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Northwestern at Michigan State

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Northwestern beat Michigan State 54–⁠40. It was their 55th meeting; after it, Michigan State led the series 38–⁠17 as played.

AwayNorthwestern7–⁠6 in 2016
54
HomeMichigan State3–⁠9 in 2016
40

Final at Spartan Stadium, East LansingTV: BTNAttendance 75,625

At kickoff
69°F, partly cloudy, wind 15 mph from the southWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Capital City Airport (KLAN), 11 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Officials
Referee John O’Neill; umpire Bobby Colosimo; head linesman William Sutter; line judge Tom Krispinsky; side judge Steve Hassel; field judge Ed Rohan; back judge Michael Elliott; center judge Mike ConlinGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northwestern712211454
Michigan State14314940

Standouts

  • PassingClayton Thorson27 of 35, 281 yards, 3 TD, 1 INTNorthwestern
  • RushingJustin Jackson34 carries, 188 yards, 2 TDNorthwestern
  • ReceivingR.J. Shelton7 catches, 190 yards, 2 TDMichigan State
  • DefenseMalik McDowell11 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 for lossMichigan State

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

Player stats

Northwestern

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Clayton Thorson27/3528131
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Justin Jackson34188229
Clayton Thorson51219
John Moten IV81205
Solomon Vault1101
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Austin Carr11130229
Flynn Nagel581157
Andrew Scanlan232020
Macan Wilson21508
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Godwin Igwebuike9000
Anthony Walker7110
Kyle Queiro7000
Jaylen Prater5100
Ifeadi Odenigbo4220
Joe Gaziano4110
Jared McGee2001

Michigan State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Tyler O’Connor13/2128131
Brian Lewerke12/199910
R.J. Shelton2/24400
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Brian Lewerke730024
L.J. Scott325023
Madre London3602
Gerald Holmes5503
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
R.J. Shelton7190286
Donnie Corley573125
Josiah Price452119
Jamal Lyles339017
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Montae Nicholson13100
Riley Bullough12000
Malik McDowell1120.50
Andrew Dowell9000
Josh Butler30.50.50
Justin Layne3001

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

Team stats

NorthwesternMichigan State
490Total yards475
281Passing yards424
209Rushing yards51
8.0Yards per pass10.1
4.1Yards per rush2.2
26First downs18
10–⁠19Third downs5–⁠16
1–⁠1Fourth downs0–⁠1
1Turnovers2
4–⁠25Penalties5–⁠34
35:34Possession24:26
4Sacks (by defense)1

Efficiency

NorthwesternMichigan State
45%Success rate33%
0.17EPA per play0.20
1.19Explosiveness1.82
0.01Rushing EPA−0.12
0.40Passing EPA0.38
29%Passing-down success21%
0.14First-down EPA0.39
−0.07Second-down EPA0.12
0.41Third-down EPA0.23
18%Havoc by its defense8%

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 and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Michigan State 64% to win. Northwestern won as Elo’s underdog.

The line

Michigan State −6.5, over/under 41.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Michigan State 67%, Northwestern 33%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Michigan State end zoneNorthwestern end zoneQ1 Michigan StatePunt, 6 playsQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 3 playsQ1 NorthwesternPick-six, 3 plays (Michigan State scores)Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ1 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 8 playsQ1 Michigan StateField goal, 9 playsQ2 NorthwesternTouchdown, 12 playsQ2 Michigan StateSafety, 3 plays (Northwestern scores)Q2 NorthwesternField goal, 7 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 NorthwesternPunt, 6 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 NorthwesternEnd of half, 1 playQ3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 4 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 6 playsQ3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 10 playsQ3 Michigan StateTouchdown, 3 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ3 Michigan StateFumble, 4 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ3 Michigan StateTouchdown, 1 playQ3 NorthwesternTouchdownQ3 Michigan StateInterception, 6 playsQ4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 13 playsQ4 Michigan StateTouchdown, 5 playsQ4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 6 playsQ4 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 5 playsQ4 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ4 Michigan StateField goal, 7 playsQ4 NorthwesternEnd of game, 2 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 StatePunt, 6 plays, 38 yards
  2. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  3. Q1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 3 plays, 39 yards
  4. Q1 NorthwesternPick-six, 3 plays (Michigan State scores), 4 yards
  5. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  6. Q1 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  7. Q1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 8 plays, 61 yards
  8. Q1 Michigan StateField goal, 9 plays, 52 yards
  9. Q2 NorthwesternTouchdown, 12 plays, 75 yards
  10. Q2 Michigan StateSafety, 3 plays (Northwestern scores), −5 yards
  11. Q2 NorthwesternField goal, 7 plays, 33 yards
  12. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  13. Q2 NorthwesternPunt, 6 plays, 5 yards
  14. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  15. Q2 NorthwesternEnd of half, 1 play, −2 yards
  16. Q3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 4 plays, 75 yards
  17. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 6 plays, 20 yards
  18. Q3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 10 plays, 86 yards
  19. Q3 Michigan StateTouchdown, 3 plays, 75 yards
  20. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  21. Q3 Michigan StateFumble, 4 plays, 13 yards
  22. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, −2 yards
  23. Q3 Michigan StateTouchdown, 1 play, 86 yards
  24. Q3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 0 yards
  25. Q3 Michigan StateInterception, 6 plays, 15 yards
  26. Q4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 13 plays, 91 yards
  27. Q4 Michigan StateTouchdown, 5 plays, 76 yards
  28. Q4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 6 plays, 47 yards
  29. Q4 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 5 plays, 32 yards
  30. Q4 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  31. Q4 Michigan StateField goal, 7 plays, 11 yards
  32. Q4 NorthwesternEnd of game, 2 plays, −2 yards

Play by play

1st quarter8 drives, then Michigan State 14, Northwestern 7
Michigan State Punt, 6 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Gerald Holmes run for 3 yds to the MchSt 28
15:002nd & 7 at own 28Brian Lewerke run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 27
15:003rd & 8 at own 27Brian Lewerke pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 33 yds to the Nwest 40 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 40Gerald Holmes run for 1 yd to the Nwest 39
15:002nd & 9 at opp 39Brian Lewerke run for 2 yds to the Nwest 37
15:003rd & 7 at opp 37Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to R.J. Shelton
15:004th & 7 at opp 37Jake Hartbarger punt for 36 yds, downed at the Nwest 1
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
12:301st & 10 at own 1Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 4
12:302nd & 7 at own 4Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Nwest 5
12:303rd & 6 at own 5Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Flynn Nagel
12:304th & 6 at own 5Hunter Niswander punt for 34 yds, fair catch by R.J. Shelton at the Nwest 39
Michigan State Touchdown, 3 plays
11:141st & 10 at opp 39Brian Lewerke run for 24 yds to the Nwest 15 for a 1ST down
11:141st & 10 at opp 15Gerald Holmes run for no gain to the Nwest 15
9:532nd & 10 at opp 15Brian Lewerke pass complete to Josiah Price for 15 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK)Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Pick-six, 3 plays (Michigan State scores)
9:531st & 0 at own 35Kevin Cronin kickoff for 50 yds
9:531st & 10 at own 35Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 8 yds to the Nwest 43
9:532nd & 2 at own 43Clayton Thorson pass complete to Solomon Vault for 1 yd to the Nwest 44
9:533rd & 1 at own 44NORTHWESTERN Penalty, false start (-5 Yards) to the Nwest 39
8:313rd & 6 at own 39Clayton Thorson pass intercepted for a TD Justin Layne return for 43 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK)Michigan State 14, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
8:311st & 0 at own 35Kevin Cronin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:311st & 10 at own 25Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 28
8:312nd & 7 at own 28Clayton Thorson pass incomplete NORTHWESTERN Penalty, ineligible downfield on pass ( Yards) declined
8:313rd & 7 at own 28Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Solomon Vault
8:314th & 7 at own 28Hunter Niswander punt for 62 yds, downed at the MchSt 10
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
7:481st & 10 at own 10LJ Scott run for 2 yds to the MchSt 12
7:482nd & 8 at own 12Brian Lewerke run for 5 yds to the MchSt 17
7:483rd & 3 at own 17Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Donnie Corley
7:484th & 3 at own 17Jake Hartbarger punt for 44 yds , Flynn Nagel returns for no gain to the Nwest 39
Northwestern Touchdown, 8 plays
6:151st & 10 at own 39John Moten IV run for 2 yds to the Nwest 41
5:492nd & 8 at own 41Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 05:49
5:492nd & 8 at own 41Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 11 yds to the MchSt 48 for a 1ST down
5:491st & 10 at opp 48Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the MchSt 45
5:492nd & 7 at opp 45Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 6 yds to the MchSt 39
5:493rd & 1 at opp 39Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the MchSt 36 for a 1ST down
5:491st & 10 at opp 36NORTHWESTERN Penalty, false start (-5 Yards) to the MchSt 41
5:491st & 15 at opp 41Justin Jackson run for 6 yds to the MchSt 35
5:492nd & 9 at opp 35Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 6 yds to the MchSt 29
3:323rd & 3 at opp 29Justin Jackson run for 29 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Michigan State 14, Northwestern 7
Michigan State Field goal, 9 plays
3:321st & 0 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
3:321st & 10 at own 25LJ Scott run for 23 yds to the MchSt 48 for a 1ST down
3:321st & 10 at own 48Brian Lewerke run for 2 yds to the 50 yard line
3:322nd & 8 at the 50Brian Lewerke pass complete to Josiah Price for 4 yds to the Nwest 46
3:323rd & 4 at opp 46Brian Lewerke run for 5 yds to the Nwest 41 for a 1ST down
3:321st & 10 at opp 41Brian Lewerke pass complete to Prescott Line for 12 yds to the Nwest 29 for a 1ST down
3:321st & 10 at opp 29Donnie Corley run for 5 yds to the Nwest 24
3:322nd & 5 at opp 24Scott, LJ rush for 10 yards to the NU14 (Igwebuike, Godwin;Hartage, Montre), PENALTY MSU holding 10 yards to the NU34, NO PLAY.
3:322nd & 15 at opp 34Brian Lewerke pass complete to Jamal Lyles for 9 yds to the Nwest 25
Q2 15:003rd & 6 at opp 25Brian Lewerke pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 2 yds to the Nwest 23
Q2 14:154th & 4 at opp 23Michael Geiger 41 yd FG GOODMichigan State 17, Northwestern 7
2nd quarter7 drives, then Northwestern 19, Michigan State 17
Northwestern Touchdown, 12 plays
14:151st & 0 at own 35Kevin Cronin kickoff for 64 yds , Flynn Nagel return for 24 yds to the Nwest 25
14:101st & 10 at own 25Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 9 yds to the Nwest 34
14:102nd & 1 at own 34Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 36 for a 1ST down
14:101st & 10 at own 36Clayton Thorson run for 9 yds to the Nwest 45
14:102nd & 1 at own 45Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 47 for a 1ST down
14:101st & 10 at own 47Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 7 yds to the MchSt 46
14:102nd & 3 at opp 46Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 2 yds to the MchSt 44
14:103rd & 1 at opp 44Justin Jackson run for 4 yds to the MchSt 40 for a 1ST down
14:101st & 10 at opp 40Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 15 yds to the MchSt 25 for a 1ST down
14:101st & 10 at opp 25Clayton Thorson run for 1 yd to the MchSt 24
14:102nd & 9 at opp 24Thorson, Clayton pass incomplete to Wilson, Macan, QB hurry by Cooper, Demetrius, PENALTY MSU holding 10 yards to the MSU14, 1ST DOWN NU, NO PLAY.
14:101st & 10 at opp 14Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the MchSt 11
14:102nd & 7 at opp 11Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the MchSt 9
10:043rd & 5 at opp 9Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 9 yds for a TD MICHIGAN ST Penalty, offside defense ( Yards) declined, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Michigan State 17, Northwestern 14
Michigan State Safety, 3 plays (Northwestern scores)
10:041st & 0 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds , R.J. Shelton return for 10 yds to the MchSt 45 MICHIGAN ST Penalty, illegal block (5 Yards) to the MchSt 5
9:581st & 10 at own 5Madre London run for 2 yds to the MchSt 7
9:582nd & 8 at own 7Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Donnie Corley
9:233rd & 8 at own 7Joe Gaziano SafetyMichigan State 17, Northwestern 16
Northwestern Field goal, 7 plays
9:231st & 0 at own 20Jake Hartbarger kickoff for 42 yds , Garrett Dickerson return for 13 yds to the MchSt 49
9:191st & 10 at opp 49Clayton Thorson pass complete to Macan Wilson for 8 yds to the MchSt 41
9:192nd & 2 at opp 41Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the MchSt 38 for a 1ST down
9:191st & 10 at opp 38Justin Jackson run for 22 yds to the MchSt 16 for a 1ST down
9:191st & 10 at opp 16Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for a loss of 3 yards to the MchSt 19
9:192nd & 13 at opp 19NORTHWESTERN Penalty, false start (-5 Yards) to the MchSt 24
9:192nd & 18 at opp 24Justin Jackson run for 8 yds to the MchSt 16
9:193rd & 10 at opp 16Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Justin Jackson
6:424th & 10 at opp 16Jack Mitchell 33 yd FG GOODNorthwestern 19, Michigan State 17
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
6:421st & 0 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 62 yds , R.J. Shelton return for 17 yds to the MchSt 20
6:371st & 10 at own 20Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Monty Madaris, broken up by Trae Williams
6:372nd & 10 at own 20Madre London run for 2 yds to the MchSt 22
6:373rd & 8 at own 22Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to R.J. Shelton, broken up by Godwin Igwebuike
6:374th & 8 at own 22Jake Hartbarger punt for 44 yds , Flynn Nagel returns for 7 yds to the Nwest 29 NORTHWESTERN Penalty, Offensive holding (10 Yards) to the Nwest 31
Northwestern Punt, 6 plays
5:291st & 10 at own 31Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 33
5:292nd & 8 at own 33Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 32
5:293rd & 9 at own 32Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 10 yds to the Nwest 42 for a 1ST down
5:291st & 10 at own 42Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Nwest 43
5:292nd & 9 at own 43Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Nwest 44
5:293rd & 8 at own 44Clayton Thorson sacked by Malik McDowell and Josh Butler for a loss of 8 yards to the Nwest 36
2:194th & 16 at own 36Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 02:19
2:194th & 16 at own 36Hunter Niswander punt for 42 yds , Brandon Sowards returns for 6 yds to the MchSt 28
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
2:091st & 10 at own 28Brian Lewerke pass complete to R.J. Shelton for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 27
2:092nd & 11 at own 27Brian Lewerke pass complete to Gerald Holmes for 5 yds to the MchSt 32
2:093rd & 6 at own 32Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Josiah Price
2:094th & 6 at own 32Jake Hartbarger punt for 61 yds , Flynn Nagel returns for 5 yds to the Nwest 12
Northwestern End of half, 1 play
0:271st & 10 at own 12TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the Nwest 10
3rd quarter9 drives, then Northwestern 40, Michigan State 31
Northwestern Touchdown, 4 plays
15:002nd & 12 at own 35Kevin Cronin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 6 yds to the Nwest 31
15:002nd & 4 at own 31Justin Jackson run for no gain to the Nwest 31
15:003rd & 4 at own 31Clayton Thorson pass complete to Andrew Scanlan for 12 yds to the Nwest 43 for a 1ST down
13:281st & 10 at own 43Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 57 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Northwestern 26, Michigan State 17
Michigan State Punt, 6 plays
13:281st & 0 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 64 yds , R.J. Shelton return for 19 yds to the MchSt 20
13:231st & 10 at own 20Brian Lewerke pass complete to LJ Scott for no gain to the MchSt 20
13:232nd & 10 at own 20Brian Lewerke pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 5 yds to the MchSt 25
13:233rd & 5 at own 25Brian Lewerke pass complete to Donnie Corley for 13 yds to the MchSt 38 for a 1ST down
13:231st & 10 at own 38LJ Scott run for no gain to the MchSt 38
13:232nd & 10 at own 38Brian Lewerke pass complete to LJ Scott for 2 yds to the MchSt 40
13:233rd & 8 at own 40Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Donnie Corley
13:234th & 8 at own 40Jake Hartbarger punt for 46 yds, fair catch by Flynn Nagel at the Nwest 14
Northwestern Touchdown, 10 plays
10:171st & 10 at own 14Clayton Thorson pass complete to Solomon Vault for 7 yds to the Nwest 21
10:172nd & 3 at own 21Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Nwest 22
10:173rd & 2 at own 22Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 11 yds to the Nwest 33 for a 1ST down
10:171st & 10 at own 33Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 8 yds to the Nwest 41
10:172nd & 2 at own 41Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 14 yds to the MchSt 45 for a 1ST down
10:171st & 10 at opp 45Clayton Thorson pass complete to Andrew Scanlan for 20 yds to the MchSt 25 for a 1ST down
10:171st & 10 at opp 25Clayton Thorson pass incomplete
10:172nd & 10 at opp 25Justin Jackson run for 11 yds to the MchSt 14 for a 1ST down
10:171st & 10 at opp 14Justin Jackson run for 5 yds to the MchSt 9
6:492nd & 5 at opp 9Clayton Thorson run for 9 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Northwestern 33, Michigan State 17
Michigan State Touchdown, 3 plays
6:491st & 0 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
6:491st & 10 at own 25Madre London run for 2 yds to the MchSt 27
6:492nd & 8 at own 27Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Josiah Price for 14 yds to the MchSt 41 for a 1ST down
5:541st & 10 at own 41Tyler O’Connor pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 59 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK)Northwestern 33, Michigan State 24
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
5:541st & 0 at own 35Kevin Cronin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
5:541st & 10 at own 25Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 1 yd to the Nwest 26
5:542nd & 9 at own 26Justin Jackson run for 4 yds to the Nwest 30
5:543rd & 5 at own 30Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Solomon Vault
5:544th & 5 at own 30Hunter Niswander punt for 47 yds , Brandon Sowards returns for 5 yds to the MchSt 28
Michigan State Fumble, 4 plays
4:441st & 10 at own 28Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Jamal Lyles for 17 yds to the MchSt 45 for a 1ST down
4:441st & 10 at own 45Gerald Holmes run for 1 yd to the MchSt 46
4:442nd & 9 at own 46Tyler O’Connor pass incomplete to R.J. Shelton
4:443rd & 9 at own 46Tyler O’Connor sacked by Ifeadi Odenigbo for a loss of 5 yards to the MchSt 41 Tyler O’Connor fumbled, recovered by Nwest Joe Gaziano , return for 0 yards
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
3:361st & 10 at opp 41Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Garrett Dickerson
3:362nd & 10 at opp 41Justin Jackson run for 4 yds to the MchSt 37
3:363rd & 6 at opp 37Justin Jackson run for a loss of 6 yards to the MchSt 43
3:364th & 12 at opp 43Hunter Niswander punt for 29 yds, fair catch by Brandon Sowards at the MchSt 14
Michigan State Touchdown, 1 play
2:081st & 10 at own 14Tyler O’Connor pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 86 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK)Northwestern 33, Michigan State 31
1:531st & 0 at own 35Kevin Cronin kickoff for 60 yds , Solomon Vault return for 95 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Northwestern 40, Michigan State 31
Michigan State Interception, 6 plays
1:531st & 0 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:531st & 10 at own 25Tyler O’Connor sacked by Jr. Anthony Walker for a loss of 7 yards to the MchSt 18
1:532nd & 17 at own 18Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Trishton Jackson for 7 yds to the MchSt 25
1:533rd & 10 at own 25Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Felton Davis III for 15 yds to the MchSt 40 for a 1ST down
1:531st & 10 at own 40Gerald Holmes run for no gain to the MchSt 40
Q4 15:002nd & 10 at own 40Tyler O’Connor pass incomplete to R.J. Shelton
Q4 15:003rd & 10 at own 40Tyler O’Connor pass intercepted Jared McGee return for no gain to the Nwest 9
4th quarter7 drives, then Northwestern 54, Michigan State 40
Northwestern Touchdown, 13 plays
14:431st & 10 at own 9Justin Jackson run for no gain to the Nwest 9
14:432nd & 10 at own 9Clayton Thorson pass complete to Garrett Dickerson for 5 yds to the Nwest 14
14:433rd & 5 at own 14Thorson, Clayton pass incomplete to Nagel, Flynn, PENALTY MSU offside defense 4 yards to the NU18, NO PLAY.
13:413rd & 1 at own 18Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 13:41
13:413rd & 1 at own 18Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 21 for a 1ST down
13:411st & 10 at own 21Justin Jackson run for 6 yds to the Nwest 27
13:412nd & 4 at own 27Justin Jackson run for 8 yds to the Nwest 35 for a 1ST down
13:411st & 10 at own 35Justin Jackson run for 9 yds to the Nwest 44
13:412nd & 1 at own 44Justin Jackson run for 9 yds to the MchSt 47 for a 1ST down
13:411st & 10 at opp 47Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the MchSt 44
13:412nd & 7 at opp 44Clayton Thorson run for 1 yd to the MchSt 43
13:413rd & 6 at opp 43Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 16 yds to the MchSt 27 for a 1ST down
13:411st & 10 at opp 27John Moten IV run for no gain to the MchSt 27
13:412nd & 10 at opp 27Solomon Vault run for 1 yd to the MchSt 26
8:253rd & 9 at opp 26Justin Jackson run for 26 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Northwestern 47, Michigan State 31
Michigan State Touchdown, 5 plays
8:251st & 0 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds , R.J. Shelton return for 24 yds to the MchSt 24
8:191st & 10 at own 24Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Delton Williams for 22 yds to the MchSt 46 for a 1ST down
8:191st & 10 at own 46Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Donnie Corley for 19 yds to the Nwest 35 for a 1ST down
8:191st & 10 at opp 35R.J. Shelton pass complete to Josiah Price for 19 yds to the Nwest 16 for a 1ST down
8:191st & 10 at opp 16Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Donnie Corley for 7 yds to the Nwest 9
7:102nd & 3 at opp 9Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Donnie Corley for 9 yds for a TD, (Two-Point Conversion failed )Northwestern 47, Michigan State 37
Northwestern Touchdown, 6 plays
7:101st & 0 at own 35Kevin Cronin on-side kick recovered by NORTHWESTERN at the MICHIGANST 48 MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive offside (-5 Yards) to the MchSt 47
7:091st & 10 at opp 47Justin Jackson run for 7 yds to the MchSt 40
7:092nd & 3 at opp 40Clayton Thorson pass complete to Macan Wilson for 7 yds to the MchSt 33 for a 1ST down
7:091st & 10 at opp 33John Moten IV run for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 35
7:092nd & 12 at opp 35John Moten IV run for 1 yd to the MchSt 34
5:243rd & 11 at opp 34Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 05:24
5:243rd & 11 at opp 34John Moten IV run for 5 yds to the MchSt 29
5:094th & 6 at opp 29Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 05:09
5:024th & 6 at opp 29Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 29 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Northwestern 54, Michigan State 37
Michigan State Turnover on downs, 5 plays
5:021st & 0 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
5:021st & 10 at own 25R.J. Shelton pass complete to Donnie Corley for 25 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
5:021st & 10 at the 50Tyler O’Connor pass incomplete to Donnie Corley
5:022nd & 10 at the 50Tyler O’Connor run for 7 yds to the Nwest 43
5:023rd & 3 at opp 43Tyler O’Connor pass incomplete to Monty Madaris, broken up by Montre Hartage
5:024th & 3 at opp 43Tyler O’Connor pass incomplete to R.J. Shelton, broken up by Kyle Queiro
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
4:091st & 10 at own 43John Moten IV run for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 42
4:092nd & 11 at own 42John Moten IV run for 3 yds to the Nwest 45
4:093rd & 8 at own 45John Moten IV run for 4 yds to the Nwest 49
2:314th & 4 at own 49Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 02:31
2:314th & 4 at own 49Hunter Niswander punt blocked by Edward Barksdale blocked by Edward Barksdale Jalen Watts-Jackson return for 13 yds to the Nwest 29
Michigan State Field goal, 7 plays
2:221st & 10 at opp 29Tyler O’Connor pass incomplete to Donnie Corley
2:222nd & 10 at opp 29Tyler O’Connor pass complete to R.J. Shelton for 6 yds to the Nwest 23
2:223rd & 4 at opp 23Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Jamal Lyles for 13 yds to the Nwest 10 for a 1ST down
2:221st & goal at opp 10Tyler O’Connor pass incomplete to Monty Madaris
2:222nd & goal at opp 10Tyler O’Connor sacked by Ifeadi Odenigbo for a loss of 15 yards to the Nwest 25
1:143rd & 0 at opp 25Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 01:14
1:143rd & goal at opp 25Tyler O’Connor pass complete to Monty Madaris for 7 yds to the Nwest 18
0:564th & 0 at opp 18Michael Geiger 35 yd FG GOODNorthwestern 54, Michigan State 40
0:561st & 0 at own 35Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 00:56
Northwestern End of game, 2 plays
0:561st & 0 at own 35Kevin Cronin kickoff for 7 yds
0:561st & 10 at opp 37TEAM run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 38
0:562nd & 11 at opp 38TEAM run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 39

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 six 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

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