EAST LANSING – It was a win, but far from the finish Michigan State was looking for.

The Spartans (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) nearly squandered a 21-point halftime lead as they held on for a 24-17 victory against Purdue (1-10, 0-8) on Friday night to complete a three- game to score losing streak.

The win keeps Michigan State in the hunt for bowl eligibility, with a win at home against Rutgers (6-4, 3-4) next week needed to earn a 13th game appearance.

Here are notable quotes from coach Jonathan Smith and players after the game:

Smith on beating Purdue 24-3 in the first half before being outscored 14-0 in the second half: “Obviously happy that I found a way to win a match. A kind of story of two halves.”

Quarterback Aidan Chiles on the offensive performance in the second half: “I’m not going to say how we played, but we didn’t play well.”

Smith about tight end Jack Velling, who was carted off the field after a violent goal in the first quarter: “I just spoke to him on the phone in the locker room. At the hospital, things were done thoroughly and as a precaution, but he was in good spirits. He was able to watch the game, but I don’t have anything definitive yet.”

Chiles on the pass attempt that injured Velling: “It was a kill-shot ball and that’s on me. … I wish I could take it back, but I sincerely apologize.”

Smith on Michigan State’s offensive struggles in the second half: “They showed us some pressure shots that we weren’t doing very well with, and then there was just a lack of execution.”

Linebacker Jordan Turner on the defensive performance after halftime: “We have to finish better in the second half. Unacceptable.”

Smith on running backs Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams (18 carries for 85 yards) and Nathan Carter (a touchdown run and touchdown catch): “I thought both guys played pretty well tonight.”

Chiles on continuing to chase a bowl game: “It means a lot. I feel like we should have been here a long time ago.”

Receiver Montorie Foster on the message before the final offensive possession to run out the clock: “Really, just do your job. It’s that simple. It’s nothing we need to overcomplicate.”

Chiles on his fourth-and-1 sneak to get a first down before kneeling the clock: “It wasn’t really a conversation. It was like we were going to win this game.”

Smith on a secondary decimated by injuries: “We play against a lot of different guys there. We’ve had guys go down, we’ve got young players in the game and they kept scratching and clawing and we’re going to need it again next week.

Safety Nikai Martinez on relying heavily on young defensive backs: “You always have to be ready, no matter what happens. Who would have thought we would have to go so deep, but we had to and at the end of the day they were ready and I was happy with that.”

Smith on defensive tackle D’Quan Douse, who was on the field for pregame warmups but did not play due to injury: “We were optimistic that he might be able to do it before the game, but he couldn’t. Hopefully next week.”

Turner continues to hold on to victory: “We really needed this win, but that’s a sloppy ending. We expect to finish better, especially since one of our key topics this week was consistency in execution.”

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