Michigan St. Pulls Away For 42-28 Win Over Indiana
NOAH TRISTER, AP Sports Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jeremy Langford scored four touchdowns, and Michigan State recovered from an early defensive breakdown to beat Indiana 42-28 on Saturday.
The Spartans (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) prevailed in a matchup between their top-ranked defense and Indiana's fast-paced offense. Tevin Coleman scored on a 64-yard run for the Hoosiers (3-3, 1-1) just 61 seconds into the game, but Michigan State took control shortly after halftime.
Indiana's Nate Sudfeld went 14 of 30 for 137 yards, although backup Tre Roberson threw two touchdown passes.
Indiana came in ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense, but Michigan State had the nation's top-ranked defense.
Coleman found a hole up the middle and breezed to a surprisingly easy touchdown on the game's first drive, but the Spartans tightened up after that.
Langford tied it early in the second quarter, catching an 11-yard touchdown pass from Connor Cook on third down. He later added three more TDs on the ground, becoming the first Michigan State player to score four in a game since Edwin Baker in 2010 against Minnesota.
Cook went 22 of 31 for 235 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. His 34-yard strike to Bennie Fowler made it 14-7, although Indiana took advantage of a short field later in the second quarter after Michigan State's Macgarrett Kings muffed a punt. Roberson threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Cody Latimer to tie it.
The Spartans took the lead for good on Langford's 5-yard touchdown run with 37 seconds left in the half — which was a bit of a turning point since Michigan State was also getting the ball back at the start of the third quarter.
Cook threw a 39-yard pass to Josiah Price on third-and-11 early in the second half, putting the ball at the Indiana 5. Langford's 2-yard touchdown run made it 28-14.
Langford finished with 109 of Michigan State's 238 yards rushing. His 32-yard touchdown made it 35-21 with 3:23 left in the third quarter — after Shane Wynn had brought the Hoosiers within a touchdown with a 2-yard scoring run.
R.J. Shelton added a 34-yard touchdown run early in the fourth for Michigan State, and even punter Mike Sadler provided a highlight with a 69-yard punt that pinned Indiana at its own 4.
The Spartans retained the Old Brass Spittoon — they've won five straight against Indiana and haven't lost to the Hoosiers at home since 2001.
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