EAST LANSING — In a turbulent matchup at Spartan Stadium, the Michigan State football team demonstrated a promising first half but struggled to maintain momentum in the second half, ultimately securing a narrow 24-17 victory over Purdue, one of the nation’s struggling teams.
Michigan State started strong with an impressive 24-3 lead at halftime. Quarterback Aidan Chiles completed 15 passes on 31 attempts for 159 yards and threw two touchdowns, and he added 26 rushing yards. Nate Carter contributed with both rushing and receiving touchdowns, while Jordan Turner made a pivotal diving interception in the fourth quarter.
The game hinged on a critical fourth-down sneak by Chiles late in the fourth quarter after he initially came up just short of a first down. He successfully picked up the required yardage moments later, allowing the Spartans to run out the clock and secure the win.
“We need to focus on playing a full four quarters better. However, we found a way to win,” Coach Jonathan Smith commented. “We’re looking forward to another home game next week with plenty at stake.”
With their record now at 4-6 (2-5 Big Ten), the Spartans are gearing up for their final regular-season game against Rutgers next Saturday, where they need a victory to achieve bowl eligibility for the first time since 2021. The kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on FS1.
Safety Nikai Martinez emphasized the importance of the upcoming game: “Winning is essential for having a winning season. If we secure that victory, we can aim for a bowl game and potentially finish the season on a positive note.”
In the contest, Purdue’s quarterback Hudson Card threw for 342 yards but could not lead his team to victory, as the Boilermakers fell to 1-10 after suffering their tenth consecutive loss. Despite struggling with third downs throughout the game, they made key plays in the second half, cutting into MSU’s sizable lead.
After a strong first half, the Spartans’ performance declined in the second half, where they managed just 73 yards of offense and lost a significant portion of their momentum. Chiles reflected, “In the first half, we did the little things right. But in the second half, I don’t know what happened. We didn’t play well.”
Injury news hit the Spartans hard, with tight end Jack Velling being carted off the field after a significant hit. While he was taken to a local hospital for precautionary evaluations, Coach Smith reported that he was in good spirits and able to watch the second half from the hospital.
Despite the ups and downs, Michigan State has an opportunity to secure a pivotal victory next week against Rutgers, allowing them to end their season on a hopeful high.
With determination and resilience, the Spartans can channel the energy of their first-half performance into the coming week. A potential victory could build momentum for the program as they aim for a bowl game, reigniting hopes for the future of Michigan State football.