Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, quarterback Brian Lewerke, linebacker Chris Frey and wide receiver Felton Davis talk after the 42-17 win over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in San Diego. Video by Chris Solari/DFP
SAN DIEGO — Brian Lewerke took a big hit and fell to the ground.
Damion Terry came in and found the end zone.
A scary moment for the sophomore starter led to a special memory for his senior backup in Terry’s final collegiate game, a touchdown in Michigan State's 42-17 Holiday Bowl win over Washington State on Thursday night.
Lewerke got left the game briefly after taking a big hit on a run play in the third quarter. Trainers looked at his right knee, but Lewerke said after the game that he got hit in the helmet by Washington State’s Sean Harper Jr.
“When I got hit, it was mostly the head,” Lewerke said. “My head felt fine — those helmets are awesome — so that was good. Then I got up and started walking and my knee kind of hurt, so I just fell to the ground at that point.”
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Enter Terry, who pulled on his helmet while Lewerke was being examined after collapsing on the field. Terry ran for a 6-yard score two plays later. Lewerke, who had returned to the sideline with his helmet on when Terry scored, held for the extra-point kick and returned to the game on MSU’s next drive.
Lewerke said he believes it was just a bruise to his knee, but he said it was “awesome” his senior teammate could get one final college memory.
“So happy for him,” Lewerke said. “That's awesome that he handled that. I'm glad that he was able to do that.”
Terry said he was ready to get in the game, and he told his running back that he was not going to pitch the ball on the option run off the left side.
“I told everyone you could have bet me, I didn’t even think I was gonna play today, let alone score a touchdown,” Terry said. “It was amazing. I’m glad Brian is OK, No. 1. I saw the hit and I was like, ‘Wow.’”
Terry ran four times for 21 yards but had his one pass picked off. Still, coach Mark Dantonio also was happy for his senior, who battled injuries throughout his five seasons at MSU and could never get healthy enough to win the starting job.
“It was good to see him have his last game and have that feeling going out,” Dantonio said.
Long drive
MSU set a bowl record for most plays (16) and longest scoring drive by time (9 minutes, 24 seconds) to get the Spartans on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
“I knew I was tired,” senior center Brian Allen said. “I didn’t know how many plays it was until we came to the sidelines. … It was a long drive — grit, just punch it in at the end. It was good to see.”
Lewerke threw a 15-yard TD pass to Cody White TD that capped MSU’s 81-yard drive, which tied the season-high for most plays and set a new season-best time of possession.
“I think from that pass, we kind of just ran away with it,” Allen added.
Rough night
Cornerback Josiah Scott got called for a pass interference penalty, then gave up a 14-yard touchdown catch to Washington State’s Tay Martin two plays later. Things got chippy and chirpy, and Martin was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the score.
On the Cougars’ next drive, Martin was called for an offensive pass interference penalty that negated a catch over Scott. Then on the next play, the MSU freshman hit running back James Williams with his helmet, and Scott was ejected for targeting with 10:31 to play.
By NCAA rules, Scott will be required to sit out the first half of the Spartans’ season-opening game against Utah State on Aug. 31, 2018.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!
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