DAVIS BEVILLE

Although Pittsburgh was shorthanded on offense, Michigan State’s defense turned in a strong performance to cap the season with a 31-21 win on Thursday. 12 Panthers (11-3) to a season-low 274 yards of total offense, which was also the lowest total Michigan State gave up all season. “I’ll tell you what, the preparation leading up to this game was outstanding,” Michigan State coach Mel Tucker said. Michigan State’s offense squandered opportunities in the first half, then started the third quarter in disastrous fashion. We’re not where we need to be but we’re going to get there.”Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State DT Kyle King enters transfer portalFormer Michigan State DB Michael Dowell commits to PittsburghTakeaways, observations from Michigan State’s Peach Bowl win against PittsburghMichigan State WR Jayden Reed named Peach Bowl offensive MVP, undecided about futureOverheard outside Michigan State’s locker room: Emptying the bucket and in it to win itMichigan State caps resurgent season in fitting fashion with Peach Bowl win

Payton Thorne’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed gave No. 11 Michigan State the lead with less than three minutes remaining and the Spartans overcame an 11-point deficit to beat No. 13 Pittsburgh 31-21 on Thursday night in the Peach Bowl.

Notre Dame wide receiver Ben Skowronek (11) celebrates as he goes in the end zone past Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. 3 Notre Dame (5-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) had no such issues while handling the Panthers (3-4, 2-4) their fourth consecutive loss. The Fighting Irish effectively ended any hope Pitt — which has developed a reputation in recent years of being the occasional giant killer — might have had late in the second quarter. Three Pitt plays went nowhere and Irish sophomore defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey raced in untouched to block Kirk Christodoulou’s punt. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi called Notre Dame “as good a team we saw on the football field in six years.”“I thought we'd stack up better," Narduzzi said.