Washington State Cougars vs Michigan State Spartans Box Score on Dec 28, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 29, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- No. 16 Michigan State went more than 22 minutes before scoring a point in its 42-17 Holiday Bowl win over No. 18 Washington State on Thursday night at SDCCU Stadium. The wait was worth it.

The Spartans (10-3) scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions from 7:34 in the second quarter through 5:08 in the third, three of which came via Brian Lewerke passes. The quarterback connected with Cody White twice and once with Felton Davis, who finished with 118 yards on four receptions.

Lewerke totaled 213 yards passing and 73 rushing. He nearly ran for a fourth score but was sidelined on a hard hit at the goal line. Backup Damion Terry came on, and his 6-yard touchdown run put a bow on the Spartans' midgame streak of dominance.

Washington State (9-4) struggled to mount a consistent offensive attack with quarterback Luke Falk scratched because of a wrist injury.

Sophomore Tyler Hilinski started in place of the career Pac-12 Conference passing leader. Despite completing 39 of 50 passes to eight different targets, Hilinski amassed 272 yards -- 102 below Washington State's per-game average.

The Cougars did not get into end zone until the late third quarter, when Hilinski found Tay Martin for a 14-yard touchdown pass, culminating a drive of 80 yards.

Washington State owed some of its offensive woes to a thoroughly depleted running back rotation. Jamal Morrow came out in the second quarter and James Williams early in the fourth. With Gerard Wicks hampered before the game, the Cougars rushed just eight times for 24 yards -- with 7 yards coming on a Hilinski run in the fourth quarter.

A Frankie Luvu interception of Terry set up a scoring drive that gave Washington State a glimmer of hope. Martin scored his second touchdown of the night on a 15-yard catch, but Michigan State fielded the ensuing onside kick attempt to quash Washington State's comeback bid.

Spartans running back LJ Scott rushed for his second touchdown of the night, a 28-yarder, to slam the door. Scott finished with 110 yards on 18 carries.

Points came at a premium in the first half. The Cougars took an early lead on a 45-yard field goal by Erik Powell 10 minutes in. It was the only Washington State drive into Michigan State territory before the break.

The game's first touchdown came with 7:34 remaining before halftime when Lewerke capped a 16-play, 81-yard drive that spanned 9:24 with a 15-yard strike to White.

Michigan State did not have to wait nearly as long for its next two scores. After forcing a quick Washington State punt, Lewerke found Davis wide open, well behind the deepest Cougars defender, for a 49-yard touchdown pass.

Scott ended a 2:43 drive just before halftime with a 3-yard rushing touchdown to put Michigan State ahead 21-3.

The Spartans threatened earlier, starting with their first offensive play. Scott found a seam in the Washington State and had daylight ahead of him, but a shoestring tackle turned a potential scoring play into a 17-yard gain.

Scott had another potential big play on Michigan State's first scoring drive end when he stumbled out of bounds on a 10-yard reception.

NOTES: Washington State QB Luke Falk ended his college career at 14,481 passing yards, No. 7 all time among Division I players. ... Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke averaged 16.4 yards per completion to just 7 yards per completion for Washington State QB Tyler Hilinski. ... Michigan State scored 21 points in the second quarter. The Spartans outscored Rutgers 21-0 in the fourth quarter of the regular-season finale on Nov. 25.