By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
EAST LANSING – Defense came to the rescue of the Michigan State offense Saturday afternoon, as the Spartans remained undefeated.
Michigan State's defense forced three turnovers, all of which resulted in points, in a 17-13 victory over visiting Pittsburgh.
Otis Wiley picked off Pittsburgh freshman quarterback Kevan Smith and returned it to the Panther's 35-yard line.
Four plays and 49 seconds later, Jehuu Caulcrick rumbled in from the 2-yard line to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead after Brett Swenson's extra point.
It didn't take long for the Panthers to respond.
Pittsburgh's LeShean McCoy raced 64 yards to the end zone on the first play following the ensuing kickoff.
Michigan State did nothing on its next possession and after punting to the Panthers, it was the Spartans' defense which stepped up again.
This time it was Travis Key picking off Smith. Key raced 31 yards for the touchdown, which gave Michigan State a 14-7 lead.
In the second half, both offenses continued to struggle.
Pittsburgh cut the Michigan State lead to 14-10 on a 41-yard field goal by Conor Lee.
Lee then made it a one-point contest, 14-13, with a 29-yard field goal midway through the final quarter.
With the Spartan offense going no where fast, it was time for the defense to get into the act once again.
This time it was Ogemdi Nwagbuo recovering a Pittsburgh fumble at the 22-yard line.
Five plays and 16 yards later, Swenson connected on a 23-yard field goal.
The Spartan defense then kept the Panthers out of the end zone over the final 2:54 to keep Michigan State undefeated heading to South Bend, Ind. on Saturday to take on winless Notre Dame.
"The key to the game obviously was the turnovers and our play on third downs, was pretty good, actually great," first-year Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "I thought our guys came to play defensively, they were 0-12 on third down, got five sacks, and went 3-0 in turnovers. It's tough to win the game when you go 3-0 in turnovers. So we won the turnover battle 3-0."
Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt agree with Dantonio that turnovers were the difference.
"I told our players (the loss) wasn't because of effort," he said. "I don't know what more you can ask of a defense. They kept us in it the entire game. When you come up here and play on the road it is tough enough, without turning the ball over. Especially when you play a good football team, and Michigan State is a good football team.
"With LeSean McCoy playing quarterback half the game, it is hard to play catch up. The plan was to keep it close into the fourth quarter and then make a play, but then we turned the ball over. That cost us the game," Wannstedt added.
The Spartans finished the game with 327 yards in total offense. Pittsburg had just 292 yards.
Most of the Panthers' yards came via the feet of McCoy, who rushed for 172 yards on 25 carries.
Javon Ringer rushed for 92 yards on 20 carries, while Caulcrick added 71 yards on 21 totes. Brian Hoyer was 14-of-28 fro 183 yards.
The Spartans and Fighting Irish are scheduled to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game can be seen live on NBC.
Pittsburgh 0 7 3 3 – 13
Michigan State 0 14 0 3 – 17
MSU – Caulcrick, Jehuu 2 run (Swenson, Brett kick)
PITT – McCOY, LeSean 64 run (LEE, Conor kick)
MSU – Key, Travis 31 interception return (Swenson kick)
PITT – LEE 41 field goal
PITT – LEE 29 field goal
MSU – Swenson 23 field goal