EAST LANSING – Michigan State football lost to No. 25 Northwestern at Spartan Stadium, 24-21, in Week 7 on Saturday, Oct. 17.
It was MSU's best game of the year, but the Spartans totally choked late when they had a 33-yard field goal blocked with a minute left that would've gave them the lead. Aidan Chiles punished them with a game-winning drive.
The Spartans took a 21-13 lead in the third quarter before Chiles and Northwestern punched back with a touchdown of their own and a 2-point conversion to tie it. MSU then went three-and-out, but the defense came up huge and forced a punt, only for Northwestern to call for a fake that LeVar Woods' special teams unit looked ready for and stuffed.
MSU got the ball in amazing field position, but ran the ball nine straight times and settled for a field goal to take a lead that was blocked.
THE PLAY-BY-PLAY: Michigan State vs Northwestern live updates, Week 7 game score, highlights
It was clear from the start the Spartans were playing with a newfound juice and energy that they seemed to first tap into during the second half against Illinois the week prior. Despite picking up first downs on their first two plays, the Spartans ultimately turned it over on downs on their first drive, then Alessio Milivojevic was stripped sacked, setting the Wildcats up with great field position.
Just like the first possession, the MSU defense showed some teeth, forcing a field goal and giving the offense some momentum. After a great kick return, the Spartans put together a methodical 12-play drive to take a 7-3 lead. Northwestern scored on its next drive, MSU turned it over on downs after that, but the defense made another key stop and the special teams unit came up huge again, blocking the Northwestern kick. The Spartans once again capitalized on the momentum, going nine plays to score a touchdown and take a 14-10 lead, which they took into halftime. MSU outgained Northwestern, 184-110, in the first half.
This story will be updated.
Contact Chris Solari:csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pat Fitzgerald loses revenge game as MSU chokes late vs Northwestern