Spartans Bowl Eligible with win over Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown

passes, and Michigan State overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter

deficit to beat Purdue 40-37 and become bowl eligible on Saturday.

B.J. Cunningham caught three passes for 92 yards and a score for

the Spartans (6-5, 4-3 Big Ten).

Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott completed 39 of 55 passes for

373 yards and two touchdowns. Keith Smith caught 15 passes for 152

yards and a TD for the Boilermakers (4-7, 3-4), who were eliminated

from bowl contention.

The Boilermakers gained 524 yards and kept the ball for 41

minutes, but Michigan State gained 229 yards on kickoff returns,

and the Spartans stopped Purdue on its final possession.

Michigan State's Brett Swenson made four field goals, including

the game-winning 21-yarder with 1:51 left.

Alamo Bowl representatives attended the game.