Bloomington, IN -- (Sports Network) - Javon Ringer ran for 198 yards and a touchdown, leading the Michigan State Spartans to a 42-29 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in Big Ten Conference action at Memorial Stadium.

Ringer came up just short in his bid for a third straight 200-yard rushing performance. Brian Hoyer completed 14-of-26 passes for 261 yards and two TDs for the Spartans (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten).

Kellen Lewis threw for 177 yards, two TDs and one INT for IU (2-2, 0-1), despite missing more than a quarter of game action with a left leg injury. Backup Ben Chappell stepped in and completed 11-of-23 passes for 107 yards and an interception. Marcus Thigpen was productive in the running game, with 113 yards and two TDs in just nine carries. He also scored on a 79-yard reception.

Brett Swenson got the Spartans on the scoreboard first with a 45-yard field goal at the 9:07 mark of the opening quarter.

But the Hoosiers took the ensuing kickoff and drove right down the field, as Lewis connected with Ray Fisher for an eight-yard scoring strike.

Swenson booted a 48-yarder to make it a 7-6 game.

Lewis was injured on the ensuing drive, and Chappell's third pass attempt was intercepted and returned deep into Indiana territory. Two plays later, Hoyer pushed forward for a one-yard touchdown to give the Spartans a 13-7 lead.

MSU expanded its lead to 20-7 at the 9:18 mark of the second quarter, when Hoyer found Mark Dell for a 14-yard touchdown pass.

But Indiana wasn't about to go quietly. The Hoosiers answered with an 80-yard drive, capped by Thigpen's six-yard touchdown run.

Three minutes later, IU scored on a safety after the Spartans recovered a blocked punt in their own end zone.

But IU went three and out on its next drive and had to punt it away. Two plays later, Hoyer connected with Charlie Gantt for an 82-yard touchdown.

However, Thigpen came up big once again for the Spartans, racing 78 yards to the end zone to give his team a 27-22 lead just before halftime.

MSU opened the second half with two big plays, which set the stage for Ringer to score on a one-yard touchdown run.

But the see-saw battle continued on the second play of the ensuing possession, when Lewis connected with Thigpen for a 79-yard touchdown pass.

Later in the third quarter, Chappell threw what appeared to be a 97-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Turner. Instead, right guard Cody Faulkner was whistled for holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety, and a 36-29 lead for the Spartans.

Swenson padded MSU's lead by adding field goals of 45 and 32 yards in the fourth quarter.

Ringer and Hoyer turned out to be the difference-makers. Hoyer averaged a hefty 10 yards per pass attempt, while Ringer averaged 4.5 yards per carry on the ground.