catch to make it first-and-10 at the Indiana 30 with 0:38 remaining. Michigan State still has all three timeouts.
Injury timeout
Lewerke goes right back to Davis, who now has four catches for 69 yards this quarter, for a gain of 19. It's first-and-10 at the 11-yard-line.
Timeout Michigan State (0:31 2nd)
Lewerke overthrows Matt Dotson on first down. He throws to Dotson in the end zone again on second down, and this time Dotson comes down with it for a Michigan State touchdown.
The touchdown catch was also the first reception by a Michigan State tight end this season. Lewerke was 5-for-7 for 74 yards on the drive.
21-7 Michigan State (0:19 2nd)
Cole Hahn's kick goes for a touchback.
Peyton Ramsey takes a knee to end the first half.
21-7 Michigan State (End 2nd)
Michigan State gets big stop before half
Whop Philyor returns to the game for Indiana and is immediately targeted for a 6-yard reception. Ronnie Walker rushes for no gain on second down. Ramsey has a running lane and tries for the line-to-gain with his feet; Khari Willis closes the gap in a hurry and cracks Ramsey a yard short of the sticks.
Timeout Indiana (1:37 2nd)
Haydon Whitehead's put rolls to the Michigan State 26-yard-line.
14-7 Michigan State (1:23 2nd)
Indiana defense keeping Spartans within reach
Jared Smolar's kick is taken for a touchback.
Brian Lewerke dumps it off to Connor Heyward in the backfield on first down, and he's wrapped up behind the line for a loss of 4. Felton Davis catches his first pass of the evening on second down for a gain of 18 that'll move the chains.
Cody White is Lewerke's next target and he pulls in the pass for a gain of 9. Heyward is stuffed up the middle on second down for a loss of 1 to make it third-and-2 at the 47-yard-line. Lewerke keeps it on third down; the Indiana defense sniffs it out and wraps him up for another 1-yard loss.
Bryce Baringer is now punting for Michigan State. His punt is fair caught by J-Shun Harris at the 21-yard-line.
14-7 Michigan State (3:29 2nd)
Indiana answer with 10-play touchdown drive
Peyton Ramsey throws it complete to Whop Philyor for a gain of 6 on first down. The Hoosier offense is moving quickly, and on second down, Philyor is the target again, this time for a gain of 9 to reach the 36.
Stevie Scott gets 2 yards on the first-down run. Ramsey's pass on second down falls incomplete. J-Shun Harris catches a pass near the Spartan sideline on third-and-8 for a gain of 10 that'll keep the drive alive.
Philyor is the target on first down, gaining 9 yards on a reception that'll move Indiana inside the red zone. Scott loses 2 yards on second down. Philyor moves the chains on third down with a 7-yard reception. He comes off limping, however, and heads to the sideline. It's first-and-goal at the 10.
Ramsey goes to Harris on first down for a gain of 2. He throws it to Scott in the flat on second down; he goes over the top of a diving Michigan State defender and lands in the end zone for an Indiana touchdown.
14-7 Michigan State (6:54 2nd)
Jefferson fumble gives Indiana great field position
Lewerke goes deep on first down and his pass is picked off by Raheem Layne. Layne is called for (weak) pass interference, however, and Michigan State will have a first down at the 48.
Ball don't lie: On the very next play, La'Darius Jefferson puts it on the carpet and it's recovered by the Hooisers at the 49-yard-line.
14-0 Michigan State (10:12 2nd)
Michigan State defense not budging
Peyton Ramsey fakes the pitch and then takes it himself up the middle for a gain of 3 on first down. Ramsey throws it complete to Reese Taylor on second down for a gain of 13 that'll move the chains.
On first down from the 27-yard-line, Stevie Scott runs for 2 yards. Ramsey steps up in the pocket on second down and gains 7 yards to make it third-and-1. Indiana hustles to the line and tries a quarterback sneak that falls short. Indiana will go for it. Scott appears to have lost some yardage thanks to Joe Bachie.
Indiana guard Simon Stepaniak is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play, moving Michigan State's starting point 15 yards down the field to the 33-yard-line.
14-0 Michigan State (10:49 2nd)
Michigan State yet to convert on third down
Connor Heyward takes the handoff and rushes for 6 yards on first down. La'Darius picks up 2 more on second down to make it third-and-2. Lewerke's pass to Darrell Stewart on third down misses the mark.
The Spartans are now 0-for-4 on third down.
Tyler Hunt's punt is a line drive right to J-Shun Harris who takes advantage of the open field in front of him by picking up 19 yards to reach the Michigan State 43.
14-0 Michigan State (13:17 2nd)
Indiana drive stalls in Spartan territory
Kenny Willekes gets in the backfield on first down and wraps up Peyton Ramsey for a loss of 5. Donavan Hale catches a pass on second down for 13 yards that'll make it third-and-2. Stevie Scott loses a yard on third down.
End of 1st quarter
Indiana will punt in Spartan territory. Cody White calls for a fair catch near the 10-yard-line.
14-0 Michigan State (14:52 2nd)
Third-down sack ends Spartan drive
Jalen Nailor runs for 3 yards on first down. Connor Heyward gets the carry on second down and picks up 3 more. Lewerke is under pressure from the second he handles the ball and he's sacked for a loss of 19.
Tyler Hunt's punt is shanked and Indiana will start with the ball at its 46.
14-0 Michigan State (1:07 1st)
Indiana offense struggling to find groove
Indiana will look to cut into its deficit from the 25-yard-line.
Peyton Ramsey tries to pick up some yards with his feet, but he can't get to the edge. He slides for a loss of 1. Nick Westbrook catches a high pass on second down and is decked as he comes down with it for a gain of 5. Indiana is called for holding to reverse a third-down conversion to make it third-and-16. Stevie Scott gets the handoff and gains 8. Indiana will be forced to punt again.
Cody White puts the spin cycle on several Indiana defenders on the return, but there are too many of them to make a difference. He gets a total of 7 yards and Michigan State will get the ball at its own 35.
14-0 Michigan State (3:13 1st)
Pick-six puts Michigan State up two scores
Indiana takes the kickoff for a touchback and will get the ball at the 25-yard-line.
Peyton Ramsey pitches it to Reese Taylor on first down for no gain. Ramsey hits Whop Philyor near the sideline on second down for a gain of 11 that'll give the Hoosiers a first down.
Philyor catches a 2-yard pass on the next play, and on second down, catches a pass for 9 yards to move the chains again for Indiana at the 47-yard-line.
Stevie Scott runs for a gain of 2 yards on first down. Ramsey's throw on second down falls incomplete, but Josh Butler is called for defensive holding. Indiana will get 10 free yards and a first down.
Ramsey uses his legs to pick up another first down on the next play with a 12-yard run.
On first down, the Indiana quarterback is hit as he throws, his pass deflects off the hands of Scott, and Shakur Brown picks it out of the air with nothing but green in front of him. He returns it all the way to the house to extend Michigan State's lead.
14-0 Michigan State (5:35 1st)
Nailor touchdown catch caps scoring drive
Lewerke gives to Connor Heyward for a gain of 3 on first down.
Injury update: LJ Scott is out for the game.
Lewerke is chased down by Marcelino Ball and taken down 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage to make it third-and-17. Cody White catches a pass on third down and gets 16 yards. Michigan State will go for it on fourth down. Lewerke runs the option on fourth-and-1; the pitch to Heyward goes for 2 yards and a first down at the Indiana 49.
Heyward gets the handoff on first down for a 1-yard gain. Lewerke throws a beautiful pass over the shoulder of White, his third catch of the game, for a gain of 32 yards. It'll be first-and-10 at the Indiana 16.
Lewerke's first-down throw to Stewart falls incomplete. Jalen Nailor is Lewerke's intended receiver on second down, and his effort after making the catch rewards the Spartans with a touchdown.
7-0 Michigan State (8:11 1st)
Indiana goes three-and-out on first drive
Stevie Scott runs for a gain of 5 yards on first down. Peyton Ramsey throws a completed pass for 2 yards to Ty Fryfogle to make it third-and-3. Ramsey goes deep to Reese Taylor, but the throw lands just beyond the reach of his receiver.
Cody White calls for a fair catch and fields the punt at the 40-yard-line.
0-0 tie (12:08 1st)
Penalties stop opening drive in its tracks
Indiana has won the toss and will defer to the second half.
Darrell Stewart runs over a tackler and bounces to the outside for a return of 42 yards to give Michigan State the ball at the 44.
Brian Lewerke rolls out and fires to Cody White on the Spartans' first play of the game for a completion of 20 yards that'll give Michigan State a new set of downs at the Indiana 36.
An illegal formation makes it first-and-15 for Michigan State.
Lewerke misses Stewart over the middle on first down. He completes the pass on second down to White for a gain of 6, but the Spartans are flagged for having an ineligible receiver downfield. Second-and-20 now. Lewerke misses Stewart near the left sideline. His pass on third down falls short of Laress Nelson and the Spartans will punt.
Tyler Hunt's kick goes through the end zone.
0-0 tie (13:10 1st)
Michigan State hits the road for its Big Ten opener on Saturday night at Indiana at 7:30. Follow the action here with live updates throughout the game by Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News.
MICHIGAN STATE VS. INDIANA
Kickoff: 7:30 Saturday, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.
TV/radio: BTN/760
Records: Michigan State 1-1, Indiana 3-0
Line: Michigan State by 4
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