EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Michigan State’s opportunity to secure its first Big Ten victory slipped away in the final minute Saturday as No. 25 Northwestern blocked a potential go-ahead field goal and drove for the winning kick in a 24–21 decision at Spartan Stadium.
Jackson Kleather (#90) connected from 34 yards with two seconds remaining, completing a fourth-quarter comeback that erased Michigan State’s eight-point lead.
The Spartans fell to 2–5 overall and 0–4 in conference play. Northwestern improved to 5–1 and 2–1.
Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (#11) accounted for all three Spartan touchdowns, passing for two and running for another. He completed 19 of 30 throws for 216 yards without an interception.
His 53-yard touchdown pass to Chrishon McCray (#13) put Michigan State ahead 21–13 with 11:48 remaining. McCray’s 41-yard punt return had helped set up the scoring possession.
Northwestern answered with a 77-yard touchdown drive. Former Spartan quarterback Aidan Chiles (#0) scored on a 1-yard run, then found Alex Honig (#86) for the two-point conversion that tied the game with 7:24 left.
Michigan State regained an advantageous position when it stopped a fake punt and took over at Northwestern’s 28-yard line with 3:29 remaining. The Spartans moved into field-goal range, but Liam Boyd (#37) had his 33-yard attempt blocked with one minute left.
Chiles then directed a 64-yard drive, positioning Kleather for the winning kick.
Earlier, Milivojevic scored on a 3-yard run to give Michigan State a 7–3 lead. Northwestern moved ahead on a 10-yard touchdown run by Caleb Komolafe (#5), but Milivojevic’s 32-yard scoring pass to Bryson Williams (#14) sent the Spartans into halftime leading 14–10.
Jaziun Patterson (#4) paced Michigan State’s rushing attack with 72 yards on 15 carries. McCray finished with three receptions for 64 yards.
Chiles completed 18 of 27 passes for 226 yards and added a rushing touchdown. Komolafe contributed 67 rushing yards and 51 receiving yards.
Dion Crawford (#18) led Michigan State with 14 tackles, while Cam Stodghill (#12) added 11. Ben Roberts (#55) recorded eight tackles, including three for loss and two sacks. Northwestern linebacker Braydon Brus (#33) finished with a career-high 15 tackles.
Michigan State visits UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, on October 24. Northwestern hosts Rutgers at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL, that day.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
EAST LANSING, MI (10-17-26) – Northwestern defeats Michigan State, 24–21, at Spartan Stadium. The Wildcats improved to 5–1 overall, while the Spartans fell to 2–5.
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