L.J. Scott lifts No. 5 Michigan State over No. 4 Iowa, 16-13, for Big Ten title

L.J. Scott’s late lunge did more than put the ball across the goal line — it all but certainly put No. 5 Michigan State in the College Football Playoff.

Scott kept powering forward and stretched the ball into the end zone for a touchdown with 27 seconds to play that sent the Spartans past No. 4 Iowa, 16-13, Saturday night in the Big Ten Conference championship game.

Quarterback Connor Cook led the Spartans (12-1) on a 22-play drive that set up Scott’s one-yard run on third down. Half a dozen defenders tried to stop Scott, but he wouldn’t be denied.

Iowa (12-1) lost for the first time this season — and just barely.

“Let’s get on and party,” Coach Mark Dantonio shouted to the crowd when it was over.

After settling for three field goals in the first 591/2 minutes, Cook moved the Spartans 82 yards and kept their national-title hopes intact.

Cook, who was selected the game’s most valuable player, methodically moved the Spartans in a drive that consumed nearly the final 91/2 minutes.

He finished 16 of 32 for 191 yards with one interception and no touchdowns.

But with the season on the line, Cook and the offense made play after play against an Iowa defense that hadn’t given up a touchdown all game — until Scott got free just long enough.

“We wanted to come back and win a championship,” Cook said. “It’s awesome, man.”

Michigan State, which earned its second conference title in three years, will chase its first national championship since splitting the title with Notre Dame in 1966.

The Spartans need two more victories to earn the school’s first uncontested national title since 1952.