EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State's defense and its special team thwarted Purdue's chances of extending its winning streak to the Ohio State victory.

The Spartans made life difficult for the Boilermakers on offense Saturday and blocked a potential game-tying field goal attempt to preserve a 23-13 victory at Spartan Stadium.

Saturday was Purdue's first loss since Sept. 15 to Missouri.

Mike Panasiuk blocked Spencer Evans' 41-yard attempt with 3:42 to play.

"I do not think it came off his foot well," Purdue coach Jeff Brohm said. "You should be able to get in there and make a kick." I do not think it's going to be a good idea. "

It was Evans' second missed field goal of the game. He missed a 57-yarder at the end of the first half after being kicked off for five yards for a false start.

• The chase for the Big Ten West championship is not over, and Purdue remains a player as the schedule hits November. A win over the Spartans would have kept the Boilermakers still in the loss column but there's still plenty of head-to-head matchups during the next four weeks. The winner will have two losses. Purdue has two losses. If the Boilermakers want to be in the end, it's probably going to have to run the table.

• The first thought following this loss is the Boilermakers had a letdown. It's been a lot of an emotional loss as it was the Spartans are a solid defensive team. This is not a surprise. Michigan State is the first elite defense Purdue's offense has seen this season. While Ohio State was athletic on defense, it was not considered one of the top units in the Big Ten and Jeff Brohm and his group picked apart Buckeyes, like Boston College, Nebraska and Illinois. But the Spartans' defense is for real and has been all season. They proved it again Saturday.

• Since MSU has been defensively defeated, David Blough and company all day. Blowing was under constant pressure and his receivers – outside of Moore's round – struggled to get open against press coverage. This is the next level Boilermakers need to reach, and that will not be until recruiting improves. Purdue also could not run the ball effectively, adding to its issues on this day.

• Blough's play during the last five games has been special to watch. The aggressive approach with Brohm's play-calling has pushed Purdue into conversations that did not seem possible after the 0-3 start. Blough did not have his best game Saturday. He was under pressure most of the day. He was forced out of the pocket before he was ready. It's going to be hurried throws and ones off the mark. He had his moments but not as many as the Texas native needed to win this game on the road. His 18 completions with about six minutes matched Ohio State.

• Who is Rocky Lombardi? The Spartans now has a quarterback brewing situation in East Lansing. Making his first start, Lombardi settled in, found his open receivers and used his legs to keep the chains moving. The one-time wrestler avoided turnovers and put his defense in position to stymie Purdue's offense. Lombardi was in the lineup due to Brian Lewerke, who is dealing with a shoulder issue. Even with Lewerke, MSU 's offense is one of many injuries.

SATURDAY'S GAME

Iowa at Purdue

Time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ABC or ESPN2

Radio: WAZY (96.5)