No. 2 Michigan State survives Purdue, 24-21

EAST LANSING, Mich. _ Michigan State freshman stud LJ Scott muscled into the end zone for his second touchdown, right around the same time Michigan State future stud Miles Bridges announced in Flint that he will be joining Tom Izzo’s basketball program in 2016.tmpplchld The 100th homecoming in MSU’s history was turning into quite a celebration, on various fronts, with the No. 2-ranked team in America looking like it in racing to a 21-0 lead over Purdue in the first 17 minutes. The past was honored with more than 70 members of the 1965 national title on the field during an early timeout. Fans buzzed about the basketball future as well, with the addition who ensures Izzo’s most celebrated class.tmpplchld Then the rains came. The fans started to leave. The MSU left tackle replacing its injured starting left tackle went down with a gruesome injury and was carted off. And by the end, the Spartans’ 24-21 win felt more like a frantic day at the office than a party.tmpplchld As usual of late, a Purdue team expected to serve as fodder for the Spartans hung close. The Boilermakers (1-4) had the ball with a chance to win or tie, but an Arjen Colquhoun fourth-down pass break-up ended it _ five plays after Colquhoun was flagged for holding on a fourth-down pass break-up.tmpplchld So MSU improves to 5-0, awaits a possible drop in the polls and hopes for good health luck at some point. Reserve left tackle Dennis Finley is the latest major loss for an offensive line that had to use center Jack Allen at that position extensively.tmpplchld MSU senior quarterback Connor Cook became the program’s all-time winningest starting quarterback with his 28th win against three losses. He broke a tie with Kirk Cousins, on a day that saw him start fast and finish 13-for-19 for 139 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 48 yards.tmpplchld Scott had the day of his early career, with 18 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns, and starting running back Madre London had 17 carries for 97 yards.tmpplchld But MSU’s kicking game suffered a fumbled punt leading to a Purdue touchdown and a missed field goal, and the MSU defense was gouged on the ground for 165 yards. Markell Jones got 68 of them on a touchdown that made for an interesting finish _ in front of a fraction of the crowd of 74,418.tmpplchld ___tmpplchld (c)2015 Detroit Free Presstmpplchld Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.comtmpplchld Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.tmpplchld