Return helps No. 11 MSU beat Northwestern 31-17

Published Nov. 26, 2011 3:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

Keshawn Martin returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown just before halftime and Kirk Cousins threw two TD passes to B.J. Cunningham as No. 11 Michigan State warmed up for next week's Big Ten championship game by beating Northwestern 31-17 on Saturday.

The Spartans had already wrapped up the Legends Division title and a berth in the league championship game next week. Now they have the best record in the division, as well, and 10 victories overall (10-2, 7-1).

Cousins threw a 33-yarder to Cunningham in the third quarter and hit him again on a juggling 29-yarder with 5:17 left to complete a 93-yard drive. It was the 62nd career TD pass for Cousins, breaking the school record held by Jeff Smoker (61).

Northwestern finished the regular season 6-6 and 3-5.