Recap: White's 3 TD receptions lifts Michigan State over Rutgers 27-0

Game summary

Cody White pulled down 11 passes for three touchdowns and 136 yards receiving on Saturday at Rutgers, as Michigan State snapped a five-game losing streak in a 27-0 shutout of the Scarlet Knights. 

Final leaders

Passing

MSU - Brian Lewerke: 21/30, 239 yds., 3 TDs, INT

RU - Johnny Langan: 8/20, 57 yds., INT

Rushing

MSU - Elijah Collins: 31 atts., 109 yds.

RU - Johnny Langan: 14 atts., 49 yds.

Receiving

MSU - Cody White: 11 recs., 136 yds., 3 TDs

RU - Isaih Pacheco: 2 recs., 25 yds.

Michigan State ices clock to close out win at Rutgers

Rocky Lombardi now in at quarterback for Michigan State.

Brnadon Wright rushes for 4 yards on first down and 10 yards on second down.

Wright gets 4 more yards on the next two plays. Victory formation.

FINAL: MICHIGAN STATE 27, RUTGERS 0 

Rutgers can't get on scoreboard late in game

Johnny Langan is sacked on first down, then lets go of two incomplete passes. Rutgers gives it right back.

Adam Korsak's punt is downed at the 5.

Michigan State 27, Rutgers 0 (2:57 4th)

Michigan State punts from deep in own territory

Brian Lewerke rushes for a gain of 3 on first down. Elijah Collins gets 3 more on the ground on second down. Lewerke throws complete to Tre Mosley for a gain of 8 yards on third down.

Collins loses 2 yards on first down and another yard on second down before Lewerke is forced to throw it away under duress on third down.

Jake Hartbarger's punt is fair caught at the Michigan State 48.

Michigan State 27, Rutgers 0 (3:40 4th)

Rutgers scoreless drought extended by penalty on scoring play

Johnny Langan is sacked at the 25 for a loss of 4 on first down. Langan throws complete to Isaih Pacheco on second down, though, a 16-yard gain that'll give the Scarlet Knights a first down at the 41.

Langan then rushes for a gain of 11 and another first down in Michigan State territory.

Pacheco rushes for 4 yards on first and second down, each. Langan is stuffed on a third-down run, but moves the chains with a run of 10 yards to the 30-yard-line on fourth-and-2.

Langan's first-down throw is right on the mark, but bounces off the chest of Mohamed Jabbie. Langan's throw on second down also throws incomplete, but draws a holding penalty on the Spartans. It'll be first-and-10 at the 20.

Langan throws complete on first down to Paul Woods, a gain of 4. His throw to Isaiah Washington on second down falls incomplete, brining up third-and-6. A holding penalty on third down makes it third-and-16. Langan's next third-down throw is defended by Shakur Brown.

A Rutgers field goal is voided by a holding penalty, which then forces the Scarlet Knights to punt.

It's downed at the 1.

Michigan State 27, Rutgers 0 (7:17 4th)

Michigan State takes 27-0 lead against Rutgers early in fourth

Elijah Colins only rushes for a yard on first down, but a face mask penalty on the Scarlet Knights gives Michigan State a first down at the 14.

Collins rushes for another yard on the next play. He gets 6 more on second down before Brian Lewerke connects with Cody White in the end zone for the third time today, as the Spartans take a comfortable lead here in the fourth.

Michigan State 27, Rutgers 0 (12:39 4th)

Rutgers fumbles deep in own territory

Cole Hahn's kickoff is returned by Aaron Young to the 19.

END 3RD: Michigan State 20, Rutgers 0

Johnny Langan on first down throws complete to Isaih Pacheco for a pickup of 9. Isaiah Washington fumbles after a reception on the next play, and Josiah Scott recovers for the Spartans.

Michigan State 20, Rutgers 0 (14:21 4th)

Michigan State takes 20-0 lead before end of third quarter

Michigan State takes over at the 22.

Elijah Collins on first down rushes for 9 yards. Brian Lewerke completes a 27-yard throw to C.J. Hayes on second down, giving the Spartans a first down at the Rutgers 36.

Collins loses 4 yards on the next play. Lewerke throws incomplete on second down but is able to move the chains with his feet on third down, using a 16-yard scramble to give Michigan State a first down at the Rutgers 24.

Collins loses 2 yards on first down. Lewerke misses on a second-down throw to Tre Mosley before scrambling for 7 yards on third down.

Matt Coghlin puts home a 36-yard field goal.

Michigan State 20, Rutgers 0 (0:05 3rd)

Rutgers run game set back by penalties

Isaih Pacheco rushes for 10 yards to open the drive, giving Rutgers a first down at the 30.

A holding penalty on the next play makes it first-and-20 at the 20.

Pacheco rushes for 3 yards on first down. Johnny Langan throws complete to Mohamed Jabbie on second down for a gain of 5. Langan's 6-yard run on third down won't be enough to move the chains.

Adam Korsak's punt is returned 6 yards by Brandon Sowards to the 22.

Michigan State 17, Rutgers 0 (4:25 3rd)

Rutgers defense gets end-zone interception to keep game within reach

Michigan State takes over at its own 44.

Elijah Collins rushes for 8 yards on first down and 4 on second down.

Collins gets it again on the next play, running for 3 yards. Jalen Nailor takes an end-around for 2 yards on second down, bringing up third-and-5 at the Rutgers 39. Brian Lewerke rolls to his left and hits Cody White on third down for a gain of 12 yards to the 27-yard-line, where the Spartans will have another first down.

Collins rushes for a yard on first down. Lewerke's second-down throw to Matt Seybert misses the mark, falls incomplete. Lewerke goes to White in high traffic on third down; it's initially ruled a catch inside the 5, but that's later overturned by review. A 15-yard pass interference penalty, though, will still give the Spartans a first down at the Rutgers 11.

Collins rushes for a yard on first down. Lewerke's second-down throw to Julian Barnett is way behind the receiver and falls incomplete. Lewerke on third down throws to White in the end zone, the bar is jarred loose, and then intercepted by Deion Jennings. He goes down in the end zone for a touchback.

Michigan State 17, Rutgers 0 (7:16 3rd)

Rutgers moves ball into Michigan State territory, can't finish to start second half

Rutgers gets it at the 25 to open the second half.

Isaih Pacheco rushes for 2 yards on first down. Johnny Langan takes off with the ball on second down and runs for 13 yards and a Rutgers first down at the 40.

Pacheco follows that up with a 2-yard run, then takes off for a 9-yard gain on second down. It'll be first-and-10 at the Michigan State 49.

Langan's throw to Bo Melton on first down is behind the receiver. He goes back to Melton on second down, complete for a gain of 6. Langan rushes for 2 yards on third down, but is dropped for a 3-yard loss as Rutgers attempts a fourth-down conversion.

Michigan State will take over at its own 44.

Michigan State 17, Rutgers 0 (11:44 3rd)

Halftime leaders

Passing

MSU - Brian Lewerke: 17/20, 188 yds., 2 TD

RU - Johnny Langan: 2/8, 11 yds., INT

Rushing

MSU - Elijah Collins: 16 atts., 78 yds.

RU - Johnny Langan: 5 atts., 19 yds.

Receiving

MSU - Cody White: 9 recs., 117 yds., 2 TD

RU - Aaron Young: 1 rec., 7 yds.

White continues career day, gives Michigan State 17-0 lead

Michigan State catches a holding penalty on first down. It'll be first-and-20 at the 6. 

Elijah Collins puts together a really nice run on the first play of the drive, breaking through a handful of tackles on his way to a 23-yard gain, giving the Spartans a first down at the 36.

A short completion to Jalen Nailor on the next play is good for 5. A false start makes it second-and-10. Lewerke goes back to Nailor on second down for an 8-yard gain, and then again on third down for a pickup of 7. Michigan State has a first down at the Rutgers 49.

Lewerke is hit as he throws, but completes a 16-yard pass to Tre Mosley, on the next play.

Lewerke hits Cody White near the sideline for a gain of 17, giving the Spartans a first down at the Rutgers 16. 

Timeout #1 Rutgers (0:36 2nd)

Michigan State scores via a 16-yard touchdown pass to White on the first play after the timeout.

Michigan State 17, Rutgers 0 (0:32 2nd)

Rutgers takes a knee to end the half.

END 2ND: Michigan State 17, Rutgers 0 

Another three-and-out stunts Rutgers offense

Rutgers gets it at their own 33.

Johnny Langan rushes for 2 yards on first down and 3 yards on second down. Langan's deep ball on third down hangs in the air for an eternity before eventually being batted to the turf.

Adam Korsak's punt is downed at the 16.

Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 (2:13 2nd)

Spartans turn ball over on downs for second time this game

Elijah Collins goes up the middle on first down for a gain of 7. Brian Lewerke hits Cody White quickly to his left on the next play; White is wrapped up immediately for a gain of 1. Collins gets to the 45 with a gain of 7 yards, good enough to move the chains.

Collins rushes for 4 yards on first down. Lewerke throws complete to Julian Barnett on second down, a 9-yard completion at the Rutgers 42.

Lewerke throws incomplete to White on the next play. Collins rushes for 5 yards on second down.

Timeout #1 Michigan State (4:49 2nd)

The Spartans can't convert on third down, but a personal foul on the Spartans will back them up to third-and-20. Lewerke throws a 19-yard pass to Barnett on third down, setting up fourth-and-1. Collins goes down short of the marker on fourth down, as the Spartans turn the ball over on downs again.

Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 (3:46 2nd)

Misfire on third down leads to another three-and-out for Rutgers

Johnny Langan rushes for 4 yards on first down. Isaih Pacheco loses a yard on second down. Langan's throw on third down falls incomplete, and Rutgers will punt.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 (8:27 2nd)

Michigan State can't capitalize off turnover in Rutgers territory

Isaih Pacheco loses 2 yards on a first-down carry. He gets both yards back on second down.

Xavier Henderson picks off Johnny Langan, but on his way to what would have likely been a pick 6, he's tripped up in the open field by teammate Josiah Scott.

Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 (11:23 2nd)

Michigan State has it at the 15 after the fumble. Brian Lewerke's first-down throw misses the mark. Elijah Collins rushes for 2 yards on second down. Lewerke is sacked for a loss of 2 yards on third down.

Matt Coghlin's 33-yard field goal attempt clanks off the upright. No good.

Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 (9:56 2nd)

Michigan State goes three-and-out early in second quarter

Brandon Wright rushes for 3 yards on first down. Julius Turner beats his man inside and brings down Brian Lewerke on second down for an 11-yard loss. A screen pass on third down goes right throw Collins' hands and is nearly intercepted. 

Michigan State's first punt of the day is returned zero yards to the Rutgers 42.

Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 (12:46 2nd)

Penalties end Rutgers drive before it begins

Aaron Young returns Cole Hahn's kickoff to the 25.

A holding penalty on Rutgers makes it first-and-20 at the 15. Johnny Langan spins away from a tackle and goes down for a gain of 5 on first down. Young is wrapped up after gaining 7 yards on a second-down reception to bring up third-and-8.

END 1ST: Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 

Langan attempts to scramble for the first-down marker, but he's forced out of bounds about 3 yards short of the line to gain. 

Brandon Sowards waves for a fair catch at the Spartan 23.

Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 (14:17 2nd)

Michigan State extends lead to 10-0 late in first quarter

Anthony Williams rushes for a yard on first down. Elijah Collins finds the right-side edge and gets out of bounds at the Rutgers 48 for a gain of 12.

Brian Lewerke fakes the give on first down and throws deep to Jalen Nailor, which draws a pass interference flag. It'll be first-and-10 at the 33.

Collins rushes for just a yard on first and second down, each. Lewerke connects with Nailor on a shallow crossing route, but Nailor is blown up for a gain of only 3.

Matt Coghlin puts home a field goal from 46 yards out.

Michigan State 10, Rutgers 0 (1:11 1st)

Rutgers gains zero yards in three plays, punts

Aaron Young returns the kickoff for Rutgers to the 30. Johnny Langan throws three straight incomplete passes, and the Scarlet Knights will give it right back.

Adam Korsak's punt is downed at the Michigan State 39.

Michigan State 7, Rutgers 0 (4:33 1st)

White gives Michigan State takes 7-0 lead 

Brian Lewerke throws off play-action to Cody White, an 8-yard completion on first down. Lewerke has all day to throw on second down, going back to White for the fifth time today and gaining 19 yards. The Spartans have a first down at the Rutgers 37.

Jalen Nailor now takes an end-around for a gain of 4. Elijah Collins keeps the chains moving with an 8-yard pickup to the 25.

Collins rushes for 5 yards on first down. Lewerke on second down bobbles the snap and is wrapped up for a loss of 1. Lewerke throws White in the end zone on third down, an easy pitch and catch that's hauled in for a 21-yard touchdown pass.

Michigan State 7, Rutgers 0 (5:03 1st)

Michigan State defense recoups momentum with three-and-out

Rutgers gets it at its own 16.

Isaih Pacheco rushes for 3 yards on first down. Johnny Langan on second down hits Mohamed Jabbie for a 4-yard gain. Pacheco is stuffed for no gain on third down.

Adam Korsak's punt is fair caught at the Michigan State 36.

Michigan State 0, Rutgers 0 (8:38 1st)

Michigan State turns ball over on downs to open game

Rutgers wins the toss and will defer. It boots the opening kickoff out of bounds, giving Michigan State starting field position at the 35.

Brian Lewerke connects with Cody White for a 14-yard gain on the first play of the game.

Elijah Collins gets the Spartans to midfield with a 1-yard run on first down. Lewerke hits White on second down, again for 14 yards and a first down. 

Collins runs for 2 yards on first down. Jalen Nailor gets the ball on a sweep, reverses field, and runs to the 25-yard-line of Rutgers, a 9-yard gain that'll give Michigan State another first down.

White gets hit hard while pulling down a reception of 7 yards on first down. Collins' second-down run is stuffed for no gain. Lewerke keeps on third down and tries to shoot a gap on his right, but comes up a yard short of the marker. The Spartans rush to the line to get off a fourth-down play, which Rutgers completely shuts down.

The Spartans turn it over on downs.

Michigan State 0, Rutgers 0 (10:30 1st)

Pregame

Can the Spartans finally get back on track?

Michigan State carries a five-game losing streak into Saturday's game at Rutgers, facing a Scarlet Knights team seeking its first Big Ten win since Nov. 4, 2017.

The Spartans have allowed an average of 36.2 points during their five-game skid. 

Follow along for live updates from Detroit News contributor Nolan Bianchi.

MICHIGAN STATE AT RUTGERS

► Kickoff: Noon Saturday, SHI Stadium, Piscataway, N.J.

►TV/radio: FS1/760

►Records: Michigan State 4-6, 2-5 Big Ten; Rutgers 2-8, 0-7

►Line: Michigan State by 20½