Saturday, September 21
Evanston, Ill.
11 a.m.
Northwestern
1-2 , 0-1
10
vs
31
Michigan State
3-1 , 1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Michigan State
7
7
10
7
31
Northwestern
0
3
0
7
10
Wildcats Fall to Michigan State in Big Ten Opener
9/21/2019 2:29:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern suffered a 31-10 setback in its Big Ten opener against Michigan State on Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field.
The Wildcat defense kept the game close throughout the first half, allowing just seven points until late in the second quarter.
The defensive effort was aided by several exceptional individual performances. Sophomore Greg Newsome II led the Wildcats' secondary with a career-high four pass breakups, tying for the most pass-breakups in a single game since at least 2005. Juniors Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher tied for the team lead in tackles with nine apiece.
Senior defensive end Joe Gaziano recorded a sack late in the second quarter, brining his career total to 23.5 and tying him for second on the all-time NU sack list with Ifeadi Odenigbo (2013-16). The sack was one of NU's four tackles for loss in the opening half, two of which were sacks.
Redshirt first-year Drake Anderson led the 'Cats in rushing yards for the second-straight game, making efficient use of his 16 carries by accumulating 86 yards. The running back also scored the second touchdown of his young career, giving him back-to-back games with a score.
Sophomore defensive back Cameron Ruiz came up with a turnover on special teams, forcing a fumble on the Spartans' first punt return of the game. Junior Travis Whillock recovered the fumble for his second fumble recovery in as many weeks.
Junior quarterback Aidan Smith engineered a Wildcat touchdown drive with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter. Smith set career-highs with four completions for 38 yards, setting up Anderson's 2-yard touchdown scamper.
Chicago's Big Ten Team will be back in action next weekend as they travel to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT.
The Wildcat defense kept the game close throughout the first half, allowing just seven points until late in the second quarter.
The defensive effort was aided by several exceptional individual performances. Sophomore Greg Newsome II led the Wildcats' secondary with a career-high four pass breakups, tying for the most pass-breakups in a single game since at least 2005. Juniors Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher tied for the team lead in tackles with nine apiece.
Senior defensive end Joe Gaziano recorded a sack late in the second quarter, brining his career total to 23.5 and tying him for second on the all-time NU sack list with Ifeadi Odenigbo (2013-16). The sack was one of NU's four tackles for loss in the opening half, two of which were sacks.
Redshirt first-year Drake Anderson led the 'Cats in rushing yards for the second-straight game, making efficient use of his 16 carries by accumulating 86 yards. The running back also scored the second touchdown of his young career, giving him back-to-back games with a score.
Sophomore defensive back Cameron Ruiz came up with a turnover on special teams, forcing a fumble on the Spartans' first punt return of the game. Junior Travis Whillock recovered the fumble for his second fumble recovery in as many weeks.
Junior quarterback Aidan Smith engineered a Wildcat touchdown drive with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter. Smith set career-highs with four completions for 38 yards, setting up Anderson's 2-yard touchdown scamper.
Chicago's Big Ten Team will be back in action next weekend as they travel to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT.
••••••
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Team Stats
MSU
NU
Total Yards
337
265
Pass Yards
228
126
Rushing Yards
109
139
Penalty Yards
47
25
1st Downs
19
17
3rd Downs
6
8
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
28:14
31:46
1st Quarter
MSU 7, NU 0
MSU - Collins, Elijah 5 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:18
2nd Quarter
MSU 7, NU 3
NU - Kuhbander, C 39 yd field goal 12 plays, 43 yards, TOP 3:43
MSU 14, NU 3
MSU - White, Cody 11 yd pass from Lewerke, Brian (Coghlin, Matt kick) 11 plays, 62 yards, TOP 1:15
3rd Quarter
MSU 21, NU 3
MSU - Seybert, Matt 8 yd pass from Lewerke, Brian (Coghlin, Matt kick) 10 plays, 53 yards, TOP 3:48
MSU 24, NU 3
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 26 yd field goal 8 plays, 46 yards, TOP 3:12
4th Quarter
MSU 31, NU 3
MSU - Seybert, Matt 7 yd pass from Lewerke, Brian (Coghlin, Matt kick) 3 plays, 22 yards, TOP 1:24
MSU 31, NU 10
NU - Anderson, Drake 2 yd run (Kuhbander, C kick), 9 plays, 63 yards, TOP 2:58
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
15
TD
0
YDS
88
INT
1
CMP
4
TD
0
YDS
38
INT
2
Players Mentioned
RB
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LB
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LB
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DL
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DB
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DB
/ FootballQB
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DB
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