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Northwestern at Michigan State

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Michigan State beat Northwestern 24–⁠14. It was their 50th meeting; after it, Michigan State led the series 35–⁠15 as played.

AwayNorthwestern8–⁠5 in 2009
14
HomeMichigan State6–⁠7 in 2009
24

Final at Spartan Stadium, East LansingTV: ESPN2Attendance 71,726

At kickoff
45°F, mostly cloudy, wind 9 mph from the northWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Capital City Airport (KLAN), 11 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northwestern070714
Michigan State0017724

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Northwestern

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Mike Kafka34/4729120
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Mike Kafka1842018
Stephen Simmons523018
Jeravin Matthews1606
Arby Fields2503
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Zeke Markshausen16111120
Andrew Brewer8104126
Charles Brown331016
Drake Dunsmore216012

Michigan State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Kirk Cousins21/3128120
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Larry Caper1663122
Edwin Baker1245011
Keshawn Martin1202
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Blair White12186247
B.J. Cunningham549020
Charlie Gantt115015
Andrew Hawken113013

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

NorthwesternMichigan State
370Total yards375
313Passing yards281
79Rushing yards94
6.2Yards per pass9.1
2.7Yards per rush2.8
22First downs19
8–⁠16Third downs5–⁠14
0–⁠2Fourth downs0–⁠1
2Turnovers1
4–⁠25Penalties4–⁠46
17:21Possession18:52

Efficiency

NorthwesternMichigan State
42%Success rate37%
0.08EPA per play−0.06
0.93Explosiveness1.12
−0.05Rushing EPA−0.59
0.16Passing EPA0.57
35%Passing-down success30%
0.02First-down EPA−0.08
−0.06Second-down EPA−0.17
0.53Third-down EPA0.54

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Michigan State 64% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

Michigan State end zoneNorthwestern end zoneQ1 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 7 playsQ1 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 9 playsQ1 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 9 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 4 playsQ2 NorthwesternTouchdown pass, 9 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ2 Michigan StateFumble, 8 playsQ2 NorthwesternFumble, 5 playsQ3 NorthwesternFumble, 4 playsQ3 Michigan StateTouchdown pass, 7 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 4 playsQ3 Michigan StateTouchdown pass, 8 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ3 Michigan StateField goal, 9 playsQ4 Michigan StateTouchdown run, 1 playQ4 NorthwesternTouchdown pass, 11 playsQ4 Michigan StatePunt, 2 playsQ4 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ4 Michigan StatePunt, 6 playsQ4 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 6 playsQ4 Michigan StateEnd of game, 3 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Michigan State drives left to right, Northwestern right to left.
  1. Q1 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 8 plays, −3 yards
  2. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 7 plays, 93 yards
  3. Q1 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 18 yards
  4. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 9 plays, 66 yards
  5. Q1 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 52 yards
  6. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 9 plays, 40 yards
  7. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 4 plays, 50 yards
  8. Q2 NorthwesternTouchdown pass, 9 plays, 33 yards
  9. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 63 yards
  10. Q2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 48 yards
  11. Q2 Michigan StateFumble, 8 plays, 38 yards
  12. Q2 NorthwesternFumble, 5 plays, 66 yards
  13. Q3 NorthwesternFumble, 4 plays, 48 yards
  14. Q3 Michigan StateTouchdown pass, 7 plays, 17 yards
  15. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 4 plays, 33 yards
  16. Q3 Michigan StateTouchdown pass, 8 plays, 41 yards
  17. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 72 yards
  18. Q3 Michigan StateField goal, 9 plays, 27 yards
  19. Q4 Michigan StateTouchdown run, 1 play, −25 yards
  20. Q4 NorthwesternTouchdown pass, 11 plays, 20 yards
  21. Q4 Michigan StatePunt, 2 plays, 67 yards
  22. Q4 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 45 yards
  23. Q4 Michigan StatePunt, 6 plays, 37 yards
  24. Q4 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 6 plays, 20 yards
  25. Q4 Michigan StateEnd of game, 3 plays, −11 yards

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Tied at 0
Michigan State Turnover on downs, 8 plays
14:451st & 10 at opp 46Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 8 yards to the Nwest 38.
14:152nd & 2 at opp 38Larry Caper rush for 13 yards to the Nwest 25 for a 1ST down.
13:481st & 10 at opp 25Kirk Cousins pass complete to Keshawn Martin for 10 yards to the Nwest 15 for a 1ST down.
13:241st & 10 at opp 15Edwin Baker rush for 11 yards to the Nwest 4 for a 1ST down.
12:521st & goal at opp 4Larry Caper rush for 1 yard to the Nwest 3.
12:242nd & goal at opp 3Edwin Baker rush for 2 yards to the Nwest 1.
11:313rd & goal at opp 1Larry Caper rush for no gain to the Nwest 1.
11:154th & goal at opp 1Kirk Cousins rush for no gain to the Nwest 1.
Northwestern Punt, 7 plays
10:551st & 10 at own 1Mike Kafka rush for 1 yard to the Nwest 2.
10:332nd & 9 at own 2Mike Kafka pass complete to Mark Woodsum for 6 yards to the Nwest 8.
10:003rd & 3 at own 8Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 9 yards to the Nwest 17 for a 1ST down.
9:451st & 10 at own 17Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 10 yards to the Nwest 27 for a 1ST down.
9:261st & 10 at own 27Mike Kafka pass complete to Andrew Brewer for 9 yards to the Nwest 36.
9:042nd & 1 at own 36Mike Kafka pass incomplete to Andrew Brewer.
8:403rd & 1 at own 36Team rush for a loss of 1 yard, fumbled, recovered by Nwest at the Nwest 35.
8:244th & 2 at own 35Stefan Demos punt for 21 yards, punt out-of-bounds at the MchSt 44.
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
8:161st & 10 at own 44Keshawn Martin rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 46.
7:512nd & 8 at own 46Kirk Cousins pass incomplete.
7:453rd & 8 at own 46Kirk Cousins pass incomplete.
7:364th & 8 at own 46Aaron Bates punt for 42 yards, returned by Hunter Bates for no gain to the Nwest 12.
Northwestern Punt, 9 plays
7:201st & 10 at own 12Jeravin Matthews rush for 6 yards to the Nwest 18.
6:452nd & 4 at own 18Stephen Simmons rush for a loss of 2 yards to the Nwest 16.
6:243rd & 6 at own 16Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 6 yards to the Nwest 22 for a 1ST down.
5:541st & 10 at own 22Dan Persa rush for 4 yards to the Nwest 26.
5:252nd & 6 at own 26Mike Kafka rush for 2 yards to the Nwest 28.
4:513rd & 4 at own 28Mike Kafka pass complete to Andrew Brewer for 7 yards to the Nwest 35 for a 1ST down.
4:351st & 10 at own 35Mike Kafka rush for no gain to the Nwest 35.
4:052nd & 10 at own 35Mike Kafka pass complete to Charles Brown for 7 yards to the Nwest 42.
3:333rd & 3 at own 42Mike Kafka pass complete to Stephen Simmons for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 41.
2:594th & 4 at own 41Stefan Demos punt for 31 yards, punt out-of-bounds at the MchSt 28.
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
2:301st & 10 at own 28Edwin Baker rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 32.
2:052nd & 6 at own 32Larry Caper rush for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 30.
1:323rd & 8 at own 30Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Blair White.
1:234th & 8 at own 30Aaron Bates punt for 40 yards, fair catch by Hunter Bates at the Nwest 30.
Northwestern Punt, 9 plays
1:121st & 10 at own 30Arby Fields rush for 2 yards to the Nwest 32.
0:462nd & 8 at own 32Mike Kafka rush for 7 yards to the Nwest 39.
0:253rd & 1 at own 39Mike Kafka rush for 2 yards to the Nwest 41 for a 1ST down.
0:001st & 10 at own 41Mike Kafka pass complete to Charles Brown for 8 yards to the Nwest 49.
Q2 14:542nd & 2 at own 49Arby Fields rush for 3 yards to the MchSt 48 for a 1ST down.
Q2 14:341st & 10 at opp 48Mike Kafka rush for 18 yards to the MchSt 30 for a 1ST down.
Q2 13:551st & 10 at opp 30Mike Kafka rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 29.
Q2 13:302nd & 9 at opp 29Mike Kafka sacked by Eric Gordon for a loss of 6 yards to the MchSt 35.
Q2 12:573rd & 15 at opp 35Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
Q2 12:474th & 15 at opp 35Stefan Demos punt for 35 yards for a touchback.
2nd quarter6 drives, then Northwestern 7, Michigan State 0
Michigan State Punt, 4 plays
12:281st & 10 at own 20Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 20 yards to the MchSt 40 for a 1ST down.
12:171st & 10 at own 40Kirk Cousins pass complete to Mark Dell for 8 yards to the MchSt 48.
11:452nd & 2 at own 48Larry Caper rush for a loss of 3 yards to the MchSt 45.
11:153rd & 5 at own 45Larry Caper rush for 3 yards to the MchSt 48.
10:184th & 2 at own 48Aaron Bates punt for 52 yards for a touchback.
Northwestern Touchdown pass, 9 plays
10:101st & 10 at own 20Mike Kafka pass complete to Andrew Brewer for 26 yards to the Nwest 46 for a 1ST down.
9:521st & 10 at own 46Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 8 yards to the MchSt 46.
9:322nd & 2 at opp 46Mike Kafka pass complete to Andrew Brewer for 13 yards to the MchSt 33 for a 1ST down.
9:181st & 10 at opp 33Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
9:132nd & 10 at opp 33Mike Kafka pass complete to Jeremy Ebert for 12 yards to the MchSt 21 for a 1ST down.
8:451st & 10 at opp 21Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 4 yards to the MchSt 17.
8:132nd & 6 at opp 17Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 7 yards to the MchSt 10 for a 1ST down.
7:551st & goal at opp 10Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
7:532nd & 0 at opp 10NORTHWESTERN penalty 5 yard False Start accepted.
7:492nd & goal at opp 15Mike Kafka pass complete to Andrew Brewer for 15 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Northwestern 6, Michigan State 0
7:49Stefan Demos extra point GOOD.Northwestern 7, Michigan State 0
7:49Stefan Demos kickoff for 70 yards for a touchback.
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
7:381st & 10 at own 20Kirk Cousins pass complete to B.J. Cunningham for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 19.
7:012nd & 11 at own 19Kirk Cousins pass incomplete.
6:303rd & 11 at own 19Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 10 yards to the MchSt 29.
6:134th & 1 at own 29Aaron Bates punt for 38 yards, punt out-of-bounds at the Nwest 33.
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
6:061st & 10 at own 33Mike Kafka sacked by Team for a loss of 7 yards to the Nwest 26.
5:352nd & 17 at own 26Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 8 yards to the Nwest 34.
4:583rd & 9 at own 34Mike Kafka rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 33.
4:414th & 10 at own 33Stefan Demos punt for 36 yards, downed at the MchSt 31.
Michigan State Fumble, 8 plays
4:301st & 10 at own 31Edwin Baker rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 36.
4:002nd & 5 at own 36Edwin Baker rush for a loss of 5 yards to the MchSt 31.
3:203rd & 10 at own 31NORTHWESTERN penalty 5 yard Offside accepted.
2:593rd & 5 at own 36Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 13 yards to the MchSt 49 for a 1ST down.
2:331st & 10 at own 49Kirk Cousins pass complete to B.J. Cunningham for 20 yards to the Nwest 31 for a 1ST down.
2:031st & 10 at opp 31Larry Caper rush for no gain to the Nwest 31.
1:302nd & 10 at opp 31Kirk Cousins pass complete to Andrew Hawken for 13 yards to the Nwest 18 for a 1ST down.
1:011st & 10 at opp 18Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Mark Dell.
0:552nd & 10 at opp 18Edwin Baker rush for a loss of 1 yard, fumbled at the Nwest 19.
Northwestern Fumble, 5 plays
0:481st & 10 at own 20Mike Kafka rush for 5 yards to the Nwest 25.
0:042nd & 5 at own 25Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
0:003rd & 5 at own 25Stephen Simmons rush for 18 yards to the Nwest 43 for a 1ST down.
Q3 15:00Brett Swenson kickoff for 58 yards returned by Jeravin Matthews for 11 yards to the Nwest 23, MICHIGAN ST penalty 15 yard Personal Foul accepted for a 1ST down.
3rd quarter6 drives, then Michigan State 17, Northwestern 7
Northwestern Fumble, 4 plays
14:281st & 10 at own 38Stephen Simmons rush for 1 yard to the Nwest 38.
14:102nd & 9 at own 39Mike Kafka rush for 2 yards to the Nwest 41.
13:453rd & 7 at own 41Mike Kafka pass complete to Andrew Brewer for 16 yards to the MchSt 43 for a 1ST down.
13:121st & 10 at opp 43Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 3 yards to the MchSt 40.
13:002nd & 7 at opp 40Mike Kafka pass complete to Drake Dunsmore for 4 yards, fumbled at the MchSt 36.
Michigan State Touchdown pass, 7 plays
12:321st & 10 at own 36Larry Caper rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 41.
12:152nd & 5 at own 41Kirk Cousins pass complete to B.J. Cunningham for 8 yards to the MchSt 49 for a 1ST down.
11:371st & 10 at own 49Kirk Cousins pass complete to B.J. Cunningham for 5 yards to the Nwest 46.
11:172nd & 5 at opp 46Larry Caper rush for 22 yards to the Nwest 24 for a 1ST down.
10:451st & 10 at opp 24Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 2 yards to the Nwest 22.
10:132nd & 8 at opp 22Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Keshawn Martin.
10:073rd & 8 at opp 22Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 22 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Northwestern 7, Michigan State 6
10:07Brett Swenson extra point GOOD.Tied at 7
10:07Brett Swenson kickoff for 63 yards returned by Jeravin Matthews for 22 yards to the Nwest 29.
Northwestern Punt, 4 plays
9:461st & 10 at own 29Mike Kafka rush for 7 yards to the Nwest 36, MICHIGAN ST penalty 15 yard Personal Foul accepted for a 1ST down.
9:301st & 10 at opp 49Stephen Simmons rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 47.
9:022nd & 8 at opp 47Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
8:313rd & 8 at opp 47Mike Kafka rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 42.
8:164th & 4 at opp 43Stefan Demos punt for 31 yards, fair catch by Keshawn Martin at the MchSt 12.
Michigan State Touchdown pass, 8 plays
8:091st & 10 at own 12Kirk Cousins pass incomplete.
8:002nd & 10 at own 13Larry Caper rush for no gain to the MchSt 13.
7:233rd & 10 at own 13Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 11 yards to the MchSt 24 for a 1ST down.
6:541st & 10 at own 24Edwin Baker rush for 11 yards to the MchSt 35 for a 1ST down.
6:201st & 10 at own 35Edwin Baker rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 36.
5:482nd & 9 at own 36Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to B.J. Cunningham.
5:433rd & 9 at own 36Kirk Cousins pass complete to B.J. Cunningham for 17 yards to the Nwest 47 for a 1ST down.
5:131st & 10 at opp 47Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 47 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Michigan State 13, Northwestern 7
5:13Brett Swenson extra point GOOD.Michigan State 14, Northwestern 7
5:13Brett Swenson kickoff for 65 yards returned by Jeravin Matthews for 18 yards to the Nwest 23.
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
4:551st & 10 at own 23Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 5 yards to the Nwest 28.
4:352nd & 5 at own 28Mike Kafka sacked by Greg Jones for a loss of 8 yards to the Nwest 20.
4:013rd & 13 at own 20Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
3:524th & 13 at own 20Stefan Demos punt for 44 yards, returned by Keshawn Martin for 9 yards to the MchSt 45.
Michigan State Field goal, 9 plays
3:441st & 10 at own 45Larry Caper rush for a loss of 3 yards to the MchSt 42.
3:152nd & 13 at own 42Kirk Cousins pass complete to Charlie Gantt for 15 yards to the Nwest 43 for a 1ST down.
2:431st & 10 at opp 43Edwin Baker rush for 11 yards to the Nwest 32 for a 1ST down.
2:211st & 10 at opp 32Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Brian Linthicum.
2:152nd & 10 at opp 32MICHIGAN ST penalty 10 yard Holding accepted, no play.
1:502nd & 20 at opp 42Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 22 yards to the Nwest 20 for a 1ST down.
1:271st & 10 at opp 20Edwin Baker rush for 1 yard to the Nwest 19.
1:102nd & 9 at opp 19Kirk Cousins rush for a loss of 5 yards to the Nwest 24.
0:113rd & 14 at opp 24Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 13 yards to the Nwest 11.
0:004th & 1 at opp 11Brett Swenson 28 yard field goal GOOD.Michigan State 17, Northwestern 7
Q4 14:57Brett Swenson kickoff for 54 yards returned by Jeravin Matthews for 6 yards, fumbled at the Nwest 22.
4th quarter7 drives, then Michigan State 24, Northwestern 14
Michigan State Touchdown run, 1 play
14:481st & 10 at opp 22Larry Caper rush for 22 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Michigan State 23, Northwestern 7
14:48Brett Swenson extra point GOOD.Michigan State 24, Northwestern 7
14:48Brett Swenson kickoff for 65 yards returned by Jeravin Matthews for 28 yards to the Nwest 33.
Northwestern Touchdown pass, 11 plays
14:371st & 10 at own 33Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 7 yards to the Nwest 40.
14:142nd & 3 at own 40Mike Kafka pass complete to Stephen Simmons for 11 yards to the MchSt 49 for a 1ST down.
13:461st & 10 at opp 49Mike Kafka rush for 9 yards to the MchSt 40.
13:302nd & 1 at opp 40Stephen Simmons rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 36 for a 1ST down.
13:001st & 10 at opp 36Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 4 yards to the MchSt 32.
12:302nd & 6 at opp 32Mike Kafka pass complete to Charles Brown for 16 yards to the MchSt 16 for a 1ST down.
12:161st & 10 at opp 16NORTHWESTERN penalty 5 yard False Start accepted.
11:561st & 15 at opp 21Mike Kafka pass incomplete to Mark Woodsum.
11:482nd & 15 at opp 21Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 20 yards to the MchSt 1 for a 1ST down.
11:311st & goal at opp 1Dan Persa rush for no gain to the MchSt 1.
10:542nd & goal at opp 1Mike Kafka rush for no gain to the MchSt 1.
10:283rd & goal at opp 1Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Michigan State 24, Northwestern 13
10:28Stefan Demos extra point GOOD.Michigan State 24, Northwestern 14
10:28Stefan Demos kickoff for 69 yards returned by Edwin Baker for 19 yards to the MchSt 20.
Michigan State Punt, 2 plays
10:001st & 10 at own 20Larry Caper rush for 3 yards to the MchSt 23.
9:202nd & 7 at own 23Larry Caper rush for no gain to the MchSt 23.
9:003rd & 7 at own 23Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 3 yards to the MchSt 26.
8:214th & 4 at own 26Aaron Bates punt for 37 yards, fair catch by Hunter Bates at the Nwest 37.
Northwestern Turnover on downs, 7 plays
8:131st & 10 at own 37MICHIGAN ST penalty 6 yard Pass Interference accepted, no play.
8:001st & 10 at own 43Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 4 yards to the Nwest 47.
7:342nd & 6 at own 47Mike Kafka pass complete to Stephen Simmons for 1 yard to the Nwest 48.
7:153rd & 5 at own 48Mike Kafka pass complete to Drake Dunsmore for 12 yards to the MchSt 40 for a 1ST down.
6:391st & 10 at opp 40Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
6:312nd & 10 at opp 40Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
6:263rd & 10 at opp 40Mike Kafka pass incomplete to Drake Dunsmore.
6:264th & 10 at opp 40Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 6:26.
6:194th & 10 at opp 40Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 8 yards to the MchSt 32.
Michigan State Punt, 6 plays
6:101st & 10 at own 33Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Mark Dell.
6:002nd & 10 at own 33Larry Caper rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 35.
5:173rd & 8 at own 35Kirk Cousins pass complete to Blair White for 15 yards to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down.
4:251st & 10 at the 50Edwin Baker rush for 9 yards to the Nwest 41.
3:472nd & 1 at opp 41Larry Caper rush for no gain to the Nwest 41.
3:473rd & 1 at opp 41Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 3:47.
3:393rd & 1 at opp 41Edwin Baker rush for a loss of 3 yards to the Nwest 44.
3:324th & 4 at opp 44Aaron Bates punt for 34 yards, returned by Hunter Bates for 10 yards to the Nwest 20.
Northwestern Turnover on downs, 6 plays
3:231st & 10 at own 20Mike Kafka pass complete to Zeke Markshausen for 7 yards to the Nwest 27.
3:002nd & 3 at own 27Mike Kafka pass complete to Andrew Brewer for 10 yards to the Nwest 37 for a 1ST down.
2:501st & 10 at own 37Mike Kafka pass incomplete.
2:422nd & 10 at own 37Mike Kafka rush for 5 yards to the Nwest 42.
2:273rd & 5 at own 42NORTHWESTERN penalty 10 yard Holding accepted, no play.
2:103rd & 15 at own 32Mike Kafka pass complete to Andrew Brewer for 8 yards to the Nwest 40.
2:104th & 7 at own 40Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 2:10.
2:034th & 7 at own 40Mike Kafka pass incomplete to Andrew Brewer.
Michigan State End of game, 3 plays
1:401st & 10 at opp 40Team rush for a loss of 6 yards to the Nwest 46.
1:002nd & 16 at opp 46Team rush for a loss of 3 yards to the Nwest 49.
0:003rd & 19 at opp 49Team rush for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 49.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Northwestern–Michigan State game

Officially, Michigan State leads 40–⁠21; as played, 41–⁠20 in 61 meetings, counting the 11 since this game.

Recent meetings
2026Northwestern 24, Michigan State 21
2021Michigan State 38, Northwestern 21
2020Michigan State 29, Northwestern 20
2019Michigan State 31, Northwestern 10
2018Northwestern 29, Michigan State 19
2017Northwestern 39, Michigan State 31

Around this game

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Michigan State

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 7