Wildcats’ perfect season out of reach
MICHIGAN STATE 29, NORTHWESTERN 20
Northwestern storms back froma 17-point deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead, but Michigan State rallies towin. Itwas the Wildcats’ first loss and likely ended their hopes of a College Football Playoff spot.
A comeback appeared to be coming together forNorthwestern.
It always does, right? TheWildcats had created a championship aspirations with comebacks and close wins this season.
So when theWildcats overcame a 17-0 deficit to lowly Michigan State with a fourth-quarter field goal and linebacker Paddy Fisher followedwith a interception, the familiar story finally seemed to be forming.
“Guyswere pretty confident,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said.
But on the next play, KyricMcGowan fumbled, and the Spartans recovered and went on to hit a field goal to tie it. “One of those self-inflictedwounds,” Fitzgerald said.
Therewere plenty of those as the game unraveled forNo. 8Northwestern in a 29-20 loss Saturday in East Lansing, Mich.— theWildcats’ defeat of the season.
They committed three of their four turnovers in the fourth quarter, but Northwestern (5-10 never seemed truly in control in this one.
TheWildcats will have to refocus to achieve their goal of winning the Big Ten West and playing in the conference championship game.
“We’re keeping our mindset on an attack perspective,” Fisher said. “Keep our heads up and get back towork. (We’ll) get through this and get over this and back towork. We’re still in the driver’s seat and still in control.”
The loss, in all likelihood, knocked Northwestern out of any chance for a spot in the the College Football Playoff.
Thatwas all cast aside in a frightening moment as wide receiver BerkeleyHolmanwas carted off the field after several minutes prone on the field following a crushing hit from Michigan State’s Shakur Brown. Fitzgerald saidHolman was alert, moving his extremities and talking as hewas taken off the field and to a local hospital for a precautionary examination.
Fitzgerald said he immediately prayed. He andMichigan State coachMel Tucker stood together nearHolman on the field. Players looked on in silent concern, and teammates circled around him on the cart, wishing himwell.
Fitzgerald huddled his team at midfield to let them knowHolmanwas alert and to regroup them before the game
restarted after a long delay.
“Think about him for a moment, and when it’s time to go play football, we have to go play football and lift him up in their spirits,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s tough.”
Aweek ago, Northwestern reached a pinnacle with a 17-7 victory againstWest Division foeWisconsin. Fitzgerald said he thought theWildcatswerewell-prepared and focused for Michigan State (2-3), which had onlywon one game before Saturday.
TheWildcats struggled with turnovers, containing Spartans quarterback Rocky Lombardi and getting their running game going.
Northwestern had turned the ball over only six times this season. The Spartans were almost last in the nation with a minus-9 turnovermargin, giving away 14 this season.
Quarterback Peyton Ramsey threw two picks and no touchdown passes while connecting on 21 of 43 passes for 210 yards. He forced throws that could have resulted in a couple of other interceptions.
“We have tomake plays whenwe have opportunity to make plays,” Ramsey said. “Therewere plenty out there, especially on third down. We have to execute better and that’s what it comes down to.”
Ramsey said theWildcats became one-dimensional after trailing, but the Wildcats in other gameswere able to cover up for an underperforming rushing offense. AgainstMichigan State, the Wildcats rushed for 63 yards on 37 carries.
Spartans quarterback Rocky Lombardi rushed for more yards thanNorthwestern. He carried the ball 10 times for 65
yards against theWildcats’ vaunted defense.
Draws, Northwestern said, have given theWildcats some fits at various points this season.
Lombardi’s third-and-10 run set up Matt Coghlin’s tiebreaking 48-yard field goalwith 3 minutes, 35 seconds left. Lombardi, who has struggled this season to maintain the starting role, finished 11of-27 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
“Credit Rocky, he played his best game all year,” Fitzgerald said.
TheWildcats didn’t look like themselves either with frequent costly turnovers.
“Lastweek, wewon the turnover battle resoundingly and thisweekwas the other way around,” Fitzgerald said.
TheWildcats tried for amiracle on their final play, throwing laterals from deep in their end, but they fumbled, and Michigan State’sKalon Gervin recovered in the end zone for a touchdown as time expired.
Michigan State’s only other victorywas also against a ranked opponent, beating then-No. 13 Michigan in its second game of the season.
“Culture doesn’t change overnight,” Tucker said.
“It just doesn’t. Butwins like today showwhatwe’re capable of.”
Northwestern has to stay focused for this final stretch of an unpredictable season if itwants to make it to the conference championship game.
“It will be essential,” Fitzgerald said. “We have great leadership. We’ve been in a lot of tight games. I think our guys are confident.”