Field Level Media
Oct 31, 2020
Rocky Lombardi threw three touchdown passes, two to Connor Heyward, and Michigan State stunned No. 13 Michigan 27-24 in Big Ten action on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Lombardi completed 17 of 32 passes for 323 yards while Ricky White caught eight passes for 196 yards and a touchdown. White's yardage total was the most by a freshman in school history. Jordon Simmons led the ground game with 55 yards on 14 carries.
The Spartans (1-1, 1-1 Big Ten), who committed seven turnovers in a season-opening loss to Rutgers a week earlier, did not have a giveaway in Mel Tucker's first win as their head coach.
Blake Corum had two rushing touchdowns for Michigan (1-1, 1-1). Joe Milton completed 32 of 51 passes for 300 yards and also led the rushing attack with 59 yards on 12 carries. The Wolverines had won their last two games against their in-state rival.
Matt Coghlin's 27-yard field goal gave the Spartans a 17-10 lead early in the second half.
Corum's 1-yard plunge with eight minutes left in the third quarter tied it. That run capped off a 75-yard drive.
Coghlin blasted a career-best 51-yard field goal to put Michigan State back on top, 20-17. Coghlin missed a 40-yard try early in the fourth quarter.
Lombardi's 13-yard scoring toss to Heyward with 5:11 left gave the Spartans a 27-17 lead. The touchdown was set up by White's tumbling 31-yard reception.
Michigan's Hassan Haskins scored on a 2-yard run to finish off an 18-play, 93-yard drive but only 37 seconds remained on the clock.
The Spartans recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
Michigan State emerged with a 14-10 lead at halftime.
The Spartans scored on their second possession as Lombardi connected with White on a 30-yard pass.
Michigan answered with an eight-play, 60-yard drive, capped by Corum's 8-yard run.
Michigan State regained the advantage on Lombardi's 2-yard scoring pass to Heyward. The touchdown was set up by Lombardi's 53-yard hookup with Jalen Nailor.
Quinn Nordin's 23-yard field goal cut the Spartans' lead to four points.
--Field Level Media