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Northwestern at Michigan State

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Michigan State beat No. 11 Northwestern 29–⁠20. It was their 59th meeting; after it, Michigan State led the series 40–⁠19 as played.

Away11Northwestern7–⁠2 in 2020
20
HomeMichigan State2–⁠5 in 2020
29

Final at Spartan Stadium, East LansingTV: ESPN, ESPN2

At kickoff
46°F, clear, wind 15 mph from the southwestWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Capital City Airport (KLAN), 11 km from the stadium, 23 minutes after kickoff
Officials
Referee Mark Kluczynski; umpire Mike Pilarski; head linesman John Wiercinski; line judge Brett Bergman; side judge Joel Clay; field judge Lamont Simpson; back judge Michael Elliott; center judge Amanda SauerGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northwestern067720
Michigan State10701229

Standouts

  • PassingRocky Lombardi11 of 27, 167 yards, 2 TD, 1 INTMichigan State
  • RushingConnor Heyward24 carries, 96 yardsMichigan State
  • ReceivingJalen Nailor3 catches, 99 yards, 1 TDMichigan State
  • DefenseAntjuan Simmons13 tackles, 1 sack, 2 for lossMichigan State

Player stats

Northwestern

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Peyton Ramsey20/4221902
Riley Lees1/11200
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Drake Anderson104108
Isaiah Bowser92807
Riley Lees1303
Cam Porter1313
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman763016
Riley Lees459027
Kyric McGowan448020
Berkeley Holman227024
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Paddy Fisher120.501
Blake Gallagher11300
Chris Bergin11000
Brandon Joseph10000

Michigan State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Rocky Lombardi11/2716721
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Connor Heyward2496012
Rocky Lombardi1065021
Elijah Collins1334013
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Jalen Nailor399175
Jayden Reed236121
Tyler Hunt115015
Connor Heyward4905
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Antjuan Simmons13210
Noah Harvey8000
Chase Kline8000
Naquan Jones62.500
Drew Beesley52.520
Shakur Brown2002
Dashaun Mallory1110

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

Team stats

NorthwesternMichigan State
294Total yards362
231Passing yards167
63Rushing yards195
5.4Yards per pass6.2
1.7Yards per rush4.1
18First downs17
5–⁠17Third downs10–⁠21
2–⁠4Fourth downs0–⁠0
3Turnovers1
3–⁠20Penalties5–⁠50
27:22Possession32:33
0Sacks (by defense)4

Efficiency

NorthwesternMichigan State
37%Success rate31%
−0.20EPA per play0.04
1.09Explosiveness1.55
−0.27Rushing EPA0.07
−0.14Passing EPA−0.01
24%Passing-down success26%
−0.23First-down EPA−0.27
−0.10Second-down EPA0.00
0.00Third-down EPA0.50
18%Havoc by its defense22%

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 59% to win. Michigan State pulled the upset.

The line

Northwestern −13.5, over/under 40.5.

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 Northwestern 82%, Michigan State 18%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Michigan State end zoneNorthwestern end zoneQ1 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 2 playsQ1 NorthwesternInterception, 6 playsQ1 Michigan StateField goal, 4 playsQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 13 playsQ2 NorthwesternField goal, 13 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 6 playsQ2 NorthwesternField goal, 9 playsQ2 Michigan StateMissed FG, 14 playsQ2 NorthwesternEnd of half, 7 playsQ3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 10 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 7 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 7 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 8 playsQ4 Michigan StateInterception, 3 playsQ4 NorthwesternFumble, 1 playQ4 Michigan StateField goal, 7 playsQ4 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ4 NorthwesternInterception, 3 playsQ4 Michigan StateField goal, 7 playsQ4 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ4 Michigan StatePunt, 6 playsQ4 NorthwesternResult not recorded, 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. Our source’s drive data for this game doesn’t add up to the final score, so a score may be missing here; the scoring by quarter above is complete.
  1. Q1 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  2. Q1 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 42 yards
  3. Q1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 2 plays, 81 yards
  4. Q1 NorthwesternInterception, 6 plays, 23 yards
  5. Q1 Michigan StateField goal, 4 plays, 6 yards
  6. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  7. Q1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 13 plays, 85 yards
  8. Q2 NorthwesternField goal, 13 plays, 51 yards
  9. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 6 plays, 20 yards
  10. Q2 NorthwesternField goal, 9 plays, 42 yards
  11. Q2 Michigan StateMissed FG, 14 plays, 55 yards
  12. Q2 NorthwesternEnd of half, 7 plays, 17 yards
  13. Q3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 10 plays, 75 yards
  14. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 7 plays, 36 yards
  15. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 7 plays, 28 yards
  16. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  17. Q3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 8 plays, 37 yards
  18. Q4 Michigan StateInterception, 3 plays, 8 yards
  19. Q4 NorthwesternFumble, 1 play, 0 yards
  20. Q4 Michigan StateField goal, 7 plays, 27 yards
  21. Q4 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  22. Q4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  23. Q4 NorthwesternInterception, 3 plays, 4 yards
  24. Q4 Michigan StateField goal, 7 plays, 19 yards
  25. Q4 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
  26. Q4 Michigan StatePunt, 6 plays, 14 yards
  27. Q4 NorthwesternResult not recorded, 2 plays, 10 yards

Play by play

1st quarter7 drives, then Michigan State 10, Northwestern 0
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander kickoff for 65 yds , Jalen Nailor return for 21 yds to the MchSt 21
14:511st & 10 at own 21Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete
14:452nd & 10 at own 21Connor Heyward run for 2 yds to the MchSt 23
14:203rd & 8 at own 23Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
14:104th & 8 at own 23Bryce Baringer punt for 37 yds, downed at the Nwest 40
Northwestern Turnover on downs, 7 plays
14:031st & 10 at own 40Drake Anderson run for 8 yds to the Nwest 48
13:352nd & 2 at own 48Peyton Ramsey run for 5 yds to the MchSt 47 for a 1ST down
13:151st & 10 at opp 47Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Kyric McGowan for 20 yds to the MchSt 27 for a 1ST down
12:581st & 10 at opp 27Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for 9 yds to the MchSt 18
12:242nd & 1 at opp 18Drake Anderson run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 19
11:563rd & 2 at opp 19Andrew Marty run for 1 yd to the MchSt 18
11:154th & 1 at opp 18Isaiah Bowser run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 19
Michigan State Touchdown, 2 plays
11:091st & 10 at own 19Connor Heyward run for 6 yds to the MchSt 25
10:342nd & 4 at own 25Jalen Nailor 75 Yd pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin Kick)Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Interception, 6 plays
10:342nd & 4 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 65 yds , Coco Azema return for 35 yds to the Nwest 35
10:211st & 10 at own 35Isaiah Bowser run for 5 yds to the Nwest 40
9:582nd & 5 at own 40Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for 12 yds to the MchSt 48 for a 1ST down
9:351st & 10 at opp 48Peyton Ramsey run for 6 yds to the MchSt 42
9:102nd & 4 at opp 42Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Kyric McGowan
9:063rd & 4 at opp 42Peyton Ramsey run for no gain to the MchSt 42
8:244th & 4 at opp 42Peyton Ramsey pass intercepted Shakur Brown return for 54 yds to the Nwest 11
Michigan State Field goal, 4 plays
8:191st & 10 at opp 11Elijah Collins run for 3 yds to the Nwest 8
7:452nd & 7 at opp 8Elijah Collins run for 3 yds to the Nwest 5
7:093rd & 4 at opp 5Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
7:064th & 4 at opp 5Matt Coghlin 22 Yd Field GoalMichigan State 10, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
7:064th & 4 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 62 yds , Kyric McGowan return for 25 yds to the Nwest 28
6:551st & 10 at own 28Drake Anderson run for 5 yds to the Nwest 33
6:392nd & 5 at own 33Drake Anderson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 36
6:223rd & 2 at own 36Drake Anderson run for no gain to the Nwest 36
5:394th & 2 at own 36Derek Adams punt for 49 yds, fair catch by Jayden Reed at the MchSt 15
Michigan State Touchdown, 13 plays
5:351st & 10 at own 15Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Tre Mosley
5:292nd & 10 at own 15Connor Heyward run for 6 yds to the MchSt 21
4:543rd & 4 at own 21Rocky Lombardi run for 9 yds to the MchSt 30 for a 1ST down
4:141st & 10 at own 30Heyward, Connor rush for 3 yards to the MICHIGANST33, PENALTY MICHIGANST holding 10 yards to the MICHIGANST20, NO PLAY.
4:001st & 20 at own 20Connor Heyward run for 8 yds to the MchSt 28
3:252nd & 12 at own 28Connor Heyward run for 10 yds to the MchSt 38
2:493rd & 2 at own 38Elijah Collins run for 4 yds to the MchSt 42 for a 1ST down
2:211st & 10 at own 42Elijah Collins run for 13 yds to the Nwest 45 for a 1ST down
1:591st & 10 at opp 45Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Tre Mosley
1:562nd & 10 at opp 45Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Montorie Foster
1:513rd & 10 at opp 45Lombardi, Rocky pass incomplete to Foster, Montorie, PENALTY NORTHWSTRN pass interference 15 yards to the NORTHWSTRN30, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN MICHIGANST.
1:451st & 10 at opp 30Rocky Lombardi run for 10 yds to the Nwest 20 for a 1ST down
1:131st & 10 at opp 20Connor Heyward run for 4 yds to the Nwest 16
0:352nd & 6 at opp 16Elijah Collins run for 1 yd to the Nwest 15
Q2 14:553rd & 5 at opp 15Jayden Reed 15 Yd pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin Kick)Michigan State 17, Northwestern 0
2nd quarter5 drives, then Michigan State 17, Northwestern 6
Northwestern Field goal, 13 plays
14:553rd & 5 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:501st & 10 at own 25Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for 5 yds to the Nwest 30
14:262nd & 5 at own 30Isaiah Bowser run for 7 yds to the Nwest 37 for a 1ST down
14:141st & 10 at own 37NORTHWESTERN Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Nwest 32
13:551st & 15 at own 32Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for no gain to the Nwest 32
13:262nd & 15 at own 32Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman
13:203rd & 15 at own 32Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Berkeley Holman for 24 yds to the MchSt 44 for a 1ST down
13:081st & 10 at opp 44Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Isaiah Bowser
13:042nd & 10 at opp 44Riley Lees run for 3 yds to the MchSt 41
12:383rd & 7 at opp 41Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Riley Lees
12:384th & 7 at opp 41MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the MchSt 36
12:324th & 2 at opp 36Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Kyric McGowan for 5 yds to the MchSt 31 for a 1ST down
12:131st & 10 at opp 31Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Berkeley Holman for 3 yds to the MchSt 28
11:432nd & 7 at opp 28Isaiah Bowser run for 4 yds to the MchSt 24
11:073rd & 3 at opp 24Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete
11:024th & 3 at opp 24Charlie Kuhbander 42 Yd Field GoalMichigan State 17, Northwestern 3
Michigan State Punt, 6 plays
11:024th & 3 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:581st & 10 at own 25Elijah Collins run for 2 yds to the MchSt 27
10:272nd & 8 at own 27Elijah Collins run for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 25
9:463rd & 10 at own 25Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Tyler Hunt for 15 yds to the MchSt 40 for a 1ST down
9:371st & 10 at own 40Elijah Collins run for no gain to the MchSt 40
9:002nd & 10 at own 40Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Connor Heyward for 5 yds to the MchSt 45
8:263rd & 5 at own 45Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Montorie Foster
8:264th & 5 at own 45Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 08:26
8:204th & 5 at own 45Bryce Baringer punt for 11 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the Nwest 44
Northwestern Field goal, 9 plays
8:151st & 10 at own 44Drake Anderson run for 5 yds to the Nwest 49
7:532nd & 5 at own 49Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Riley Lees
7:493rd & 5 at own 49Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Kyric McGowan for 19 yds to the MchSt 32 for a 1ST down
7:341st & 10 at opp 32Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman
7:292nd & 10 at opp 32Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Kyric McGowan
7:203rd & 10 at opp 32Ramsey, Peyton pass incomplete to Lees, Riley, PENALTY MICHIGANST pass interference 15 yards to the MICHIGANST17, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN NORTHWSTRN.
7:151st & 10 at opp 17Drake Anderson run for 3 yds to the MchSt 14
6:432nd & 7 at opp 14Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Riley Lees
6:383rd & 7 at opp 14Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Kyric McGowan
6:384th & 7 at opp 14Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 06:38
6:354th & 7 at opp 14Charlie Kuhbander 32 Yd Field GoalMichigan State 17, Northwestern 6
Michigan State Missed FG, 14 plays
6:354th & 7 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander kickoff for 65 yds , Jayden Reed return for 13 yds to the MchSt 13
6:241st & 10 at own 13Connor Heyward run for 3 yds to the MchSt 16
5:472nd & 7 at own 16Connor Heyward run for 12 yds to the MchSt 28 for a 1ST down
5:161st & 10 at own 28Rocky Lombardi run for 7 yds to the MchSt 35
4:522nd & 3 at own 35Connor Heyward run for 6 yds to the MchSt 41 for a 1ST down
4:281st & 10 at own 41Rocky Lombardi run for a loss of 4 yards to the MchSt 37
3:412nd & 14 at own 37Elijah Collins run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 36
2:483rd & 15 at own 36Rocky Lombardi run for 21 yds to the Nwest 43 for a 1ST down
2:211st & 10 at opp 43Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
2:152nd & 10 at opp 43Connor Heyward run for 9 yds to the Nwest 34
1:513rd & 1 at opp 34Connor Heyward run for 2 yds to the Nwest 32 for a 1ST down
1:221st & 10 at opp 32Elijah Collins run for a loss of 3 yards to the Nwest 35
1:182nd & 13 at opp 35Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 01:18
1:122nd & 13 at opp 35Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete
1:093rd & 13 at opp 35Connor Heyward run for 3 yds to the Nwest 32
1:044th & 10 at opp 32Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 01:04
0:594th & 10 at opp 32Matt Coghlin 49 yd FG MISSED
Northwestern End of half, 7 plays
0:521st & 10 at own 32Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Kyric McGowan for 4 yds to the Nwest 36
0:372nd & 6 at own 36Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Riley Lees for 9 yds to the Nwest 45 for a 1ST down
0:311st & 10 at own 45Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for 9 yds to the MchSt 46
0:262nd & 1 at opp 46Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Riley Lees for 3 yds to the MchSt 43 for a 1ST down
0:221st & 10 at opp 43Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Evan Hull
0:162nd & 10 at opp 43Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman
0:123rd & 10 at opp 43Peyton Ramsey sacked by Drew Beesley for a loss of 8 yards to the Nwest 49
3rd quarter5 drives, then Michigan State 17, Northwestern 13
Northwestern Touchdown, 10 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 62 yds for a touchback
14:531st & 10 at own 25Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for 16 yds to the Nwest 41 for a 1ST down
14:401st & 10 at own 41Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Riley Lees for 27 yds to the MchSt 32 for a 1ST down
14:261st & 10 at opp 32Peyton Ramsey sacked by Antjuan Simmons for a loss of 4 yards to the MchSt 36
13:542nd & 14 at opp 36Isaiah Bowser run for 7 yds to the MchSt 29
13:163rd & 7 at opp 29Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for 12 yds to the MchSt 17 for a 1ST down
12:521st & 10 at opp 17Riley Lees pass complete to Andrew Marty for 12 yds to the MchSt 5 for a 1ST down
12:331st & goal at opp 5Isaiah Bowser run for 4 yds to the MchSt 1
11:562nd & goal at opp 1Isaiah Bowser run for no gain to the MchSt 1
11:253rd & goal at opp 1Peyton Ramsey run for no gain to the MchSt 1
10:394th & goal at opp 1Peyton Ramsey 1 Yd Run (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)Michigan State 17, Northwestern 13
Michigan State Punt, 7 plays
10:394th & 6 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:351st & 10 at own 25Connor Heyward run for 3 yds to the MchSt 28
9:562nd & 7 at own 28Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Connor Heyward for 4 yds to the MchSt 32
9:203rd & 3 at own 32Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Jalen Nailor for 4 yds to the MchSt 36 for a 1ST down
8:521st & 10 at own 36Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Jayden Reed for 21 yds to the Nwest 43 for a 1ST down
8:261st & 10 at opp 43Rocky Lombardi run for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 44
7:492nd & 11 at opp 44Connor Heyward run for 5 yds to the Nwest 39
7:063rd & 6 at opp 39Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
6:594th & 6 at opp 39Mitchell Crawford punt for 39 yds for a touchback
Northwestern Punt, 7 plays
6:541st & 10 at own 20Drake Anderson run for 8 yds to the Nwest 28
6:312nd & 2 at own 28Drake Anderson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 31 for a 1ST down
6:071st & 10 at own 31Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete
6:072nd & 10 at own 31MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the Nwest 36
5:512nd & 5 at own 36Drake Anderson run for 7 yds to the Nwest 43 for a 1ST down
5:211st & 10 at own 43Peyton Ramsey sacked by Dashaun Mallory for a loss of 3 yards to the Nwest 40
4:452nd & 13 at own 40Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Charlie Mangieri for 8 yds to the Nwest 48
4:113rd & 5 at own 48Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Berkeley Holman
4:044th & 5 at own 48Derek Adams punt for 46 yds, fair catch by Jayden Reed at the MchSt 6
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
4:001st & 10 at own 6Elijah Collins run for 3 yds to the MchSt 9
3:252nd & 7 at own 9Elijah Collins run for 5 yds to the MchSt 14
3:093rd & 2 at own 14Rocky Lombardi run for no gain to the MchSt 14
2:284th & 2 at own 14Mitchell Crawford punt for 38 yds, downed at the MICHIGANST 48 MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Kick Catching Interference (-15 Yards) to the MchSt 37
Northwestern Touchdown, 8 plays
2:231st & 10 at opp 37Peyton Ramsey run for 4 yds to the MchSt 33
1:582nd & 6 at opp 33Isaiah Bowser run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 34
1:233rd & 7 at opp 34Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Isaiah Bowser for 11 yds to the MchSt 23 for a 1ST down
1:041st & 10 at opp 23Peyton Ramsey run for no gain to the MchSt 23
0:362nd & 10 at opp 23Peyton Ramsey run for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 25
Q4 14:543rd & 12 at opp 25Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Riley Lees for 20 yds to the MchSt 5 for a 1ST down
Q4 14:321st & goal at opp 5Peyton Ramsey run for 2 yds to the MchSt 3
Q4 13:542nd & goal at opp 3Cam Porter 3 Yd Run (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)Northwestern 20, Michigan State 17
4th quarter9 drives, then Michigan State 29, Northwestern 20
Michigan State Interception, 3 plays
13:542nd & 8 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander kickoff for 54 yds for a touchback
13:491st & 10 at own 25Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Tre Mosley for 8 yds to the MchSt 33
13:232nd & 2 at own 33Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
13:193rd & 2 at own 33Rocky Lombardi pass intercepted Paddy Fisher return for no gain to the MchSt 40
13:151st & 10 at opp 40Kyric McGowan run for a loss of 7 yards to the MchSt 47 Kyric McGowan fumbled, recovered by MchSt Jack Camper
Michigan State Field goal, 7 plays
13:101st & 10 at own 47Connor Heyward run for 7 yds to the Nwest 46
12:372nd & 3 at opp 46Connor Heyward run for 1 yd to the Nwest 45
11:513rd & 2 at opp 45Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Jalen Nailor for 20 yds to the Nwest 25 for a 1ST down
11:171st & 10 at opp 25Connor Heyward run for 1 yd to the Nwest 24
10:432nd & 9 at opp 24Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Connor Heyward for a loss of 2 yards to the Nwest 26
10:153rd & 11 at opp 26Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Connor Heyward
10:114th & 11 at opp 26Matt Coghlin 44 Yd Field GoalTied at 20
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
10:114th & 11 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 65 yds , Kyric McGowan return for 28 yds to the Nwest 28
10:001st & 10 at own 28Peyton Ramsey pass complete to Drake Anderson for 3 yds to the Nwest 31
9:212nd & 7 at own 31Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete
9:133rd & 7 at own 31Peyton Ramsey run for 3 yds to the Nwest 34
8:224th & 4 at own 34Derek Adams punt for 49 yds , Jayden Reed returns for 4 yds to the MchSt 21
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
8:181st & 10 at own 21Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Connor Heyward for 2 yds to the MchSt 23
7:482nd & 8 at own 23Connor Heyward run for 4 yds to the MchSt 27
7:063rd & 4 at own 27Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jayden Reed
6:544th & 4 at own 27Mitchell Crawford punt for 44 yds, downed at the Nwest 29
Northwestern Interception, 3 plays
6:501st & 10 at own 30Isaiah Bowser run for 3 yds to the Nwest 33
6:312nd & 7 at own 33Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman
6:223rd & 7 at own 33Peyton Ramsey pass intercepted Shakur Brown return for no gain to the 50 yard line
Michigan State Field goal, 7 plays
6:181st & 10 at the 50Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
6:142nd & 10 at the 50Connor Heyward run for no gain to the 50 yard line
5:333rd & 10 at the 50Rocky Lombardi run for 12 yds to the Nwest 38 for a 1ST down
5:031st & 10 at opp 38Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jayden Reed
4:582nd & 10 at opp 38Elijah Collins run for 6 yds to the Nwest 32
4:173rd & 4 at opp 32Rocky Lombardi run for 1 yd to the Nwest 31
3:354th & 3 at opp 31Matt Coghlin 48 Yd Field GoalMichigan State 23, Northwestern 20
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
3:354th & 3 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 65 yds , Coco Azema return for 22 yds to the Nwest 22
3:251st & 10 at own 22Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman
3:162nd & 10 at own 22Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete
3:043rd & 10 at own 22Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Riley Lees
2:574th & 10 at own 22Derek Adams punt for 42 yds, fair catch by Jayden Reed at the MchSt 36
Michigan State Punt, 6 plays
2:521st & 10 at own 36Connor Heyward run for 2 yds to the MchSt 38
2:512nd & 8 at own 38Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 02:51
2:462nd & 8 at own 38Connor Heyward run for no gain to the MchSt 38
2:453rd & 8 at own 38Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 02:45
2:403rd & 8 at own 38Rocky Lombardi run for 10 yds to the MchSt 48 for a 1ST down
2:051st & 10 at own 48Connor Heyward run for 2 yds to the 50 yard line
2:042nd & 8 at the 50Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 02:04
2:002nd & 8 at the 50Connor Heyward run for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 49
1:153rd & 9 at own 49Connor Heyward run for 1 yd to the 50 yard line
0:334th & 8 at the 50Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 00:33
Northwestern Result not recorded, 2 plays
0:101st & 10 at own 9Peyton Ramsey sacked by TEAM for a loss of 10 yards to the Nwest 9 NORTHWESTERN Penalty, Intentional Grounding (Peyton Ramsey) to the Nwest 9
0:052nd & 20 at own 9Peyton Ramsey pass incomplete to Bryce Kirtz

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 two 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

Northwestern

Michigan State

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 13