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Michigan State at Northwestern

Friday, September 3, 2021

Michigan State beat Northwestern 38–⁠21. It was their 60th meeting; after it, Michigan State led the series 41–⁠19 as played.

AwayMichigan State11–⁠2 in 2021
38
HomeNorthwestern3–⁠9 in 2021
21

Final at Ryan Field, EvanstonTV: ESPNAttendance 34,248

At kickoff
73°F, overcast, wind 6 mph from the southeastWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Palwaukee Municipal Airport (KPWK), 19 km from the stadium, eight minutes before kickoff
Official
Michael CannonGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Michigan State14771038
Northwestern0701421

Standouts

Player stats

Michigan State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Payton Thorne15/2518510
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Kenneth Walker III23264475
Payton Thorne528018
Jayden Reed112012
Harold Joiner31208
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Jayden Reed564023
Tre Mosley459026
Connor Heyward328016
Jalen Nailor220013
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Xavier Henderson9210
Angelo Grose9000
Kalon Gervin8000
Quavaris Crouch7110
Ronald Williams Jr.5110

Northwestern

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Hunter Johnson30/4328330
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Evan Hull987049
Andrew Clair41409
Anthony Tyus III81304
Marcus Cisco31005
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Bryce Kirtz780041
Stephon Robinson579147
Malik Washington332019
Charlie Mangieri227025
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Chris Bergin100.50.50
Brandon Joseph8000
Peter McIntyre5000
A.J. Hampton5000
Sam Miller40.50.50
Jeremy Meiser1110

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

Team stats

Michigan StateNorthwestern
511Total yards400
185Passing yards283
326Rushing yards117
7.1Yards per pass6.6
8.8Yards per rush3.1
23First downs20
4–⁠10Third downs8–⁠19
1–⁠1Fourth downs4–⁠5
1Turnovers0
5–⁠50Penalties6–⁠40
24:18Possession35:42
4Sacks (by defense)2

Efficiency

Michigan StateNorthwestern
48%Success rate40%
0.38EPA per play0.14
1.47Explosiveness1.24
0.46Rushing EPA0.04
0.29Passing EPA0.22
41%Passing-down success23%
0.14First-down EPA−0.11
0.75Second-down EPA0.04
0.38Third-down EPA0.54
17%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)

Northwestern 69% to win. Michigan State won as Elo’s underdog.

The line

Northwestern −3, over/under 45.5.

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 58%, Michigan State 42%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Northwestern end zoneMichigan State end zoneQ1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 1 playQ1 NorthwesternMissed FG, 7 playsQ1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 10 playsQ1 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ1 Michigan StatePunt, 6 playsQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 4 playsQ1 Michigan StatePunt, 5 playsQ2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ2 Michigan StateTouchdown, 4 playsQ2 NorthwesternPunt, 5 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 NorthwesternTouchdown, 15 playsQ2 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ3 NorthwesternMissed FG, 7 playsQ3 Michigan StateTouchdown, 11 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 5 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 16 playsQ4 Michigan StateField goal, 10 playsQ4 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ4 Michigan StateFumble, 1 playQ4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 8 playsQ4 Michigan StateTouchdown, 4 playsQ4 NorthwesternEnd of game, 3 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, 1 play, 75 yards
  2. Q1 NorthwesternMissed FG, 7 plays, 39 yards
  3. Q1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 10 plays, 74 yards
  4. Q1 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 51 yards
  5. Q1 Michigan StatePunt, 6 plays, 36 yards
  6. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 4 plays, 20 yards
  7. Q1 Michigan StatePunt, 5 plays, 4 yards
  8. Q2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  9. Q2 Michigan StateTouchdown, 4 plays, 66 yards
  10. Q2 NorthwesternPunt, 5 plays, 18 yards
  11. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  12. Q2 NorthwesternTouchdown, 15 plays, 62 yards
  13. Q2 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 63 yards
  14. Q3 NorthwesternMissed FG, 7 plays, 49 yards
  15. Q3 Michigan StateTouchdown, 11 plays, 80 yards
  16. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 5 plays, 9 yards
  17. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  18. Q3 NorthwesternTouchdown, 16 plays, 69 yards
  19. Q4 Michigan StateField goal, 10 plays, 59 yards
  20. Q4 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, −13 yards
  21. Q4 Michigan StateFumble, 1 play, 0 yards
  22. Q4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 8 plays, 61 yards
  23. Q4 Michigan StateTouchdown, 4 plays, 52 yards
  24. Q4 NorthwesternEnd of game, 3 plays, 10 yards

Play by play

1st quarter7 drives, then Michigan State 14, Northwestern 0
Michigan State Touchdown, 1 play
15:001st & 10 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:471st & 10 at own 25Kenneth Walker III run for 75 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Missed FG, 7 plays
14:471st & 25 at own 20Matt Coghlin kickoff for 56 yds , Coco Azema return for 11 yds to the Nwest 35
14:151st & 10 at own 35Anthony Tyus III run for 1 yd to the Nwest 36
14:112nd & 9 at own 36NORTHWESTERN Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Nwest 31
13:582nd & 14 at own 31Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Bryce Kirtz
13:453rd & 14 at own 31Hunter Johnson pass complete to Bryce Kirtz for 41 yds to the MchSt 28 for a 1ST down
13:321st & 10 at opp 28Anthony Tyus III run for 2 yds to the MchSt 26
12:472nd & 8 at opp 26Anthony Tyus III run for 4 yds to the MchSt 22
12:113rd & 4 at opp 22Andrew Clair run for a loss of 4 yards to the MchSt 26
11:564th & 8 at opp 26Charlie Kuhbander 44 yd FG MISSED
Michigan State Touchdown, 10 plays
11:391st & 10 at own 26Kenneth Walker III run for 2 yds to the MchSt 28
11:122nd & 8 at own 28Payton Thorne pass complete to Connor Heyward for 16 yds to the MchSt 44 for a 1ST down
10:441st & 10 at own 44Kenneth Walker III run for no gain to the MchSt 44
10:152nd & 10 at own 44Payton Thorne pass complete to Jayden Reed for 20 yds to the Nwest 36 for a 1ST down
9:551st & 10 at opp 36Kenneth Walker III run for no gain to the Nwest 36
9:042nd & 10 at opp 36Jordon Simmons run for 3 yds to the Nwest 33
8:403rd & 7 at opp 33Payton Thorne pass complete to Connor Heyward for 7 yds to the Nwest 26 for a 1ST down
8:231st & 10 at opp 26Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Tre Mosley
8:152nd & 10 at opp 26Kenneth Walker III run for 23 yds to the Nwest 3 for a 1ST down
7:441st & goal at opp 3Kenneth Walker III run for 3 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)Michigan State 14, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Turnover on downs, 7 plays
7:441st & 10 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 60 yds , Coco Azema return for 22 yds to the Nwest 27
7:321st & 10 at own 27Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Andrew Clair
7:072nd & 10 at own 27Stephon Robinson Jr. run for 1 yd to the Nwest 28
6:403rd & 9 at own 28Hunter Johnson pass complete to Stephon Robinson Jr. for 47 yds to the MchSt 25 for a 1ST down
6:171st & 10 at opp 25Hunter Johnson pass complete to Stephon Robinson Jr. for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 27
5:302nd & 12 at opp 27Hunter Johnson pass complete to Bryce Kirtz for 5 yds to the MchSt 22
5:153rd & 7 at opp 22Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Stephon Robinson Jr.
5:094th & 7 at opp 22Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Bryce Kirtz
Michigan State Punt, 6 plays
4:531st & 10 at own 22Payton Thorne pass complete to Jayden Reed for 3 yds to the MchSt 25
4:252nd & 7 at own 25Payton Thorne pass complete to Jayden Reed for 15 yds to the MchSt 40 for a 1ST down
4:121st & 10 at own 40Payton Thorne run for 18 yds to the Nwest 42 for a 1ST down
3:441st & 10 at opp 42Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Jayden Reed
3:312nd & 10 at opp 42Jordon Simmons run for no gain to the Nwest 42
2:583rd & 10 at opp 42Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Terry Lockett Jr.
2:474th & 10 at opp 42Bryce Baringer punt for 41 yds, downed at the Nwest 1
Northwestern Punt, 4 plays
2:301st & 10 at own 1Hunter Johnson pass complete to Stephon Robinson Jr. for 15 yds to the Nwest 16 for a 1ST down
2:101st & 10 at own 16Hunter Johnson run for a loss of 6 yards to the Nwest 10 Hunter Johnson fumbled, recovered by Nwest Hunter Johnson
1:412nd & 16 at own 10Hunter Johnson pass complete to Bryce Kirtz for 8 yds to the Nwest 18
1:073rd & 8 at own 18Hunter Johnson pass complete to Anthony Tyus III for 3 yds to the Nwest 21
0:204th & 5 at own 21Derek Adams punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Jayden Reed at the MchSt 39
Michigan State Punt, 5 plays
0:011st & 10 at own 39Kenneth Walker III run for 4 yds to the MchSt 43
Q2 14:512nd & 6 at own 43Kenneth Walker III run for 7 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
Q2 14:351st & 10 at the 50MICHIGAN ST Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the MchSt 45
Q2 14:221st & 15 at own 45Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
Q2 14:152nd & 15 at own 45Payton Thorne run for 5 yds to the 50 yard line
Q2 13:363rd & 10 at the 50Payton Thorne sacked by Samdup Miller and Chris Bergin for a loss of 7 yards to the MchSt 43
Q2 13:074th & 17 at own 43Bryce Baringer punt for 57 yds for a touchback
2nd quarter6 drives, then Michigan State 21, Northwestern 7
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
12:581st & 10 at own 20Anthony Tyus III run for 4 yds to the Nwest 24
12:292nd & 6 at own 24Hunter Johnson pass complete to Anthony Tyus III for 1 yd to the Nwest 25
11:303rd & 5 at own 25Hunter Johnson run for no gain to the Nwest 25
11:134th & 5 at own 25Derek Adams punt for 41 yds, fair catch by Jayden Reed at the MchSt 34
Michigan State Touchdown, 4 plays
10:521st & 10 at own 34Jordon Simmons run for 2 yds to the MchSt 36
10:252nd & 8 at own 36Payton Thorne pass complete to Tre Mosley for 19 yds to the Nwest 45 for a 1ST down
10:001st & 10 at opp 45Payton Thorne run for 16 yds to the Nwest 29 for a 1ST down NORTHWESTERN Penalty, Personal Foul (Chris Bergin) to the Nwest 14 for a 1ST down
9:451st & 10 at opp 14Payton Thorne pass complete to Jordon Simmons for 14 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)Michigan State 21, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Punt, 5 plays
9:451st & 10 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
9:381st & 10 at own 25Hunter Johnson pass incomplete
9:252nd & 10 at own 25Hunter Johnson pass complete to Evan Hull for 16 yds to the Nwest 41 for a 1ST down
9:071st & 10 at own 41Evan Hull run for 2 yds to the Nwest 43
8:352nd & 8 at own 43Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Malik Washington
8:313rd & 8 at own 43Hunter Johnson pass incomplete
8:234th & 8 at own 43Derek Adams punt for 31 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the MchSt 26
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
8:161st & 10 at own 26Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
8:002nd & 10 at own 26Harold Joiner run for 1 yd to the MchSt 27
7:533rd & 9 at own 27Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Jayden Reed
7:434th & 9 at own 27Bryce Baringer punt for 48 yds , Bryce Kirtz returns for 13 yds to the Nwest 38
Northwestern Touchdown, 15 plays
7:301st & 10 at own 38Andrew Clair run for 8 yds to the Nwest 46
7:102nd & 2 at own 46Andrew Clair run for 1 yd to the Nwest 47
6:403rd & 1 at own 47Hunter Johnson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 49 for a 1ST down
5:501st & 10 at own 49Anthony Tyus III run for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 48
5:152nd & 11 at own 48MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the MchSt 47
4:452nd & 6 at opp 47Hunter Johnson pass complete to Bryce Kirtz for 5 yds to the MchSt 42
4:153rd & 1 at opp 42Stephon Robinson Jr. run for 4 yds to the MchSt 38 for a 1ST down
3:501st & 10 at opp 38Hunter Johnson pass complete to Charlie Mangieri for 25 yds to the MchSt 13 for a 1ST down
3:151st & 10 at opp 13Anthony Tyus III run for 2 yds to the MchSt 11
3:012nd & 8 at opp 11Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Anthony Tyus III
2:303rd & 8 at opp 11Hunter Johnson pass complete to Raymond Niro III for 7 yds to the MchSt 4
2:074th & 1 at opp 4Hunter Johnson run for 2 yds to the MchSt 2 for a 1ST down
1:521st & goal at opp 2Anthony Tyus III run for 1 yd to the MchSt 1
1:162nd & goal at opp 1Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Charlie Mangieri
1:053rd & goal at opp 1Anthony Tyus III run for no gain to the MchSt 1
0:594th & goal at opp 1Hunter Johnson pass complete to Trey Pugh for 1 yd for a TD, (Charlie Kuhbander KICK)Michigan State 21, Northwestern 7
Michigan State Turnover on downs, 7 plays
0:594th & 9 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander kickoff for 51 yds for a touchback
0:451st & 10 at own 25Kenneth Walker III run for 9 yds to the MchSt 34
0:272nd & 1 at own 34Payton Thorne pass complete to Jalen Nailor for 7 yds to the MchSt 41 for a 1ST down
0:201st & 10 at own 41Payton Thorne pass complete to Jayden Reed for 3 yds to the MchSt 44
0:102nd & 7 at own 44Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
0:103rd & 7 at own 44Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 00:10
0:053rd & 7 at own 44Kenneth Walker III run for 14 yds to the Nwest 42 for a 1ST down
0:021st & 10 at opp 42TEAM pass incomplete
0:022nd & 10 at opp 42Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 00:02
0:002nd & 10 at opp 42Matt Coghlin 60 yd FG RETURNED , Brandon Joseph return for 12 yds to the Nwest 12
3rd quarter5 drives, then Michigan State 28, Northwestern 7
Northwestern Missed FG, 7 plays
14:391st & 10 at own 31Evan Hull run for 49 yds to the MchSt 20 for a 1ST down
14:051st & 10 at opp 20Evan Hull run for 9 yds to the MchSt 11
13:452nd & 1 at opp 11Malik Washington run for 2 yds to the MchSt 9 for a 1ST down
13:181st & goal at opp 9NORTHWESTERN Penalty, Illegal Motion (-5 Yards) to the MchSt 14
12:511st & goal at opp 14Evan Hull run for 2 yds to the MchSt 12
12:292nd & goal at opp 12Hunter Johnson run for 2 yds to the MchSt 10
11:453rd & goal at opp 10Hunter Johnson sacked by Xavier Henderson for a loss of 10 yards to the MchSt 20
11:264th & goal at opp 20Charlie Kuhbander 38 yd FG MISSED
Michigan State Touchdown, 11 plays
11:091st & 10 at own 20Kenneth Walker III run for 3 yds to the MchSt 23
10:382nd & 7 at own 23Payton Thorne pass complete to Connor Heyward for 5 yds to the MchSt 28
9:513rd & 2 at own 28Kenneth Walker III run for 9 yds to the MchSt 37 for a 1ST down
9:261st & 10 at own 37Payton Thorne pass complete to Tre Mosley for 26 yds to the Nwest 37 for a 1ST down
9:261st & 10 at opp 37MICHIGAN ST Penalty, Personal Foul (Jarrett Horst) to the MchSt 48
8:451st & 10 at own 48Jordon Simmons run for no gain to the MchSt 48
8:182nd & 10 at own 48Kenneth Walker III run for no gain to the MchSt 48
7:503rd & 10 at own 48Payton Thorne pass complete to Jalen Nailor for 13 yds to the Nwest 39 for a 1ST down
7:321st & 10 at opp 39Payton Thorne pass complete to Tre Mosley for 11 yds to the Nwest 28 for a 1ST down
7:201st & 10 at opp 28Payton Thorne pass complete to Jayden Reed for 23 yds to the Nwest 5 for a 1ST down
7:131st & goal at opp 5Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
7:062nd & goal at opp 5Kenneth Walker III run for 5 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)Michigan State 28, Northwestern 7
Northwestern Punt, 5 plays
7:062nd & 10 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
7:011st & 10 at own 25Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Anthony Tyus III
6:522nd & 10 at own 25Hunter Johnson pass complete to Malik Washington for 19 yds to the Nwest 44 for a 1ST down
6:301st & 10 at own 44Hunter Johnson sacked by Ronald Williams for a loss of 2 yards to the Nwest 42
5:562nd & 12 at own 42Hunter Johnson sacked by TEAM for a loss of 8 yards to the Nwest 34 NORTHWESTERN Penalty, Intentional Grounding (-8 Yards) to the Nwest 34
5:503rd & 20 at own 34Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Charlie Mangieri
5:394th & 20 at own 34Derek Adams punt for 48 yds, fair catch by Jayden Reed at the MchSt 18
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
5:201st & 10 at own 18Kenneth Walker III run for 3 yds to the MchSt 21
4:402nd & 7 at own 21Jordon Simmons run for 5 yds to the MchSt 26
4:213rd & 2 at own 26Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Jordon Simmons
4:094th & 2 at own 26Bryce Baringer punt for 43 yds, downed at the Nwest 31
Northwestern Touchdown, 16 plays
3:581st & 10 at own 31Evan Hull run for 4 yds to the Nwest 35
3:312nd & 6 at own 35Hunter Johnson pass complete to Bryce Kirtz for 13 yds to the Nwest 48 for a 1ST down
2:551st & 10 at own 48Evan Hull run for no gain to the Nwest 48
2:192nd & 10 at own 48Hunter Johnson pass complete to Trey Pugh for 8 yds to the MchSt 44
1:483rd & 2 at opp 44Hunter Johnson run for 8 yds to the MchSt 36 for a 1ST down
1:211st & 10 at opp 36Hunter Johnson sacked by Quavaris Crouch for a loss of 6 yards to the MchSt 42
0:502nd & 16 at opp 42Hunter Johnson pass complete to Jacob Gill for 9 yds to the MchSt 33
0:143rd & 7 at opp 33Hunter Johnson pass complete to Charlie Mangieri for 4 yds to the MchSt 29
Q4 14:454th & 3 at opp 29Hunter Johnson pass complete to Malik Washington for 9 yds to the MchSt 20 for a 1ST down
Q4 14:201st & 10 at opp 20Hunter Johnson pass complete to Andrew Clair for a loss of 4 yards to the MchSt 24
Q4 14:032nd & 14 at opp 24Hunter Johnson run for 4 yds to the MchSt 20
Q4 13:133rd & 10 at opp 20Hunter Johnson pass complete to Stephon Robinson Jr. for 5 yds to the MchSt 15
Q4 12:444th & 5 at opp 15Hunter Johnson pass complete to Bryce Kirtz for 6 yds to the MchSt 9 for a 1ST down
Q4 12:101st & goal at opp 9Hunter Johnson pass complete to Charlie Mangieri for 2 yds to the MchSt 7
Q4 11:302nd & goal at opp 7Hunter Johnson pass complete to Evan Hull for 2 yds to the MchSt 5
Q4 11:173rd & goal at opp 5Hunter Johnson pass complete to Trey Pugh for 5 yds for a TD, (Charlie Kuhbander KICK)Michigan State 28, Northwestern 14
4th quarter5 drives, then Michigan State 38, Northwestern 21
Michigan State Field goal, 10 plays
11:173rd & 6 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander kickoff for 55 yds , Jalen Nailor return for 12 yds to the MchSt 22
10:471st & 10 at own 22Payton Thorne pass complete to Tre Mosley for 3 yds to the MchSt 25
10:302nd & 7 at own 25Kenneth Walker III run for 50 yds to the Nwest 25 for a 1ST down
10:101st & 10 at opp 25Kenneth Walker III run for 9 yds to the Nwest 16
9:482nd & 1 at opp 16Kenneth Walker III run for no gain to the Nwest 16
8:533rd & 1 at opp 16Kenneth Walker III run for no gain to the Nwest 16
8:204th & 1 at opp 16Kenneth Walker III run for 8 yds to the Nwest 8 for a 1ST down
7:461st & goal at opp 8Thorne, Payton rush for 2 yards to the NORTHWSTRN6, PENALTY MICHIGANST holding (Hunt, Tyler) 10 yards to the NORTHWSTRN18, NO PLAY.
7:341st & goal at opp 18Payton Thorne pass incomplete to Jalen Nailor
7:232nd & goal at opp 18Harold Joiner run for 3 yds to the Nwest 15
6:303rd & goal at opp 15Payton Thorne sacked by Jeremy Meiser for a loss of 4 yards to the Nwest 19
6:044th & 0 at opp 19Matt Coghlin 37 yd FG GOODMichigan State 31, Northwestern 14
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
6:044th & 21 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
6:041st & 10 at own 25NORTHWESTERN Penalty, Delay of Game (-5 Yards) to the Nwest 20
5:501st & 15 at own 20Hunter Johnson pass complete to Bryce Kirtz for 2 yds to the Nwest 22
5:372nd & 13 at own 22Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Evan Hull
5:203rd & 13 at own 22Johnson, Hunter pass complete to Hull, Evan for 13 yards to the NORTHWSTRN35, PENALTY NORTHWSTRN holding (Schmidt, Charlie) 10 yards to the NORTHWSTRN12, NO PLAY.
5:063rd & 23 at own 12Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Malik Washington
4:574th & 23 at own 12Derek Adams punt for 35 yds, fair catch by Jayden Reed at the Nwest 47
4:471st & 10 at opp 47Harold Joiner run for 8 yds to the Nwest 39 Harold Joiner fumbled, forced by A.J. Hampton Jr., recovered by Nwest Sean McLaughlin
Northwestern Touchdown, 8 plays
4:301st & 10 at own 39Evan Hull run for 9 yds to the Nwest 48
4:202nd & 1 at own 48Evan Hull run for 8 yds to the MchSt 44 for a 1ST down
4:001st & 10 at opp 44Hunter Johnson pass complete to Raymond Niro III for 8 yds to the MchSt 36
3:452nd & 2 at opp 36Evan Hull run for 4 yds to the MchSt 32 for a 1ST down
3:141st & 10 at opp 32Hunter Johnson pass complete to Evan Hull for 5 yds to the MchSt 27
2:502nd & 5 at opp 27Hunter Johnson pass complete to Malik Washington for 4 yds to the MchSt 23
2:403rd & 1 at opp 23Andrew Clair run for 9 yds to the MchSt 14 for a 1ST down
2:271st & 10 at opp 14Hunter Johnson pass complete to Stephon Robinson Jr. for 14 yds for a TD, (Charlie Kuhbander KICK)Michigan State 31, Northwestern 21
Michigan State Touchdown, 4 plays
2:271st & 10 at own 35Charlie Kuhbander on-side kick recovered by MICHIGAN ST at the MchSt 48
2:191st & 10 at own 48Kenneth Walker III run for 4 yds to the Nwest 48
2:182nd & 6 at opp 48Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 02:18
1:502nd & 6 at opp 48Jayden Reed run for 12 yds to the Nwest 36 for a 1ST down
1:361st & 10 at opp 36Kenneth Walker III run for 30 yds to the Nwest 6 for a 1ST down
1:291st & goal at opp 6Kenneth Walker III run for 6 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)Michigan State 38, Northwestern 21
Northwestern End of game, 3 plays
1:291st & 10 at own 35Matt Coghlin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:051st & 10 at own 25Marcus Cisco run for 5 yds to the Nwest 30
0:392nd & 5 at own 30Marcus Cisco run for 1 yd to the Nwest 31
0:013rd & 4 at own 31Marcus Cisco run for 4 yds to the Nwest 35 for a 1ST down

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 one 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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Northwestern

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