Needing to win their last two games of the season to become bowl eligible, Michigan State’s football team got one step closer to that goal. The Spartans took down Purdue on Friday night, 24-17, and improved to 5-6 on the season.

The defense got stops, generating sacks and turnovers.  Then came the second half shutdown, bringing on survival mode. And, eventually, escape at home against one of the nation’s worst teams.

Purdue football will be shorthanded Friday night at Michigan State in search of its first win since August. Most notably, the Boilermakers have depth concerns on the defensive line. Cole Brevard, who has started all 10 games this season,