Northwestern
5-1 , 5-1
Michigan State
2-3 , 2-3
Wildcats Suffer First Loss of Season Against Spartans
11/28/2020 6:36:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Northwestern overcame a 17-point deficit for the second time this season, but came up short in a back and forth battle against Michigan State.
Northwestern remains atop the Big Ten West standings at 5-1 overall and in conference play. It needs one victory in its next two games to clinch the division for the second time in the last three years.
Wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman tied for his career-high of eight receptions for the second time in his last three games. The Wildcats' senior linebacker trio of Paddy Fisher, Blake Gallagher and Chris Bergin each recorded at least 10 tackles for the third time this season, while defensive back Brandon Joseph compiled a career-high 10 tackles as well.
The 'Cats started out the game on the defensive side of the ball, where they forced the Spartans to go three-and-out on their initial drive. It was the second consecutive game where NU's defense forced a three-and-out on its first defensive possession and third of the season.
Northwestern followed its strong defensive start by turning the ball over on downs after Isaiah Bowser was stuffed on a fourth-and-one inside the Michigan State 25-yard line. The Spartans capitalized, as just two plays later Rocky Lomardi completed a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor.
Michigan State continued to pile on its lead after Jayden Reed brought in a pass from Lombardi on the first play of the second quarter for a 15-yard touchdown. Lombardi's only two completions throughout his first eight passes were touchdowns.
NU got on the scoreboard following Charlie Kuhbander's 42-yard field goal during its fourth possession and first of the second quarter. It was the senior's fifth 3-pointer of at least 40 yards this season and the kick also moved him past Stefan Demos for seventh place in program history with 35 career field goals. The Springboro, Ohio native connected on another field goal from 32 yards with just over six and a half minutes to play in the first half, cutting the Spartans' lead to 11.
Following a tackle for loss by Earnest Brown IV, Northwestern had an opportunity to get the ball back quickly but failed to get a stop on 3rd-and-14 after Lombardi rushed for 21 yards. The Wildcats were able to get off the field with just under a minute to play in the second quarter and kept the Spartans' lead at 11 heading into halftime following a missed 50-yard field goal from Matt Coghlin.
Northwestern began the second half with two completions to Chiaokhiao-Bowman and Riley Lees for a combined 43 yards putting the 'Cats quickly into Spartan territory. Lees found quarterback Andrew Marty that put NU at the Michigan State five-yard line, marking the second straight week where the senior wideout completed a pass. Following two goal line rushes, Northwestern went for it on fourth-and-goal when quarterback Peyton Ramsey walked into the end zone to give the 'Cats their first touchdown of the game. The fourth-down conversion was NU's second of the game and it also marked the third time this season where the Wildcats were successful on multiple fourth downs in a game.
With just over a minute played in the fourth quarter, Northwestern took its first lead of the game following Cam Porter's first career rushing touchdown from three yards out. Just three plays later, Fisher picked off Lombardi to give the 'Cats their first takeaway of the game and what then marked the sixth straight game where NU recorded a turnover in the second half.
Michigan State tied the score at 20 after Coghlin connected on a 44-yard field goal with just over 10 minutes to play. The Spartans regained the lead with roughly three and a half minutes remaining after Coghlin made another field goal.
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Team Stats
NU 0, MSU 7
MSU - Nailor, Jalen 75 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) 2 plays, 81 yards, TOP 0:41
NU 0, MSU 10
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 22 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 1:18
NU 0, MSU 17
MSU - Reed, Jayden 15 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) 13 plays, 85 yards, TOP 5:44
NU 3, MSU 17
NU - Kuhbander,C 42 yd field goal 13 plays, 51 yards, TOP 3:53
NU 6, MSU 17
NU - Kuhbander,C 32 yd field goal 9 plays, 42 yards, TOP 1:45
NU 13, MSU 17
NU - Ramsey,Peyton 1 yd run (Kuhbander,C kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:21
NU 20, MSU 17
NU - Porter,Cam 3 yd run (Kuhbander,C kick), 8 plays, 37 yards, TOP 3:34
NU 20, MSU 20
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 44 yd field goal 7 plays, 27 yards, TOP 3:04
NU 20, MSU 23
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 48 yd field goal 7 plays, 19 yards, TOP 2:47
NU 20, MSU 29
MSU - Gervin, Kalon 0 yd fumble recovery ()
