SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 24, 2012
Michigan State 26, Minnesota 10:
Le'Veon Bell rushed for a career-best 266 yards and a touchdown as
the Spartans became bowl-eligible with a road victory over the Golden
Gophers, who finished the game without their coach, Jerry Kill.
Kill didn't return to the field
for the second half after suffering a seizure at halftime. Kill, who has a history of seizures,
including suffering one after an Oct. 13 loss to Northwestern, was home resting Saturday night.
Michigan State (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten)
extended its school-record streak of bowl appearances to six. The Spartans' defense held Minnesota to only four yards
rushing and 96 yards of total offense, and picked off Gophers
quarterbacks four times.
Bell rushed 35 times,
averaging 7.6 yards per carry. Andrew Maxwell was 13-of-29 passing for
143 yards and a 41-yard touchdown to Bennie Fowler that put Michigan State ahead
for good with 1:28 to play in the first half.
Minnesota (6-6, 2-6) got its only
touchdown when Aaron Hill picked off Maxwell and returned it 33 yards
for a score in the first quarter.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bell became the
seventh player in Michigan State history to go over 3,000 yards
rushing in a career. ... Minnesota managed only seven first downs in
the game, the first time the Gophers have failed to record 10 or more
first downs since a Nov. 12, 2011 loss to Wisconsin. กญ Michigan
State leads the series 28-17.