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Northwestern at Michigan State

Saturday, October 17, 2026

No. 25 Northwestern beat Michigan State 24–⁠21. It was their 61st meeting; Michigan State leads the series 41–⁠20 as played.

Away25Northwestern5–⁠1 in 2026
24
HomeMichigan State2–⁠5 in 2026
21

Final at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing47°F, clear, wind 2 mphTV: Peacock

Highlights

HighlightsNorthwestern at Michigan State | Highlights | Big Ten Football | 10/17/2026Big Ten Football on YouTube

Video from Big Ten Football on YouTube.

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northwestern3731124
Michigan State770721

How the win probability moved

Michigan State favored

Win probability by play: Michigan State 58% at kickoff, 0% at the end. Biggest swing: 44 points.

Northwestern favored

Win probability after every play, from CollegeFootballData.com’s model. The dot marks the biggest swing (44 points).

Standouts

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

In the news

Player stats

Northwestern

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Aidan Chiles18/2722600
Alex Honig0/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Caleb Komolafe1567114
Joseph Himon II727018
Aidan Chiles1625117
Gavin Sawchuk41505
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Griffin Wilde657017
Caleb Komolafe451021
Hayden Eligon Ii347023
Alex Honig242023
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Braydon Brus150.500
Jon Jon Stevens10000
Kobie McKinzie7000
Montae Pate6000
Michael Kilbane3110

Michigan State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Alessio Milivojevic19/3021620
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Jaziun Patterson1572012
Alessio Milivojevic71719
Marvis Parrish3504
Carson Gulker1202
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Chrishon McCray364153
Fredrick Moore343029
Jayden Savoury433013
Bryson Williams132132
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Dion Crawford141.500
Cam Stodghill111.500
Ben Roberts8320
Devin Vaught8000
Keahnist Thompson510.50
Anelu Lafaele4220
Eli Coenen20.50.50

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

Team stats

NorthwesternMichigan State
360Total yards305
226Passing yards216
134Rushing yards89
7.8Yards per pass7.2
3.2Yards per rush3.3
23First downs15
7–⁠14Third downs3–⁠12
0–⁠1Fourth downs2–⁠4
0Turnovers1
4–⁠20Penalties3–⁠15
34:55Possession25:03
1Sacks (by defense)5

Efficiency

NorthwesternMichigan State
45%Success rate44%
0.23EPA per play0.02
1.42Explosiveness1.11
0.06Rushing EPA−0.04
0.19Passing EPA0.07
41%Passing-down success50%
−0.07First-down EPA0.03
0.59Second-down EPA0.55
0.59Third-down EPA−0.44
11%Havoc by its defense20%

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 65% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Northwestern −7.5, over/under 50.5.

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 68%, Michigan State 32%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Michigan State end zoneNorthwestern end zoneQ1 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 6 playsQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ1 Michigan StateFumble, 3 playsQ1 NorthwesternField goal, 4 playsQ1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 12 playsQ1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 12 playsQ2 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ2 NorthwesternMissed FG, 9 playsQ2 Michigan StateTouchdown, 9 playsQ2 NorthwesternEnd of half, 2 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 NorthwesternField goal, 14 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 7 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 6 playsQ4 Michigan StateTouchdown, 2 playsQ4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 9 playsQ4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ4 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 5 playsQ4 Michigan StateMissed FG, 6 playsQ4 NorthwesternField goal, 8 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Michigan State drives left to right, Northwestern right to left.
  1. Q1 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 6 plays, 31 yards
  2. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 38 yards
  3. Q1 Michigan StateFumble, 3 plays, −8 yards
  4. Q1 NorthwesternField goal, 4 plays, −55 yards
  5. Q1 Michigan StateTouchdown, 12 plays, 46 yards
  6. Q1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 12 plays, 72 yards
  7. Q2 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 35 yards
  8. Q2 NorthwesternMissed FG, 9 plays, 37 yards
  9. Q2 Michigan StateTouchdown, 9 plays, 77 yards
  10. Q2 NorthwesternEnd of half, 2 plays, 50 yards
  11. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 56 yards
  12. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 44 yards
  13. Q3 NorthwesternField goal, 14 plays, 15 yards
  14. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 7 plays, 61 yards
  15. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 6 plays, 36 yards
  16. Q4 Michigan StateTouchdown, 2 plays, 52 yards
  17. Q4 NorthwesternTouchdown, 9 plays, 77 yards
  18. Q4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 61 yards
  19. Q4 NorthwesternTurnover on downs, 5 plays, 13 yards
  20. Q4 Michigan StateMissed FG, 6 plays, 28 yards
  21. Q4 NorthwesternField goal, 8 plays, 15 yards

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Michigan State 7, Northwestern 3
Michigan State Turnover on downs, 6 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35#98 N.Sur kickoff 65 yards to the MSU00, Touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 12 yards gain to the MSU37 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.), 1ST DOWN
15:001st & 10 at own 37Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #31 J.Savoury caught at MSU40, for 13 yards to the MSU50 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.; #2 K.McKinzie), 1ST DOWN
15:001st & 10 at the 50Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NU 46 (#33 B.Brus; #2 K.McKinzie)
15:002nd & 6 at opp 46Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #31 J.Savoury caught at NU 44, for 2 yards to the NU 44 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.)
15:003rd & 4 at opp 44Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete short middle to #13 C.McCray thrown to NU 30
12:304th & 4 at opp 44Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete short left to #14 B.Williams thrown to NU 37, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
12:301st & 10 at own 44#0 A.Chiles pass incomplete short right to #86 A.Honig thrown to NU 45 broken up by #18 D.Crawford
12:302nd & 10 at own 44#0 A.Chiles rush left for 1 yard gain to the NU 45 (#21 N.Martinez)
12:303rd & 9 at own 45PENALTY NU Delay Of Game 5 yards from NU 45 to NU 40. NO PLAY
12:303rd & 14 at own 40Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass incomplete short right to #8 H.Eligon II thrown to MSU45
12:304th & 14 at own 40PENALTY MSU Offside (#51 K.Burnett) 5 yards from NU 40 to NU 45. NO PLAY
12:304th & 9 at own 45PENALTY NU False Start (#34 P.Roth) 5 yards from NU 45 to NU 40. NO PLAY
11:074th & 14 at own 40#92 N.Dugandzic punt 42 yards to the MSU18 fair catch by #13 C.McCray at MSU18
Michigan State Fumble, 3 plays
11:071st & 10 at own 18Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete short left to #8 K.Smith thrown to MSU25
11:072nd & 10 at own 18Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush right for 4 yards gain to the MSU22 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.; #88 M.Jackson), out of bounds
10:353rd & 6 at own 22Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic sacked for loss of 12 yards to the MSU10 (#47 M.Kilbane), fumble by #11 A.Milivojevic recovered by NU #47 M.Kilbane at MSU10, End Of Play
Northwestern Field goal, 4 plays
10:351st & goal at opp 10#5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 0 yards to the MSU10 (#12 C.Stodghill; #55 B.Roberts)
10:352nd & goal at opp 10Shotgun #0 A.Chiles sacked for loss of 5 yards to the MSU15 (#96 E.Coenen, #55 B.Roberts)
9:103rd & goal at opp 15Shotgun #0 A.Chiles sacked for loss of 5 yards to the MSU20 (#11 A.Lafaele), fumble by #0 A.Chiles recovered by NU #69 P.Schaller at MSU20, End Of Play
9:102nd & goal at opp 10Timeout Northwestern, clock 09:10
8:234th & goal at opp 20#90 J.Kleather field goal attempt from 39 yards GOOD (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #60 E.Boutorwick), clock 08:23Northwestern 3, Michigan State 0
Michigan State Touchdown, 12 plays
8:121st & 10 at own 35#98 N.Sur kickoff 58 yards to the MSU07 #32 K.Williams return 44 yards to the NU 49 (#3 B.Deasfernandes), out of bounds
8:121st & 10 at opp 49Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short middle to #31 J.Savoury caught at NU 45, for 10 yards to the NU 39 (#2 K.McKinzie; #33 B.Brus), 1ST DOWN
8:121st & 10 at opp 39Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete short right to #3 R.Bullard Jr. thrown to NU 30 QB hurried by #24 J.Johnson
8:122nd & 10 at opp 39Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #6 F.Moore caught at NU 34, for 9 yards to the NU 30 (#4 M.Pate; #21 D.Walters)
8:123rd & 1 at opp 30Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #21 M.Parrish caught at NU 28, for 4 yards to the NU 26 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.), 1ST DOWN
8:121st & 10 at opp 26No Huddle-Shotgun #21 M.Parrish rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NU 22 (#47 M.Kilbane)
8:122nd & 6 at opp 22Shotgun #21 M.Parrish rush left for 2 yards gain to the NU 20 (#7 O.Adeyi; #88 M.Jackson)
8:123rd & 4 at opp 20Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NU 17 (#90 J.Trautmann; #33 B.Brus)
8:124th & 1 at opp 17Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NU 12 (#91 C.O’Rourke), 1ST DOWN
8:121st & 10 at opp 12No Huddle-Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NU 07 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.)
8:122nd & 5 at opp 7No Huddle-Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 05 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.; #2 K.McKinzie)
8:123rd & 3 at opp 5Shotgun #12 C.Gulker rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 03 (#95 M.Mayne)
2:024th & 1 at opp 3#11 A.Milivojevic rush right for 3 yards gain to the NU 00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 02:02, 1ST DOWN #37 L.Boyd kick attempt good (H: #9 R.Dakin, LS: #50 N.Duzansky)Michigan State 7, Northwestern 3
2:021st & 10 at own 35#37 L.Boyd kickoff 65 yards to the NU 00, Touchback
2:02Timeout Michigan State, clock 02:02
Northwestern Touchdown, 12 plays
2:021st & 10 at own 25Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 8 yards gain to the NU 33 (#21 N.Martinez), out of bounds
2:022nd & 2 at own 33No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short left to #17 G.Wilde caught at NU 34, for 1 yard to the NU 34 (#7 M.Richard)
2:023rd & 1 at own 34#0 A.Chiles rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU 35 (#55 B.Roberts; #18 D.Crawford), 1ST DOWN
2:021st & 10 at own 35Shotgun #0 A.Chiles rush middle for 12 yards gain to the NU 47 (#2 D.Vaught; #18 D.Crawford), 1ST DOWN
Q2 15:001st & 10 at own 47Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush left for 1 yard loss to the NU 46 (#18 D.Crawford), out of bounds
Q2 15:002nd & 11 at own 46Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush right for 1 yard loss to the NU 45 (#21 N.Martinez; #9 K.Thompson)
Q2 15:003rd & 12 at own 45Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at MSU38, for 16 yards to the MSU39 (#0 N.Burt), 1ST DOWN
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 39Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass incomplete deep middle to #17 G.Wilde thrown to MSU19 broken up by #12 C.Stodghill
Q2 15:002nd & 10 at opp 39Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush middle for 18 yards gain to the MSU21 (#2 D.Vaught), 1ST DOWN
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 21#0 A.Chiles pass complete short right to #6 J.Himon II caught at MSU20, for 11 yards to the MSU10 (#24 J.Favorite), 1ST DOWN
Q2 15:001st & goal at opp 10Shotgun #0 A.Chiles rush right for 0 yards to the MSU10 (#1 K.Soares, Jr.; #18 D.Crawford)
Q2 11:042nd & goal at opp 10Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 10 yards gain to the MSU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 11:04, 1ST DOWN #90 J.Kleather kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #60 E.Boutorwick)Northwestern 10, Michigan State 7
Q2 10:591st & 10 at own 35#98 N.Sur kickoff 53 yards to the MSU12 #98 D.Simmons return 13 yards to the MSU25 (#31 T.Williams Jr.)
Q2 11:04Timeout Northwestern, clock 11:04
2nd quarter4 drives, then Michigan State 14, Northwestern 10
Michigan State Turnover on downs, 7 plays
11:041st & 10 at own 25#11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short right to #6 F.Moore caught at MSU30, for 5 yards to the MSU30 (#7 O.Adeyi)
11:042nd & 5 at own 30#3 R.Bullard Jr. rush middle for 7 yards loss to the MSU23 (#9 B.Turner)
11:043rd & 12 at own 23Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete deep middle to #6 F.Moore caught at MSU45, for 29 yards to the NU 48 (#33 B.Brus), 1ST DOWN
11:041st & 10 at opp 48Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #21 M.Parrish caught at MSU47, for 8 yards to the NU 40 (#9 B.Turner; #21 D.Walters)
11:042nd & 2 at opp 40Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short right to #3 R.Bullard Jr. caught at NU 43, for 1 yard to the NU 39 (#4 M.Pate)
11:043rd & 1 at opp 39#21 M.Parrish rush middle for 1 yard loss to the NU 40 (#33 B.Brus; #90 J.Trautmann)
6:584th & 2 at opp 40Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete deep right to #3 R.Bullard Jr. thrown to NU 17, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
7:043rd & 1 at own 39Timeout Northwestern, clock 07:04
Northwestern Missed FG, 9 plays
7:041st & 10 at own 40Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 0 yards to the NU 40 (#55 B.Roberts; #18 D.Crawford)
7:042nd & 10 at own 40#0 A.Chiles pass complete short left to #8 H.Eligon II caught at MSU45, for 23 yards to the MSU37 (#18 D.Crawford; #24 J.Favorite), 1ST DOWN
7:041st & 10 at opp 37#0 A.Chiles pass incomplete short middle to #17 G.Wilde thrown to MSU35 QB hurried by #9 K.Thompson
7:042nd & 10 at opp 37Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 9 yards gain to the MSU28 (#24 J.Favorite), out of bounds
7:043rd & 1 at opp 28#0 A.Chiles pass complete short right to #19 D.Wagner caught at MSU27, for 4 yards to the MSU24 (#30 A.Grose), 1ST DOWN
7:041st & 10 at opp 24Shotgun #0 A.Chiles rush middle for 2 yards gain to the MSU22 (#13 I.Smith)
7:042nd & 8 at opp 22PENALTY NU Illegal Snap (#65 J.Carsello) 5 yards from MSU22 to MSU27. NO PLAY
7:042nd & 13 at opp 27Shotgun #27 G.Sawchuk rush left for 4 yards gain to the MSU23 (#13 I.Smith; #7 M.Richard)
7:043rd & 9 at opp 23Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass incomplete deep left to #19 D.Wagner thrown to MSU01
2:484th & 9 at opp 23#90 J.Kleather field goal attempt from 41 yards NO GOOD blocked by #96 E.Coenen (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #60 E.Boutorwick), clock 02:48 recovered by NU Northwestern at MSU23, End Of Play
Michigan State Touchdown, 9 plays
2:481st & 10 at own 23Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 6 yards gain to the MSU29 (#21 D.Walters; #9 B.Turner)
2:002nd & 4 at own 29Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #3 R.Bullard Jr. caught at MSU36, for 10 yards to the MSU39 (#4 M.Pate), 1ST DOWN
2:001st & 10 at own 23Timeout Michigan State, clock 02:00
2:001st & 10 at own 39No Huddle-Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #4 J.Patterson caught at MSU42, for 6 yards to the MSU45 (#4 M.Pate; #33 B.Brus)
2:002nd & 4 at own 45No Huddle-Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #31 J.Savoury caught at MSU50, for 8 yards to the NU 47 (#4 M.Pate), 1ST DOWN
2:001st & 10 at opp 47No Huddle-Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete short right to #6 F.Moore thrown to NU 37 broken up by #9 B.Turner
2:002nd & 10 at opp 47Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic rush right for 9 yards gain to the NU 38 (#21 D.Walters; #33 B.Brus)
1:103rd & 1 at opp 38Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic rush right for 6 yards gain to the NU 32 (#91 C.O’Rourke; #33 B.Brus), 1ST DOWN
1:102nd & 10 at opp 47Timeout Michigan State, clock 01:10
1:101st & 10 at opp 32No Huddle-Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete deep left to #3 R.Bullard Jr. thrown to NU 00
0:472nd & 10 at opp 32Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete deep left to #14 B.Williams caught at NU 00, for 32 yards to the NU 00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 00:47, 1ST DOWN #37 L.Boyd kick attempt good (H: #9 R.Dakin, LS: #50 N.Duzansky)Michigan State 14, Northwestern 10
Northwestern End of half, 2 plays
0:471st & 10 at own 35#37 L.Boyd kickoff 65 yards to the NU 00, Touchback
0:471st & 10 at own 25No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles sacked for loss of 4 yards to the NU 21 (#11 A.Lafaele)
0:362nd & 14 at own 21Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 6 yards gain to the NU 27 (#1 K.Soares, Jr.)
0:361st & 10 at opp 25Timeout Michigan State, clock 00:36
3rd quarter6 drives, then Michigan State 14, Northwestern 13
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
14:541st & 10 at own 35#37 L.Boyd kickoff 64 yards to the NU 01 #6 J.Himon II return 19 yards to the NU 20 (#32 E.Young)
15:001st & 10 at own 20Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards loss to the NU 18 (#12 C.Stodghill)
15:002nd & 12 at own 18Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 6 yards gain to the NU 24 (#2 D.Vaught)
15:003rd & 6 at own 24Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass incomplete short middle to #17 G.Wilde thrown to NU 38
13:274th & 6 at own 24#92 N.Dugandzic punt 46 yards to the MSU30 #13 C.McCray return 6 yards to the MSU36 (#33 B.Brus)
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
13:271st & 10 at own 36Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short right to #32 K.Williams caught at MSU36, for 3 yards to the MSU39 (#4 M.Pate; #33 B.Brus)
13:274th & 6 at own 24Timeout Northwestern, clock 13:27
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
13:272nd & 7 at own 39Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short left to #13 C.McCray caught at MSU35, for 5 yards to the MSU44 (#2 K.McKinzie; #21 D.Walters)
13:273rd & 2 at own 44Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete short left to #4 J.Patterson thrown to MSU45 broken up by #24 J.Johnson
11:564th & 2 at own 44#9 R.Dakin punt 56 yards to the NU 00, Touchback
Northwestern Field goal, 14 plays
11:561st & 10 at own 20Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at NU 23, for 4 yards to the NU 24 (#12 C.Stodghill)
11:562nd & 6 at own 24#27 G.Sawchuk rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NU 29 (#2 D.Vaught; #9 K.Thompson)
11:563rd & 1 at own 29#0 A.Chiles rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 31 (#18 D.Crawford; #12 C.Stodghill), 1ST DOWN
11:561st & 10 at own 31Shotgun #27 G.Sawchuk rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 33 (#13 I.Smith; #18 D.Crawford)
11:562nd & 8 at own 33Shotgun #27 G.Sawchuk rush left for 4 yards gain to the NU 37 (#2 D.Vaught; #12 C.Stodghill)
11:563rd & 4 at own 37Shotgun #0 A.Chiles rush left for 5 yards gain to the NU 42 (#2 D.Vaught), 1ST DOWN
11:561st & 10 at own 42Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short left to #19 D.Wagner caught at MSU44, for 14 yards to the MSU44, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
11:561st & 10 at opp 44Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 3 yards gain to the MSU41 (#96 E.Coenen; #1 K.Soares, Jr.)
11:562nd & 7 at opp 41#5 C.Komolafe rush left for 1 yard loss to the MSU42 (#12 C.Stodghill; #18 D.Crawford)
11:563rd & 8 at opp 42Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short middle to #86 A.Honig caught at MSU26, for 19 yards to the MSU23 (#30 A.Grose; #7 M.Richard), 1ST DOWN
11:561st & 10 at opp 23#0 A.Chiles pass complete short middle to #17 G.Wilde caught at MSU16, for 7 yards to the MSU16 (#21 N.Martinez)
11:562nd & 3 at opp 16Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush middle for 3 yards loss to the MSU19 (#55 B.Roberts)
4:323rd & 6 at opp 19Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass incomplete short right to #6 J.Himon II thrown to MSU18
4:322nd & 3 at opp 16Timeout Northwestern, clock 04:32
4:244th & 6 at opp 19#90 J.Kleather field goal attempt from 37 yards GOOD (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #60 E.Boutorwick), clock 04:24Michigan State 14, Northwestern 13
Michigan State Punt, 7 plays
4:181st & 10 at own 35#98 N.Sur kickoff 60 yards to the MSU05 #32 K.Williams return 18 yards to the MSU23 (#0 A.Jones; #31 T.Williams Jr.)
4:181st & 10 at own 23Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 8 yards gain to the MSU31 (#9 B.Turner; #5 D.Kirks)
4:182nd & 2 at own 31No Huddle-Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 6 yards gain to the MSU37 (#9 B.Turner), 1ST DOWN
4:181st & 10 at own 37Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short right to #4 J.Patterson caught at MSU35, for 7 yards to the MSU44 (#33 B.Brus)
4:182nd & 3 at own 44No Huddle-Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 4 yards gain to the MSU48 (#2 K.McKinzie; #55 D.Roberts), 1ST DOWN
4:181st & 10 at own 48Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete short right to #31 J.Savoury thrown to MSU50 QB hurried by #24 J.Johnson
4:182nd & 10 at own 48Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short right to #13 C.McCray caught at NU 47, for 6 yards to the NU 46 (#33 B.Brus)
4:183rd & 4 at opp 46No Huddle-Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete short left to #21 M.Parrish thrown to NU 45 QB hurried by #32 M.Smith
1:214th & 4 at opp 46#9 R.Dakin punt 30 yards to the NU 16 fair catch by #19 D.Wagner at NU 16
Northwestern Punt, 6 plays
1:211st & 10 at own 16Shotgun #0 A.Chiles rush right for 17 yards gain to the NU 33 (#11 A.Lafaele), 1ST DOWN
1:211st & 10 at own 33Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 0 yards to the NU 33 (#18 D.Crawford; #9 K.Thompson)
1:212nd & 10 at own 33#0 A.Chiles pass complete short middle to #8 H.Eligon II caught at NU 49, for 16 yards to the NU 49, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
Q4 15:001st & 10 at own 49#6 J.Himon II rush middle for 2 yards gain to the MSU49 (#9 K.Thompson; #18 D.Crawford)
Q4 15:002nd & 8 at opp 49#0 A.Chiles sacked for loss of 14 yards to the NU 37 (#55 B.Roberts, #9 K.Thompson)
Q4 15:003rd & 22 at own 37#5 C.Komolafe rush right for 5 yards gain to the NU 42 (#0 N.Burt; #12 C.Stodghill)
Q4 12:484th & 17 at own 42#92 N.Dugandzic punt 51 yards to the MSU07 #13 C.McCray return 41 yards to the MSU48 (#92 N.Dugandzic)
4th quarter6 drives, then Northwestern 24, Michigan State 21
Michigan State Touchdown, 2 plays
12:481st & 10 at own 48Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic rush right for 4 yards gain to the NU 48 (#2 K.McKinzie)
12:482nd & 6 at opp 48PENALTY MSU False Start (#58 C.Moore) 5 yards from NU 48 to MSU47. NO PLAY
11:482nd & 11 at own 47Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete deep middle to #13 C.McCray caught at NU 18, for 53 yards to the NU 00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 11:48, 1ST DOWN #37 L.Boyd kick attempt good (H: #9 R.Dakin, LS: #50 N.Duzansky)Michigan State 21, Northwestern 13
Northwestern Touchdown, 9 plays
11:421st & 10 at own 35#37 L.Boyd kickoff 62 yards to the NU 03 #6 J.Himon II return 20 yards to the NU 23 (#23 D.White; #30 A.Grose), out of bounds
11:421st & 10 at own 23Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short middle to #5 C.Komolafe caught at NU 27, for 20 yards to the NU 43 (#2 D.Vaught; #55 B.Roberts), 1ST DOWN
11:421st & 10 at own 43Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short right to #5 C.Komolafe caught at NU 41, for 3 yards to the NU 46 (#18 D.Crawford), out of bounds
11:422nd & 7 at own 46Shotgun #0 A.Chiles rush left for 11 yards gain to the MSU43 (#0 N.Burt), 1ST DOWN
11:421st & 10 at opp 43No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short left to #8 H.Eligon II caught at MSU37, for 8 yards to the MSU35 (#11 A.Lafaele; #12 C.Stodghill)
11:422nd & 2 at opp 35No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 7 yards gain to the MSU28 (#12 C.Stodghill; #21 N.Martinez), 1ST DOWN
11:421st & 10 at opp 28No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short left to #5 C.Komolafe caught at MSU29, for 7 yards to the MSU21 (#12 C.Stodghill), out of bounds
11:422nd & 3 at opp 21No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the MSU19 (#13 I.Smith; #18 D.Crawford)
11:423rd & 1 at opp 19PENALTY NU False Start (#83 B.Van Buren) 5 yards from MSU19 to MSU24. NO PLAY
11:423rd & 6 at opp 24Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short middle to #86 A.Honig caught at MSU15, for 23 yards to the MSU01 (#30 A.Grose), 1ST DOWN
7:241st & goal at opp 1Shotgun #0 A.Chiles rush middle for 1 yard gain to the MSU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 07:24 #86 A.Honig pass attempt SuccessfulTied at 21
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
7:191st & 10 at own 35#94 H.Helms kickoff 55 yards to the MSU10 #32 K.Williams return 14 yards to the MSU24 (#27 J.Oyola; #32 M.Smith)
7:191st & 10 at own 24Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush right for 2 yards gain to the MSU26 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.; #33 B.Brus)
7:192nd & 8 at own 26Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass complete short middle to #4 J.Patterson caught at MSU29, for 5 yards to the MSU31 (#33 B.Brus)
7:193rd & 3 at own 31Shotgun #11 A.Milivojevic pass incomplete deep left to #13 C.McCray thrown to NU 33
5:544th & 3 at own 31#9 R.Dakin punt 58 yards to the NU 11 #19 D.Wagner return 4 yards to the NU 15 (#20 Z.Gist), out of bounds
Northwestern Turnover on downs, 5 plays
5:541st & 10 at own 15Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush right for 11 yards gain to the NU 26 (#0 N.Burt), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
5:541st & 10 at own 26Shotgun #0 A.Chiles sacked for loss of 7 yards to the NU 19 (#55 B.Roberts) PENALTY NU Holding declined
5:542nd & 17 at own 19Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU 20 (#1 K.Soares, Jr.; #18 D.Crawford)
5:543rd & 16 at own 20Shotgun #0 A.Chiles rush left for 8 yards gain to the NU 28 (#0 N.Burt)
3:294th & 8 at own 28#86 A.Honig pass incomplete short middle to #41 R.Preckel thrown to NU 40 broken up by #23 D.White, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
Michigan State Missed FG, 6 plays
3:291st & 10 at opp 28Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush right for 4 yards gain to the NU 24 (#7 O.Adeyi)
3:292nd & 6 at opp 24Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 8 yards gain to the NU 16 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.), 1ST DOWN
3:291st & 10 at opp 16Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NU 13 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.)
1:562nd & 7 at opp 13Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 0 yards to the NU 13 (#33 B.Brus)
1:561st & 10 at own 16Timeout Northwestern, clock 01:56
1:533rd & 7 at opp 13PENALTY MSU Illegal Snap (#63 T.Fraley) 5 yards from NU 13 to NU 18. NO PLAY
1:532nd & 7 at own 13Timeout Northwestern, clock 01:53
1:533rd & 12 at opp 18Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NU 15 (#47 M.Kilbane)
1:004th & 9 at opp 15#37 L.Boyd field goal attempt from 33 yards NO GOOD blocked by #32 M.Smith (H: #9 R.Dakin, LS: #50 N.Duzansky), clock 01:00, out of bounds at NU 00
1:053rd & 12 at opp 18Timeout Michigan State, clock 01:05
Northwestern Field goal, 8 plays
1:051st & 10 at own 20No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short middle to #5 C.Komolafe caught at NU 25, for 21 yards to the NU 41 (#7 M.Richard; #12 C.Stodghill), 1ST DOWN
1:051st & 10 at own 41No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass incomplete short middle to #5 C.Komolafe thrown to NU 48 broken up by #12 C.Stodghill
1:052nd & 10 at own 41No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at MSU47, for 12 yards to the MSU47 (#24 J.Favorite), 1ST DOWN
1:051st & 10 at opp 47No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass incomplete short left to #8 H.Eligon II thrown to MSU35 QB hurried by #1 K.Soares, Jr.
1:052nd & 10 at opp 47No Huddle-Shotgun #0 A.Chiles pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at MSU30, for 17 yards to the MSU30, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
1:051st & 10 at opp 30No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 14 yards gain to the MSU16 (#2 D.Vaught), 1ST DOWN
1:051st & 10 at opp 16No Huddle #0 A.Chiles pass incomplete, Spike
0:022nd & 10 at opp 16#90 J.Kleather field goal attempt from 34 yards GOOD (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #60 E.Boutorwick), clock 00:02Northwestern 24, Michigan State 21
0:051st & 10 at own 16Timeout Michigan State, clock 00:05

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.

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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