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Michigan State at Northwestern

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Northwestern beat No. 16 Michigan State 39–⁠31 in triple overtime. It was their 56th meeting; after it, Michigan State led the series 38–⁠18 as played.

Away16Michigan State10–⁠3 in 2017
31
HomeNorthwestern10–⁠3 in 2017
39

Final, 3 overtimes at Ryan Field, EvanstonTV: ESPNAttendance 39,369

At kickoff
41°F, overcast, wind 13 mph from the westWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Palwaukee Municipal Airport (KPWK), 19 km from the stadium
Officials
Referee Mark Kluczynski; umpire Brad Hudak; head linesman Michael Dolce; line judge Brian Matthew; side judge Matt Kukar; field judge D. Pender; back judge Jeff Latkiewicz; center judge Greg BlumGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4OT1OT2OT3Final
Michigan State730777031
Northwestern0100777839

Standouts

Photos from the game

From the game’s category on Wikimedia Commons, free licenses only, each credited.

Player stats

Michigan State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Brian Lewerke39/5744541
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Brian Lewerke930019
Darrell Stewart Jr.227019
L.J. Scott81605
Gerald Holmes51304
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Cody White9165260
Darrell Stewart Jr.1198023
Felton Davis III895230
Matt Sokol330016
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Joe Bachie8100
Andrew Dowell7000
David Dowell7000
Khari Willis6110
Demetrius Cooper6000

Northwestern

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Clayton Thorson33/4835620
Justin Jackson1/11210
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Justin Jackson174116
Jeremy Larkin314011
Clayton Thorson71118
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Flynn Nagel887122
Cameron Green676125
Justin Jackson751015
Riley Lees448025
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Paddy Fisher170.500
Montre Hartage8000
Godwin Igwebuike5000
Brett Walsh5000
Nate Hall4001
Joe Gaziano2110

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

Team stats

Michigan StateNorthwestern
540Total yards432
445Passing yards368
95Rushing yards64
7.8Yards per pass7.4
3.2Yards per rush2.3
28First downs28
8–⁠17Third downs7–⁠15
2–⁠2Fourth downs1–⁠1
2Turnovers1
9–⁠84Penalties1–⁠9
34:59Possession25:01
1Sacks (by defense)1

Efficiency

Michigan StateNorthwestern
48%Success rate49%
0.19EPA per play0.24
1.05Explosiveness1.11
−0.22Rushing EPA−0.14
0.41Passing EPA0.47
46%Passing-down success32%
0.15First-down EPA0.09
−0.13Second-down EPA0.18
0.63Third-down EPA0.57
14%Havoc by its defense16%

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)

Northwestern 54% to win. Northwestern pulled the upset. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Michigan State −2, over/under 41.5.

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 55%, Northwestern 45%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Northwestern end zoneMichigan State end zoneQ1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 7 playsQ1 NorthwesternFumble, 8 playsQ1 Michigan StateFumble, 9 playsQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 7 playsQ1 Michigan StatePunt, 6 playsQ2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ2 Michigan StateField goal, 6 playsQ2 NorthwesternTouchdown, 13 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 5 playsQ2 NorthwesternField goal, 11 playsQ2 Michigan StateEnd of half, 1 playQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 8 playsQ3 Michigan StateMissed FG, 15 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 5 playsQ3 NorthwesternFumble, 5 playsQ4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 5 playsQ4 Michigan StateMissed FG, 12 playsQ4 NorthwesternPunt, 6 playsQ4 Michigan StateTouchdown, 12 playsQ4 NorthwesternResult not recorded, 2 playsQ5 NorthwesternTouchdown, 2 playsQ5 Michigan StateTouchdown, 5 playsQ6 Michigan StateTouchdown, 2 playsQ6 NorthwesternTouchdown, 4 playsQ7 NorthwesternTouchdown, 3 playsQ7 Michigan StateResult not recorded, 2 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Northwestern drives left to right, Michigan State right to left.
  1. Q1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 7 plays, 84 yards
  2. Q1 NorthwesternFumble, 8 plays, 33 yards
  3. Q1 Michigan StateFumble, 9 plays, 59 yards
  4. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 7 plays, 41 yards
  5. Q1 Michigan StatePunt, 6 plays, 32 yards
  6. Q2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  7. Q2 Michigan StateField goal, 6 plays, 20 yards
  8. Q2 NorthwesternTouchdown, 13 plays, 81 yards
  9. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 5 plays, 10 yards
  10. Q2 NorthwesternField goal, 11 plays, 56 yards
  11. Q2 Michigan StateEnd of half, 1 play, −2 yards
  12. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 8 plays, 41 yards
  13. Q3 Michigan StateMissed FG, 15 plays, 60 yards
  14. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 9 yards
  15. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 5 plays, 20 yards
  16. Q3 NorthwesternFumble, 5 plays, 25 yards
  17. Q4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  18. Q4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 5 plays, 58 yards
  19. Q4 Michigan StateMissed FG, 12 plays, 61 yards
  20. Q4 NorthwesternPunt, 6 plays, 30 yards
  21. Q4 Michigan StateTouchdown, 12 plays, 88 yards
  22. Q4 NorthwesternResult not recorded, 2 plays, −2 yards
  23. Q5 NorthwesternTouchdown, 2 plays, 25 yards
  24. Q5 Michigan StateTouchdown, 5 plays, 25 yards
  25. Q6 Michigan StateTouchdown, 2 plays, 25 yards
  26. Q6 NorthwesternTouchdown, 4 plays, 25 yards
  27. Q7 NorthwesternTouchdown, 3 plays, 25 yards
  28. Q7 Michigan StateResult not recorded, 2 plays, −72 yards

Play by play

1st quarter5 drives, then Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0
Michigan State Touchdown, 7 plays
15:001st & 10 at opp 16Luke Otto kickoff for 65 yds , Connor Heyward return for 16 yds to the Michigan St. 16 MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Offensive Holding (Shane Jones) to the MchSt 8
14:521st & 10 at own 8Brian Lewerke pass complete to Matt Sokol for 16 yds to the MchSt 24 for a 1ST down
14:261st & 10 at own 24Gerald Holmes run for 4 yds to the MchSt 28
13:492nd & 6 at own 28Brian Lewerke pass complete to Felton Davis III for 6 yds to the MchSt 34 for a 1ST down
13:141st & 10 at own 34Brian Lewerke pass complete to Cody White for 60 yds to the Nwest 6 for a 1ST down
12:441st & goal at opp 6Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Matt Sokol
12:392nd & goal at opp 6Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Felton Davis III
12:253rd & goal at opp 6Cody White 6 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick)Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Fumble, 8 plays
12:253rd & 10 at own 35Brett Scanlon kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
12:251st & 10 at own 25Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 11 yds to the Nwest 36 for a 1ST down
12:061st & 10 at own 36Clayton Thorson pass complete to Cameron Green for 5 yds to the Nwest 41
11:442nd & 5 at own 41Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 43
11:193rd & 3 at own 43Clayton Thorson pass complete to Cameron Green for 4 yds to the Nwest 47 for a 1ST down
10:561st & 10 at own 47Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 9 yds to the MchSt 44
10:292nd & 1 at opp 44Jeremy Larkin run for no gain to the MchSt 44
9:593rd & 1 at opp 44Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the MchSt 42 for a 1ST down
9:181st & 10 at opp 42Clayton Thorson pass complete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for 14 yds Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman fumbled, forced by Andrew Dowell, recovered by MchSt David Dowell
Michigan State Fumble, 9 plays
9:181st & 10 at own 28LJ Scott run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 27
8:402nd & 11 at own 27Brian Lewerke pass complete to Connor Heyward for 5 yds to the MchSt 32
8:023rd & 6 at own 32Brian Lewerke run for 19 yds to the Nwest 49 for a 1ST down
7:311st & 10 at opp 49Darrell Stewart Jr. run for 19 yds to the Nwest 30 for a 1ST down
7:071st & 10 at opp 30LJ Scott run for 4 yds to the Nwest 26
6:322nd & 6 at opp 26LJ Scott run for 4 yds to the Nwest 22
5:563rd & 2 at opp 22Brian Lewerke run for 4 yds to the Nwest 18 for a 1ST down
5:141st & 10 at opp 18LJ Scott run for 5 yds to the Nwest 13 LJ Scott fumbled, forced by Paddy Fisher, recovered by MchSt Brian Allen
4:282nd & 5 at opp 13Brian Lewerke pass complete to Cody White for 6 yds Cody White fumbled, forced by Paddy Fisher, recovered by Nwest Brett Walsh
Northwestern Punt, 7 plays
4:281st & 10 at own 7Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Nwest 8
3:542nd & 9 at own 14Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 6 yds to the Nwest 14 for a 1ST down MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Illegal Use of Hands (Demetrius Cooper) to the Nwest 29 for a 1ST down
3:341st & 10 at own 29Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 8 yds to the Nwest 37
3:292nd & 2 at own 37Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 40 for a 1ST down
3:061st & 10 at own 40Clayton Thorson pass complete to Macan Wilson for 9 yds to the Nwest 49
2:442nd & 1 at own 49Clayton Thorson run for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 48
2:133rd & 2 at own 48Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Flynn Nagel
2:034th & 2 at own 48Hunter Niswander punt for 32 yds, fair catch by Cody White at the MchSt 20
Michigan State Punt, 6 plays
2:031st & 10 at own 20Brian Lewerke pass complete to Cody White for 11 yds to the MchSt 31 for a 1ST down
1:311st & 10 at own 31Connor Heyward run for no gain to the MchSt 31
0:582nd & 10 at own 31Brian Lewerke pass complete to Felton Davis III for 30 yds to the Nwest 39 for a 1ST down
0:311st & 10 at opp 39Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to LJ Scott
0:002nd & 10 at opp 39Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 1 yd to the Nwest 38
Q2 15:003rd & 9 at opp 38Brian Lewerke sacked by Joe Gaziano for a loss of 10 yards to the Nwest 48
Q2 14:134th & 19 at opp 48Jake Hartbarger punt for 47 yds, downed at the Nwest 1
2nd quarter6 drives, then Tied at 10
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
14:131st & 10 at own 1Clayton Thorson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 3
13:422nd & 8 at own 3Justin Jackson run for no gain to the Nwest 3
13:113rd & 8 at own 3Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Flynn Nagel
12:534th & 8 at own 3Hunter Niswander punt for 42 yds , Cody White returns for a loss of 3 yards to the Nwest 48
Michigan State Field goal, 6 plays
12:531st & 10 at opp 48Connor Heyward run for 3 yds to the Nwest 45
12:142nd & 7 at opp 45Brian Lewerke run for 8 yds to the Nwest 37 for a 1ST down
11:361st & 10 at opp 37Madre London run for 3 yds to the Nwest 34
10:592nd & 7 at opp 34Madre London run for 5 yds to the Nwest 29
10:113rd & 2 at opp 29Brian Lewerke run for 1 yd to the Nwest 28
9:314th & 1 at opp 28Matt Coghlin 46 Yd Field GoalMichigan State 10, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Touchdown, 13 plays
9:314th & 1 at own 35Brett Scanlon kickoff for 62 yds , Riley Lees return for 16 yds to the Nwest 19
9:261st & 10 at own 19MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the Nwest 24
8:581st & 5 at own 24Clayton Thorson pass complete to Riley Lees for 2 yds to the Nwest 26
8:262nd & 3 at own 26Clayton Thorson pass complete to Riley Lees for 25 yds to the MchSt 49 for a 1ST down
8:111st & 10 at opp 49Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Justin Jackson
8:042nd & 10 at opp 49Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Macan Wilson
7:563rd & 10 at opp 49Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 10 yds to the MchSt 39 for a 1ST down
7:161st & 10 at opp 39Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 5 yds to the MchSt 34
6:532nd & 5 at opp 34Clayton Thorson pass complete to Riley Lees for 10 yds to the MchSt 24 for a 1ST down
6:321st & 10 at opp 24Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Kyric McGowan
6:242nd & 10 at opp 24Clayton Thorson pass complete to Garrett Dickerson for 21 yds to the MchSt 3 for a 1ST down
5:421st & goal at opp 3Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the MchSt 2
5:132nd & goal at opp 2Justin Jackson run for a loss of 3 yards to the MchSt 5
4:343rd & goal at opp 5Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 4 yds to the MchSt 1
4:034th & 0 at opp 1Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 04:03
3:584th & goal at opp 1Clayton Thorson 1 Yd Run (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)Michigan State 10, Northwestern 7
Michigan State Punt, 5 plays
3:584th & 8 at own 35Luke Otto kickoff for 59 yds , Connor Heyward return for 20 yds to the MchSt 26
3:521st & 10 at own 26Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 8 yds to the MchSt 34
3:172nd & 2 at own 34LJ Scott run for 2 yds to the MchSt 36 for a 1ST down
2:371st & 10 at own 36LJ Scott run for no gain to the MchSt 36
2:092nd & 10 at own 36Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 02:09
2:042nd & 10 at own 36Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Cody White
1:593rd & 10 at own 36Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Darrell Stewart Jr.
1:494th & 10 at own 36Jake Hartbarger punt for 38 yds, downed at the Nwest 26
Northwestern Field goal, 11 plays
1:441st & 10 at own 26Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Justin Jackson
1:362nd & 10 at own 26Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 15 yds to the Nwest 41 for a 1ST down
1:311st & 10 at own 41Clayton Thorson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 44
1:082nd & 7 at own 44Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 5 yds to the Nwest 49
0:483rd & 2 at own 49Clayton Thorson pass complete to Bennett Skowronek for 5 yds to the MchSt 46 for a 1ST down
0:411st & 10 at opp 46Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 00:41
0:411st & 10 at opp 46Clayton Thorson pass complete to Garrett Dickerson for 11 yds to the MchSt 35 for a 1ST down
0:281st & 10 at opp 35Clayton Thorson pass complete to Bennett Skowronek for 17 yds to the MchSt 18 for a 1ST down
0:181st & 10 at opp 18TEAM pass incomplete
0:142nd & 10 at opp 18Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Garrett Dickerson
0:143rd & 10 at opp 18Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 00:14
0:083rd & 10 at opp 18Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Bennett Skowronek
0:044th & 10 at opp 18Charlie Kuhbander 35 Yd Field GoalTied at 10
Michigan State End of half, 1 play
0:044th & 10 at own 35Luke Otto kickoff for 42 yds
0:001st & 10 at own 23TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 21
3rd quarter5 drives, then Tied at 10
Northwestern Punt, 8 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Brett Scanlon kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 18 yds to the Nwest 43 for a 1ST down
14:371st & 10 at own 43Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Macan Wilson
14:262nd & 10 at own 43Justin Jackson run for 6 yds to the Nwest 49
13:473rd & 4 at own 49Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 7 yds to the MchSt 44 for a 1ST down
13:411st & 10 at opp 44Clayton Thorson pass complete to Cameron Green for 10 yds to the MchSt 34 for a 1ST down
13:171st & 10 at opp 34Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Bennett Skowronek
13:102nd & 10 at opp 34Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Charlie Fessler
13:063rd & 10 at opp 34Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Bennett Skowronek
12:574th & 10 at opp 34Hunter Niswander punt for 27 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the MchSt 7
Michigan State Missed FG, 15 plays
12:571st & 10 at own 7Gerald Holmes run for 3 yds to the MchSt 10
12:182nd & 7 at own 10Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Darrell Stewart Jr.
11:583rd & 7 at own 10Brian Lewerke pass complete to Gerald Holmes for 13 yds to the MchSt 23 for a 1ST down
11:271st & 10 at own 23Gerald Holmes run for 3 yds to the MchSt 26
10:542nd & 7 at own 26Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Felton Davis III
10:483rd & 7 at own 26Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 23 yds to the MchSt 49 for a 1ST down
10:111st & 10 at own 49Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 11 yds to the Nwest 40 for a 1ST down
9:421st & 10 at opp 40Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Felton Davis III
9:292nd & 10 at opp 40Gerald Holmes run for 1 yd to the Nwest 39
8:523rd & 9 at opp 39Brian Lewerke pass complete to Cody White for 6 yds to the Nwest 33
8:174th & 3 at opp 33Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 6 yds to the Nwest 27 for a 1ST down
7:461st & 10 at opp 27Gerald Holmes run for 2 yds to the Nwest 25
6:592nd & 8 at opp 25Brian Lewerke pass complete to Gerald Holmes for a loss of 2 yards to the Nwest 27
6:243rd & 10 at opp 27Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Matt Sokol
6:214th & 10 at opp 27MICHIGAN ST Penalty, False Start (Luke Campbell) to the Nwest 33
6:164th & 16 at opp 33Matt Coghlin 51 yd FG MISSED
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
6:161st & 10 at own 33Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 35
5:312nd & 8 at own 35Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 3 yds to the Nwest 38
4:593rd & 5 at own 38Clayton Thorson pass complete to Garrett Dickerson for 4 yds to the Nwest 42
4:344th & 1 at own 42Hunter Niswander punt for 38 yds, fair catch by Cody White at the MchSt 20
Michigan State Punt, 5 plays
4:341st & 10 at own 20LJ Scott run for 2 yds to the MchSt 22
3:492nd & 8 at own 22Brian Lewerke pass complete to LJ Scott for 9 yds to the MchSt 31 for a 1ST down
3:341st & 10 at own 31Darrell Stewart Jr. run for 8 yds to the MchSt 39
2:562nd & 2 at own 39LJ Scott run for no gain to the MchSt 39
2:173rd & 2 at own 39Brian Lewerke run for 1 yd to the MchSt 40
1:414th & 1 at own 40Jake Hartbarger punt for 41 yds, fair catch by Riley Lees at the Nwest 19
Northwestern Fumble, 5 plays
1:411st & 10 at own 19Thorson, Clayton pass complete to Skowronek, Bennett for 15 yards to the NORTHWSTRN34, PENALTY NORTHWSTRN pass interference (Skowronek, Bennett) 9 yards to the NORTHWSTRN10, NO PLAY.
1:161st & 19 at own 21Jeremy Larkin run for 11 yds to the Nwest 21 for a 1ST down MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Holding (Raequan Williams) to the Nwest 31 for a 1ST down
1:011st & 10 at own 31Clayton Thorson pass complete to Riley Lees for 11 yds to the Nwest 42 for a 1ST down
0:511st & 10 at own 42Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Riley Lees
0:002nd & 10 at own 42Jeremy Larkin run for 3 yds to the Nwest 45
Q4 15:003rd & 7 at own 45Clayton Thorson sacked by Khari Willis for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 44
Q4 14:174th & 8 at own 44Hunter Niswander punt for 45 yds , Cody White returns for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 9 Cody White fumbled, recovered by MchSt Tyson Smith
4th quarter6 drives, then Tied at 17
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
14:171st & 10 at own 9Brian Lewerke pass complete to Felton Davis III for 7 yds to the MchSt 16
13:432nd & 3 at own 16Madre London run for no gain to the MchSt 16
12:523rd & 3 at own 16Brian Lewerke run for 1 yd to the MchSt 17
12:164th & 2 at own 17Jake Hartbarger punt for 41 yds, fair catch by Riley Lees at the Nwest 42
Northwestern Touchdown, 5 plays
12:161st & 10 at own 42Clayton Thorson pass complete to Cameron Green for 25 yds to the MchSt 33 for a 1ST down
11:541st & 10 at opp 33Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Macan Wilson
11:392nd & 10 at opp 33Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the MchSt 30
10:593rd & 7 at opp 22Clayton Thorson run for 8 yds to the MchSt 22 for a 1ST down MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Holding (Justin Layne) to the MchSt 12 for a 1ST down
10:491st & 10 at opp 12Bennett Skowronek 12 Yd pass from Justin Jackson (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)Northwestern 17, Michigan State 10
Michigan State Missed FG, 12 plays
10:491st & 10 at own 35Luke Otto kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:491st & 10 at own 25Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Felton Davis III
10:332nd & 10 at own 25Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 7 yds to the MchSt 32
10:013rd & 3 at own 32MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Offensive Pass Interference (Cody White) to the MchSt 17
9:363rd & 18 at own 17Brian Lewerke pass complete to Cody White for 45 yds to the Nwest 38 for a 1ST down
8:531st & 10 at opp 38Brian Lewerke pass incomplete
8:492nd & 10 at opp 38Brian Lewerke pass complete to Cody White for 14 yds to the Nwest 24 for a 1ST down
8:191st & 10 at opp 24Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Cam Chambers
8:122nd & 10 at opp 24Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Cody White
8:063rd & 10 at opp 24Brian Lewerke pass complete to Felton Davis III for 12 yds to the Nwest 12 for a 1ST down
7:261st & 10 at opp 12Brian Lewerke pass complete to LJ Scott for 2 yds to the Nwest 10
6:592nd & 8 at opp 10Lewerke, Brian pass incomplete, PENALTY MICHIGANST holding (Chewins, Cole) 10 yards to the NORTHWSTRN20, NO PLAY.
6:462nd & 18 at opp 20Brian Lewerke pass complete to Cody White for 6 yds to the Nwest 14
6:133rd & 12 at opp 14Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Darrell Stewart Jr.
6:044th & 12 at opp 14Matt Coghlin 32 yd FG MISSED
Northwestern Punt, 6 plays
6:041st & 10 at own 20Clayton Thorson pass complete to Macan Wilson for 13 yds to the Nwest 33 for a 1ST down
5:221st & 10 at own 33Justin Jackson run for 5 yds to the Nwest 38
4:402nd & 5 at own 38Justin Jackson run for 6 yds to the Nwest 44 for a 1ST down
4:071st & 10 at own 44Justin Jackson run for 5 yds to the Nwest 49
3:312nd & 5 at own 49Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the MchSt 49
3:273rd & 3 at opp 49Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 03:27
3:273rd & 3 at opp 49Clayton Thorson run for a loss of 1 yard to the 50 yard line
3:214th & 4 at the 50Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 03:21
3:144th & 4 at the 50Hunter Niswander punt for 38 yds, fair catch by Cody White at the MchSt 12
Michigan State Touchdown, 12 plays
3:141st & 10 at own 12Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 10 yds to the MchSt 22 for a 1ST down
2:531st & 10 at own 22Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 8 yds to the MchSt 30
2:322nd & 2 at own 30Brian Lewerke pass complete to Matt Sokol for 3 yds to the MchSt 33 for a 1ST down
2:141st & 10 at own 33Brian Lewerke pass complete to Felton Davis III for 14 yds to the MchSt 47 for a 1ST down
1:591st & 10 at own 47Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 8 yds to the Nwest 45
1:562nd & 2 at opp 45Brian Lewerke pass complete to Hunter Rison for 9 yds to the Nwest 36 for a 1ST down
1:491st & 10 at opp 36Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Cody White
1:422nd & 10 at opp 36Brian Lewerke pass complete to Hunter Rison for 7 yds to the Nwest 29
1:263rd & 3 at opp 29MICHIGAN ST Penalty, False Start (Matt Dotson) to the Nwest 34
1:103rd & 8 at opp 34Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 4 yds to the Nwest 30
0:534th & 4 at opp 30Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 00:53
0:474th & 4 at opp 30Brian Lewerke run for 5 yds to the Nwest 25 for a 1ST down
0:351st & 10 at opp 25Brian Lewerke pass complete to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 12 yds to the Nwest 13 for a 1ST down
0:251st & 10 at opp 13Felton Davis III 13 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick)Tied at 17
Northwestern Result not recorded, 2 plays
0:251st & 10 at own 35Brett Scanlon kickoff for 64 yds , Riley Lees return for 15 yds to the Nwest 16
0:001st & 10 at own 16TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the Nwest 14
Overtime2 drives, then Tied at 24
Northwestern Touchdown, 2 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 11 yds to the MchSt 14 for a 1ST down
1st & 10 at opp 14Cameron Green 14 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)Northwestern 24, Michigan State 17
Michigan State Touchdown, 5 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Cody White
2nd & 10 at opp 25Brian Lewerke pass complete to Felton Davis III for 7 yds to the Nwest 18
3rd & 3 at opp 18Brian Lewerke pass complete to Matt Sokol for 11 yds to the Nwest 7 for a 1ST down
1st & goal at opp 7Brian Lewerke run for 1 yd to the Nwest 6
2nd & goal at opp 6Felton Davis III 6 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick)Tied at 24
2nd overtime2 drives, then Tied at 31
Michigan State Touchdown, 2 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Brian Lewerke pass complete to Gerald Holmes for 14 yds to the Nwest 11 for a 1ST down
1st & 10 at opp 11Cody White 11 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick)Michigan State 31, Northwestern 24
Northwestern Touchdown, 4 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 4 yds to the MchSt 21
2nd & 6 at opp 21Clayton Thorson pass complete to Cameron Green for 18 yds to the MchSt 3 for a 1ST down
1st & goal at opp 3Justin Jackson run for no gain to the MchSt 3
2nd & goal at opp 3Justin Jackson 3 Yd Run (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)Tied at 31
3rd overtime2 drives, then Northwestern 39, Michigan State 31
Northwestern Touchdown, 3 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Cameron Green
2nd & 10 at opp 25Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the MchSt 22
3rd & 7 at opp 22Flynn Nagel 22 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Clayton Thorson Pass to Cameron Green for Two-Point Conversion)Northwestern 39, Michigan State 31
Michigan State Result not recorded, 2 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Brian Lewerke pass incomplete to Cody White
2nd & 10 at opp 25Brian Lewerke pass intercepted, touchback. Nate Hall return for no gain

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 Michigan State–Northwestern game

Officially, Michigan State leads 40–⁠21; as played, 41–⁠20 in 61 meetings, counting the five 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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