Mark Ingram, Sr caught a touchdown pass from Dave Yarema to give the Spartans a 7–0 lead with 2:03 left in the first half.
Todd Rampley responded early in the second half on a touchdown plunge with 11:14 left in the 3rd.
Georgia Tech narrowed the lead on a field foal by David Bell with 7:08 left in the game.
However, a fumble by the Spartans was recovered by the Yellow Jackets at the 42 with five minutes remaining, giving them the ball in Michigan State territory.
Six plays later, Malcolm King scored on a 5-yard touchdown run with 1:50 left to give Georgia Tech a 17–14 lead, which proved to be victory after Michigan State failed to get in range for the tie.