EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State avoided a major letdown, keeping its hopes alive to play for the Big Ten title.

Brett Swenson kicked a 44-yard field goal with 7 seconds left, lifting the 22nd-ranked Spartans to a 25-24 comeback win over Wisconsin today.

Michigan State (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) came out flat and seemed to be headed for a 1-5 record in games following its last six wins against Michigan, but took its first lead when the game was on the line.

Wisconsin (4-5, 1-5) hurt its chances of playing in a seventh straight bowl game after leading in the fourth quarter for the seventh time in nine games.

The Badgers led by 11 early in the fourth quarter, then fell apart just as they did with a 19-point lead in the Big Ten opener at Michigan.

Wisconsin had a chance to seal the victory, but a holding penalty negated a run to the Michigan State 4 and a first down. Instead, its 11th penalty pushed it back to the 40 and led to a punt.

The Spartans had the ball at their 17 with no timeouts and 1:19 left on the game-winning drive.

Brian Hoyer connected with Blair White twice on 20- and 32-yard receptions and his last pass was to B.J. Cunningham over the middle for a short gain with the clock running.

The Spartans scrambled to get lined up for a field goal, but were given a chance to set up because Wisconsin called a timeout with 12 seconds left. The Badgers called their last timeout, hoping to rattle the kicker only to watch Swenson make the field goal.

Michigan State is 8-2 for just the second time in four decades. If the Spartans avoid stumbling at home against Purdue, they will close the regular season at Penn State with a chance to at least share the Big Ten title for the first time since 1990.

Javon Ringer was held to a season-low 54 yards, but did scored two TDs for Michigan State. Hoyer was 19-of-44 for 252 yards, connecting with White seven times for 164 yards.

John Clay ran for 111 yards, including a 32-yard score that gave the Badgers a 24-13 lead with 9:19 left, and P.J. Hill had 106 yards rushing and a score that gave them an 11-point lead in the third.

Garrett Graham, making up for the loss of star tight end Travis Beckum, had six catches for 68 yards and the game's first TD.