Payton Thorne threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns and Ben Patton hit two fourth-quarter field goals to lift Michigan State to a 27-21 victory over Rutgers and keep the Spartans’ bowl hopes alive.

The Scarlet Knights scored 14 points total through their first five Big Ten games last year. Rocky Lombardi was sacked and fumbled, giving Rutgers the ball at the Michigan State 1. Michigan State lost another fumble near midfield on its first possession of the third. A slow start wasn't much of a surprise, and even beyond all the turnovers, Michigan State looked disorganized on some key plays. Michigan State: The Spartans have a lot of improving to do heading into next weekend's matchup — on the road against rival Michigan.

(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers looks to snap its six-game losing streak when it hosts non-conference foe Liberty on Saturday. LINE: Liberty -7.5Stephen Calvert has thrown for 1,920 yards and 15 touchdowns to lead Liberty's offense, which is averaging 29.6 points per game. Rutgers' offense has been stuck in first gear all season, scoring a total of 14 points over its last four games. Rutgers' 11.1 points per game is the worst scoring average in the country. PREDICTION: Liberty 28, Rutgers 13More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.