EAST LANSING, Mich. _ Everything Michigan State football feared could go wrong came true.
Turnovers and missed scoring chances on offense, and penalties on both sides of the ball allowed Utah State to stay in the game late. The Aggies' high-tempo offense made big plays against MSU's defense. And a season of promise for the 12th-ranked Spartans nearly opened with a tremendous thud.
Then junior quarterback Brian Lewerke came to the rescue.
The Aggies returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter to pull within a score, then scored the go-ahead TD with 5:05 to play.
However, Lewerke guided the Spartans back down the field in patient fashion to avoid the upset. He completed a spectacular 31-yard pass to Felton Davis III, then delivered an option pitch to Connor Heyward for a 13-yard score that allowed the Spartans to escape, 38-31.
Utah State had one final chance, but quarterback Jordan Love's third-down pass near midfield was batted in the air and intercepted by MSU linebacker Joe Bachie.
Lewerke looked sharp in the first half, guiding MSU's offense to two scores and completing 13-for-19 passes for 190 yards.
However, he telegraphed a pass for true freshman receiver Jalen Nailor in the third quarter, and Aggies safety Gaje Ferguson stepped in front for an interception he returned 40 yards for a touchdown.
Lewerke finished 23-for-33 for 287 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He connected for scores with Cody White (8 yards) and Davis (10 yards) in the first half.
Utah State quarterback Jordan Love finished 29 of 44 for 319 yards with two interceptions.
MSU travels to Arizona State next Saturday.
