Michigan State Wins Big Ten Opener vs. Indiana, 30-20

Spartans mount second half comeback for win

Drew Stanton threw for two TDs in his first collegiate start.

Drew Stanton threw for two TDs in his first collegiate start.

Sept. 25, 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns in his starting debut Saturday to lead the Spartans past Indiana 30-20.

The Spartans (2-2, 1-0) scored 23 consecutive points in the second half to erase a 20-7 halftime deficit. They won the Old Brass Spittoon for the third straight year and the seventh time in eight games dating to a Michigan State forfeit in 1994.

Indiana (2-2, 0-1) managed just 41 yards of offense in the second half, losing a Big Ten opener for the 13th time in 14 years.

For a half, Michigan State did nothing right. But for the final 30 minutes, the Spartans did little wrong. Stanton, Michigan State's third starter in four games, was the primary reason.

He guided the Spartans on a 54-yard drive midway through the third quarter and finished it with a 1-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal. That cut the lead to 20-14. Stanton also scored on a 2-yard run in the first half.

Then Stanton showed his poise.

The Spartans closed to 20-17 when Dave Rayner made a 44-yard field goal with 2:58 left in the third quarter, and Stanton led the Spartans on a 10-play, 78-yard scoring march on their next possession. Jason Teague's 1-yard TD run gave the Spartans a 24-20 lead early in fourth quarter. Rayner made field goals of 22 and 39 yards to close the scoring.

Stanton carried 12 times and produced the first 100-yard rushing game of his career. He also completed 15 of 23 passes for 172 yards but threw two interceptions.

The Hoosiers were led by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who rushed 23 times for 65 yards, and Courtney Roby, who caught five passes for 86 yards.

Indiana also got a school-record punt return from Lance Bennett after he fielded a punt at the Indiana 6 and nearly fell. As Bennett regained his footing, he sprinted through the middle and beat punter Brandon Fields down the right sideline for a 94-yard TD.

Steve Porter scored on a 93-yard punt return against Wisconsin on Oct. 24, 1970. It marked the first time a Hoosier scored on a punt return since Thomas Lewis went 58 yards against on Northwestern on Oct. 23, 1993.