Michigan State beats Wake Forest in Pinstripe Bowl

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Michigan State tops Wake Forest in Pinstripe Bowl to finish 7-6 Spartan Tailgate
The MSU captains came up with big plays at critical moments down the stretch of Friday’s Pinstripe Bowl against Wake Forest, allowing the Spartans to escape the Bronx as 27-21 winners despite a bevy of significant mistakes.

Brian Lewerke stars as Michigan State holds off Wake Forest, 27-21, in Pinstripe Bowl Detroit Free Press
Michigan State football wanted to send its seniors out a winner. And Brian Lewerke finished his career with some more records. The senior making his 38th and final start became the third MSU quarterback to win two bowl games and the fourth to pass for more than 8,000 yards in his career, as the Spartans hung on to defeat Wake Forest, 27-21, on Friday in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

Michigan State tops Wake Forest in Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium MLive.com
Michigan State ended a disappointing season on a high note. The Spartans (7-6, 4-5 Big Ten) topped Wake Forest (8-5, 4-4 ACC) 27-21 in the Pinstripe Bowl on Friday at Yankee Stadium in New York. It was their third straight victory and their first time accomplishing that feat since beating Washington State in the Holiday Bowl to close the 2017 season.

Brian Lewerke goes out a winner, powering Michigan State past Wake Forest Detroit News
For one afternoon, the frustration of a long season disappeared. Overcoming a pair of red-zone turnovers in the second half, Michigan State closed its season with a win over Wake Forest, 27-21, in the 10th playing of the Pinstripe Bowl Friday at Yankee Stadium. It was the sixth bowl victory for coach Mark Dantonio as Michigan State (7-6) avoided a sub-.500 record and provided a bit of momentum heading into next season.

For Michigan State, the bowl win might mean nothing, or it means everything Detroit Free Press Mark Dantonio is right when he says a win in a bowl game carries over, even if it’s nothing more than a feeling. And these days, feelings matter. Confidence does, too. Another bowl loss against a middling team — MSU lost last season in the RedBox Bowl — would’ve hurt.

Brian Lewerke caps Michigan State career with impressive performance as Pinstripe Bowl MVP MLive.com Waiting for his turn to take the stage, Brian Lewerke laid down on the floor and leaned against a wall in the media room at Yankee Stadium in New York. On the ground next to the Michigan State fifth-year senior quarterback was the MVP trophy he earned just minutes earlier for leading Michigan State to a 27-21 win against Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl on Friday.

Michigan State players weighing NFL decisions after Pinstripe Bowl victory: What we know Detroit Free Press
Antjuan Simmons’ mind is made up. Cody White’s isn’t. The two Michigan State football juniors are in different spots in deciding whether they will return in 2020 after the Spartans’ 27-21 win over Wake Forest in Friday’s Pinstripe Bowl.

Michigan State Defeats Wake Forest 27-21 in Pinstripe Bowl MSUSpartans.com
Brian Lewerke threw for 320 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score in Michigan State’s 27-21 victory over Wake Forest on Friday night in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Lewerke threw a 10-yard pass to wide receiver Cody White in the third quarter to put the Spartans (7-6) ahead 27-21 and they survived down the stretch to give Mark Dantonio his sixth bowl victory.

Brian Lewerke got the send-off he deserved Spartan Avenue
Heading into Friday afternoon’s Pinstripe Bowl, Brian Lewerke was just 222 yards shy of becoming Michigan State’s all-time total yardage leader, surpassing Connor Cook. It was fitting because even though he didn’t have much in terms of accomplishments and wins to show for his numbers, he still got the job done. He gave the program everything he had, fought through adversity and became a record holder in the end.

Michigan State ends taxing season with satisfying Pinstripe Bowl win Detroit Free Press
Mark Dantonio entered the news conference room inside Yankee Stadium wearing a hat of a champion. Confetti from a Pinstripe Bowl win lingered. As he spoke to reporters, the door popped open. In came senior quarterback Brian Lewerke, the MVP trophy in his hands, a few more records under his belt.

Brian Lewerke finishes career in lofty spots on MSU’s all-time lists Detroit News
His 366 total yards on Friday — he had 46 rushing yards and a touchdown to go with his passing numbers — moved him past Connor Cook as the all-time leader in total yards at 9,548. Lewerke also finishes his career ranked fourth in touchdown passes (47), fourth in passing yards (8,293), second in completions (721), third in rushing yards for a quarterback (1,255) and third in wins (22-16).

Spartans’ season ends on winning note, but Dantonio’s program faces challenging future Detroit News
It ended the way it needed to for Michigan State. With confetti falling, even after a clumsy win. With players celebrating, even after a disappointing season. And with a head coach talking hopefully about the future, even if others don’t share the same vision.

Mark Dantonio won a bowl game. It’s up to him to make you care Detroit Free Press
It wasn’t long ago that a bowl win left you wanting more. Games. Stories. Another season to begin. If Mark Dantonio built nothing else as the coach of Michigan State’s football program, he built this: Anticipation. After beating Wake Forest, 27-21, in the Pinstripe Bowl on Friday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, that can’t-wait feeling isn’t quite there. It’s been replaced with … curiosity? Weariness?

Michigan State closes disappointing season with Pinstripe Bowl win while looking to future MLive.com
Confetti fell from the night sky and atop Michigan State players standing on a stage at Yankee Stadium in New York. Following the Spartans’ 27-21 victory against Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl on Friday, coach Mark Dantonio was presented with the trophy and asked about the overall experience. “We like to win,” he said to cheers from the crowd.