Michigan State shocks Baylor 42-41 in Cotton Bowl

LM Otero / AP Photo

Michigan State players hoist the trophy after they Baylor 42-41 in the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.

Stephen Hawkins, AP Sports Writer

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 | 2:17 p.m.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Connor Cook threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Keith Mumphery with 17 seconds left to cap a three-touchdown, fourth-quarter comeback in No. 7 Michigan State's 42-41 victory over playoff-snubbed Baylor on Thursday in the Cotton Bowl.

The Spartans (11-2) got the winning touchdown after Marcus Rush blocked a Baylor field goal with just more than a minute left.

When No. 4 Baylor (11-2) got the ball back for one last try, Bryce Petty was sacked on consecutive plays before Riley Bullough's clinching interception.

Petty completed 36 of 51 passes for a Cotton Bowl-record 550 yards and three touchdowns, two to speedy freshman KD Cannon and the other to 390-pount backup guard LaQuan McGowan that put Baylor up 41-21 late in the third quarter.

Jeremy Langford ran for 162 yards and three touchdowns for the Spartans, whose only losses were to playoff teams Oregon and Ohio State.