Silicon Bowl: Mich. St. 44, Fresno St. 35

FRESNO, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Speedster Charles Rogers caught 10 passes for a school-record 270 yards and two touchdowns Monday as Michigan State held off the 21st-ranked Fresno State Bulldogs, 44-35, in the Silicon Valley Classic.

Rogers had touchdown receptions of 72 and 69 yards in an explosive first half to help the Spartans open a 37-21 lead. The teams combined for 752 total yards in the opening 30 minutes alone.

"I was just trying to make big plays in this game and get the win," Rogers said. "I have to give a lot of credit to T.J. (running back T.J. Duckett). He gave me the opportunity to get open and catch some balls.

"Also, when you have a great quarterback like Jeff (Smoker), things like that come. We read each other's mind."

"Charles had a career day, and it was a great job by Jeff to get the ball to him," Michigan State Coach Bobby Williams said. "This sets the stage for 2002."

Michigan State overcame a spectacular effort by Fresno State's David Carr, who passed for a career-high 531 yards and four touchdowns in an audition for the NFL draft. Carr, who completed 35 of 56 passes, is expected to be a high first-round pick.

The Bulldogs rushed for just 29 yards on 22 carries.

"It was one of those games where we scored and they scored. Back and forth," Carr said. "Our defense played really well in the second half. It was a great game and it was a shame someone had to lose."

Among those impressed by Carr's performance was his counterpart.

"He is a tremendous quarterback," Smoker said. "I watched what he did because he sets the standard as one of the best quarterbacks in the country."

Rodney Wright grabbed 13 passes for a school-record 299 yards for Fresno State (11-3), which scored 261 points in its final five regular-season games.

"It was a special season and I am going to miss this team," Wright said.

The Bulldogs had visions of a Bowl Championship Series berth after early-season wins over Colorado, Oregon State and Wisconsin. Those hopes ended with consecutive losses to Boise State and Hawaii, but Fresno State recovered to win its final five regular-season contests.

"There were great athletes on the field today," Fresno State Coach Pat Hill said. "This was a big-time football game."

Carr's 15-yard touchdown toss to Paris Gaines brought the Bulldogs within 37-35 with 6:04 left in the fourth quarter, but Michigan State responded with a seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive that consumed more than four minutes.

"It was really tough playing my last game," Carr said. "It was exciting and emotional walking down the ramp into that atmosphere. It was sad that we lost, but I have other things to look forward to."

Rogers had two crucial receptions during the drive, including a 43-yard grab that gave the Spartans a first down at the Bulldogs' 17. Three plays later, Jeff Smoker tossed a six-yard touchdown strike to Ivory McCoy to put the contest out of a reach with 1:59 remaining.

Operating against a prevent defense, Carr drove the Bulldogs inside the Michigan State 25 in the final minute, but cornerback Roderick Maples' interception return to the Fresno State 20 ended hopes for a comeback.

Smoker completed 22 of 32 passes for 376 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Michigan State's T.J Duckett rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.

Carr threw three touchdown passes in the first half, including strikes of 36 and 79 yards to Wright. But Duckett countered with scoring runs of five and 39 yards for Michigan State, which also got on the board when safety Monquiz Wedlow recovered a fumble in the end zone.

Fresno State closed to within 24-21 on Carr's 79-yard touchdown pass to Wright with 7:47 left in the first half. Duckett ripped off a 38-yard touchdown run 2 1/2 minutes later before Smoker and Rogers combined for a 69-yard touchdown with three minutes left to give the Spartans a 37-21 lead.