Michigan State edges Purdue 24-17 with road win thanks to bowl eligibility in Jonathan Smith’s first season

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Aidan Chiles scored two first-half scores to build a three-touchdown lead and Michigan State held on to beat Purdue 24-17 on Friday night.

The Spartans (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) are within striking distance of bowl eligibility under first-year coach Jonathan Smith, and they play Rutgers at home in the final game of the regular season.

“It means a lot,” Chiles said. “We should have been in this place a long time ago.”

The Boilermakers (1-10, 0-8) have lost 10 straight games and will have to beat rival and fifth-ranked Indiana on the road to avoid matching the school record with 11 losses under the second-year coach. Ryan Walters.

Pressure to perform is expected, Walter admitted.

“It comes with the territory and being in the chair,” he said.

Michigan State scored three touchdowns and a field goal on four first-half drives to take a 24-3 lead, then struggled to move the ball in the second half and Purdue nearly took advantage.

“It’s unfortunate that we came out with such a performance and the next half looks like we’ve never played football before,” Chiles said.

With a chance to score the game-tying touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, Hudson Card threw a pass to Max Clare that spun around and was picked off by linebacker Jordan Turner at the Michigan State 31.

The Card gave the Boilermakers a chance to tie the game on their next drive, but Jamal Edrin threw a long pass while running solo behind the secondary and they ended up turning the game over at midfield with 3:05 left.

Chiles missed his first chance to seal the win on a third-down run when he stepped out of bounds instead of closing the distance to likely gain a first down and keep the clock running.

“I had to get the first down and I thought I made it,” he said.

On fourth-and-1, Chiles’ sneak was spotted just behind the stick and he was able to get to his knees to escape with the remaining time.

Chiles finished 15 of 31 for 159 yards and scored multiple touchdowns for the third time this season.

He made the go-ahead run with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Montori Foster midway through the first quarter and a 20-yard touchdown pass to Nate Carter with 41 seconds left in the first half. Carter also scored a 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Card was 26 of 47 for a career-high 342 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Clair had seven receptions for 83 yards and a 7-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to bring the Boilermakers closer to a touchdown.

Conclusion

Purdue: Walters was expected to struggle after a four-win debut season, including a win over the Hoosiers, but the Boilermakers were competitive in only two of the 10 games they lost.

“Right now my focus is on Indiana, and that’s something I can control,” Walters said. “I don’t feel any pressure other than trying to win the ball game.”

Michigan State: Smith’s team has slightly exceeded its wildest expectations, and the program will get a much-needed boost if it earns a postseason berth with another win.

Next

Purdue: Thankfully, the season ends Saturday with Indiana’s road loss to heavy underdogs.

Michigan State: Hosts the Scarlet Knights, who need a win to end Smith’s first season with a bowl game.