No. 25 Northwestern overcomes late failed fake punt, beats Michigan State on last-second field goal

Saturday's game between No. 25 Northwestern and Michigan State came down to the wire.

Wildcats kicker Jackson Kleather nailed a 34-yard field goal with just two seconds left to secure the win.

Northwestern took a risk with its play-calling late in the fourth quarter, and it looked like it would cost them. The Wildcats faced fourth-and-8 on their own 28-yard line with 3:29 left and the score tied 21-21. Northwestern head coach David Braun opted for a fake punt, but the Spartans stopped it.

The Wildcats' defense stepped up. As Michigan State kept the ball on the ground and drained the clock, Northwestern's defense held firm and forced a 37-yard field goal attempt. Northwestern's special teams unit got the block and its offense the ball back. Michigan State had blocked a Northwestern field goal attempt in the second quarter.

Quarterback Aidan Chiles then led a drive to get Northwestern into field goal range. This was a personal game for Chiles, who played for Michigan State for the last two years. He finished 18-of-27 passing for 226 yards in his revenge game. He also had 16 carries for 25 yards and a touchdown.

The Wildcats move to 5-1 and are 2-1 in Big Ten play. Michigan State is now 2-5 and has dropped five straight games.

Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald also had a personal stake in the one. Fitzgerald coached football at Northwestern from 2006 to 2022. He is in his first season at the helm of Michigan State and is still searching for his first conference win.

Northwestern returns home next week to host Rutgers. Michigan State will go on the road to face No. 12 UCLA.