Northwestern Falls To Michigan State

10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football

Oct. 17, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes to Blair White in the third quarter Saturday to spark Michigan State to a 24-14 victory over Northwestern.

The Spartans (4-3, 3-1 Big Ten) trailed 7-0 at halftime but rallied against the Wildcats (4-3, 1-2).

Northwestern had won three consecutive Big Ten road games and two straight in East Lansing. But the Cousins-to-White connection wore down the Wildcats.

Cousins hit a wide-open White for a 47-yard touchdown strike to give the Spartans a 14-7 lead with 5:13 left in the third quarter. Their 22-yard connection had tied it 7-7.

White finished with 12 catches for 186 yards and two TDs. Cousins was 21 of 31 for 281 yards.

Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka completed 34 of 47 passes for 291 yards and two TDs.

Wildcats receiver Zeke Markshausen had 16 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.