SAN ANTONIO – A 14-point fourth quarter allowed Texas Tech to overcome controversy and the Michigan State Spartans Saturday night in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

The Red Raiders, who had their coach fired earlier in the week, rallied from a 31-27 deficit in the final quarter to defeat the Spartans 41-31.

Michigan State had to overcome some issues of its own as the Spartans suspended 14 players for the contest.

The Spartans also overcame a 17-7 first half deficit to finally catch Texas Tech with 1:18 to play in the third quarter when Blair White hauled in an 8-yard scoring pass from wide receiver Keshawn Martin.

Brett Swenson’s 44-yard field goal with 5:03 remaining gave the Spartans a four-point advantage.

But the Red Raiders scored a pair of touchdowns in the final five minutes to pull out the victory.

Detron Lewis caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from S. Sheffield to make it 34-31 and then Baron Batch scored on a 13-yard run to cap the scoring with 2:08 remaining.

Texas Tech rolled up 579 yards in total offense compared to just 396 for the Spartans.

Michigan State ran for 148 yards and threw for 248 yards. The Red Raiders passed for 460 yards and ran for another 119.

Batch ran for 101 yards on 22 carries and Lewis caught 10 passes for 114 yards. Taylor Potts was 29-of-43 for 372 yards and two touchdowns.

Edwin Baker had 99 yards rushing for Michigan State and a touchdown, while Kirk Cousins was 13-of-27 for 220 yards and a touchdown.

White finished with six catches for 114 yards.

Michigan State 7 7 14 3 – 31
Texas Tech 7 13 7 14 – 41
TTU – Batch, Baron 3 run (Williams, Matt kick)
MSU – Baker, Edwin 46 run (Swenson, Brett kick)
TTU – Williams 21 field goal
TTU – Leong, Lyle 2 pass from Potts, Taylor (Williams kick)
MSU – Martin, Keshawn 48 pass from Cousins, Kirk (Swenson kick)
TTU – Williams 38 field goal
MSU – Nichol, Keith 7 run (Swenson kick)
TTU – Franks, Jacoby 14 pass from Potts (Williams kick)
MSU – White, Blair 8 pass from Martin (Swenson kick)
MSU – Swenson 44 field goal
TTU – Lewis, Detron 11 pass from Sheffield, S. (Williams kick)
TTU – Batch 13 run (Williams kick)