EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State took its first lead of the game, late in the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium, and held on for the win against Rutgers.
A 22-yard run by Cody White on an end-around scored the go-ahead touchdown with 3:57 to go in the game. After the extra point, the Spartans led 14-10. Moments later, Josiah Scott picked off a pass at the 3-yard line for Michigan State with 1:32 left in the game, as Rutgers was driving down the field.
The Scarlett Knights (1-11 overall, 0-9 Big Ten) drew first blood against the Spartans (7-5, 5-4) in their regular season-ending Big Ten battle in East Lansing. Quarterback Giovanni Rescigno connected with Travis Vokolek on a 27-yard touchdown pass about midway through the first quarter, to give the Scarlett Knights an early 7-0 lead.
Michigan State got on the board when Rocky Lombardi hit Matt Sokol with an 18-yard pass in the corner of the end zone with 7:04 left in the first half. The half ended with the score knotted at 7-7.
Justin Davidovicz kicked a 34-yard field goal for Rutgers with 7:52 remaining in regulation.
The game aired on WXMI FOX 17.