The Michigan State Spartans closed out a perfect Big Ten Conference record on Saturday as they beat the Minnesota Gophers 14-3.
For the Spartans its the third time in program history they finished the conference unbeaten, while handing the Gophers their second straight loss.
Jeremy Langford set the pace for the Spartans he ran for 134 yards on 21 carries on Saturday afternoon.
It was Langford who got the Spartans on the scoreboard. He capped off the opening drive as he dove for the pylon on a 15 yard touchdown run to get the Spartans on the scoreboard.
It remained 7-0 until late in the second quarter when Gopher kicker Chris Hawthorne made a 21 yard field goal to cut the Spartans lead to four, it would be Minnesota’s only points of the afternoon.
In the early third quarter Connor Cook hit Josiah Price on a 12 yard touchdown pass to put the Spartans up 14-3, and the score stayed that way.
David Cobb led the Gophers (8-4, 4-4) as he ran for 101 yards on 27 carries.
The Gophers were inconsistent in the passing game, Philip Nelson completed just six of 18 passes and was intercepted twice. While Mitch Leidner, who filled in late for Nelson after he left with an injury, was just 3 0f 7 passing for 48 yards.
Minnesota moved the ball for 249 total yards, but came away with just a field goal on three trips into the red zone and turned it over three times.
With eight wins the Gophers will have a bowl game, while Michigan State will get ready for the Big Ten Championship game next week.
