The Spartans were 5th in the Big Ten Conference in Nick Saban's first year with the program.
LSU was 4th in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference in Gerry DiNardo's first year with the program as well.
Muhsin Muhammad gave the Spartans the lead after catching a touchdown pass from Tony Banks in the first quarter.
A kickoff return for a touchdown by the Spartans along with a field goal by Gardner made it 24-7.
A 92-yard kickoff return narrowed the lead to 10, and Kevin Faulk's 51 yard touchdown run made the halftime deficit 24-21.