EAST LANSING – Rocky Lombardi got the start, and more injuries occurred.
Michigan State’s offense sputtered and stalled under its new quarterback, but the Spartans moved the ball enough for a 23-13 victory over Purdue on Saturday at Spartan Stadium.
The Spartans’ Mike Panasiuk blocked a game-tying field goal attempt with 3:42 to play, and Jalen Nailor turned Lombardi’s “pop pass” into a cutback, field-weaving 48-yard touchdown to seal the win with just under two minutes remaining.
And it was a critical win for bowl eligibility for MSU (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten). The Spartans travel to Maryland next week needing just one more victory to qualify for postseason play for the 11th time in coach Mark Dantonio’s 12 seasons.