Starting Saturday's matchup, Michigan State (8-0) narrowly escaped a loss against Michigan, and IU (4-4) had just lost three straight games, including a Homecoming loss to Rutgers.
Making his first start since the Ohio State loss, junior running back Jordan Howard scored the first touchdown of the game, putting the Hoosiers up 7-0, but Michigan State responded with a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Cook to receiver RJ Shelton to tie the game, 7-7, a score that would stand into the second quarter.
The teams traded scoring drives throughout the second quarter, as IU put together two quick drives, five and four plays respectively, capped by touchdown passes to junior receiver Ricky Jones and sophomore receiver Simmie Cobbs. The Spartans ran longer drives of nine and 13 plays, ending in a one-yard rush by running back Delton Williams and an 11-yard touchdown reception by Aaron Burbridge.
The score at halftime was 21-20, after a missed extra point by kicker Griffin Oakes.
Cook and senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld traded passing touchdowns in the third quarter, Cook's to tight end Josiah Price and Sudfeld's to receiver Andre Booker, who recorded his first career touchdown reception.
After another missed extra point, IU trailed Michigan State, 28-26, going into the fourth quarter.
IU never found the Michigan State side of the field in the fourth quarter, as it was outscored, 24-0, ending its own drives in a punt, a turnover on downs, a fumble and the end of the game.
The Spartans defeated the Hoosiers with a final score of 52-26.
Sudfeld finished the game with 306 passing yards, three touchdown passes and one interception, while Cook finished with a career-high 398 yards,four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Taylor Lehman
