Cats’ first loss is self- inflicted
NU’s three turnovers in 4th quarter help MSU pull off upset
EAST LANSING, Mich. — No. 11 Northwestern put itself in position to play for the Big Ten title, then it hit the road.
Michigan State was ready. Matt Coghlin made a tiebreaking 48- yard field goal with 3: 35 left, and the Spartans handed Northwestern its first loss of the season with a 29- 20 victory Saturday.
The Wildcats ( 5- 1, 5- 1) were coming off a 17- 7 victory over Wisconsin that moved them into contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff. That prospect likely was dashed with this loss, but they remain in control of the Big Ten West.
“Really disappointed in the outcome, but we have all our goals in front of us,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “We didn’t come up here and play clean football, and Michigan State did and credit to them.”
The Spartans ( 2- 3, 2- 3) lost a 17- 0 lead but went back ahead by forcing three turnovers in the fourth quarter and making the most of two big kicks by Coghlin.
Michigan State had dropped consecutive games against Iowa and Indiana by a combined score of 73- 7, including a 24- 0 loss to the Hoosiers at home on Nov. 14. Last weekend’s matchup with Maryland was canceled because of a COVID- 19 outbreak on the Terrapins.
“We needed this win as a team,” said Rocky Lombardi, who got the Spartans off to a fast start with a 75yard touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor. “It’s good to get out there and beat a really good team like Northwestern because it’s just the kind of confidence boost we needed.’’
It was the second win for firstyear coach Mel Tucker after the Spartans beat Michigan on Oct. 31.
“Culture doesn’t change overnight — it just doesn’t,” Tucker said. “But wins like today show what we’re capable of.”
Northwestern grabbed a 20- 17 lead on Cam Porter’s three- yard run early in the fourth quarter.
The Spartans rallied on Coghlin’s 44- yard field goal after forcing a turnover one snap after Lombardi threw an interception.
Northwestern turned the ball over again, and wide receiver Berkeley Holman was carted off the field after the play.
Shakur Brown broke on Peyton Ramsey’s pass for his second interception and made contact with Holman, who remained motionless on the field while the school’s medical staff evaluated him. Holman was strapped to a backboard and lifted onto a cart. After Holman’s teammates surrounded him to offer support, he lifted his left arm and extended his thumb.
He was taken to a hospital as a precaution and was talking, alert and moving. “Great news about Berk,” Fitzgerald said.
The Wildcats punted on their next possession, facing a fourthand- 10 from their 22 with a few minutes left.
Lombardi converted a third- andeight from his 38 with a run after Northwestern called a timeout, taking time off the clock until punting from midfield with 32 seconds left.
The Wildcats ended the game by throwing laterals from deep in their end, trying to extend the play as time expired, only to have the Spartans recover the ball in the end zone for a touchdown at a fan- free game.
“A lot of self- inflicted wounds on our end,” Fitzgerald said.