This one is going to stick in the minds of Michigan State football fans for a while. In a game where the Spartans were severely short-handed against a ranked opponent and Pat Fitzgerald's former team, MSU lost to No. 25 Northwestern in dramatic fashion, 24-21, to fall to 2-5 on the season.
Most of the conversation around this game will be about MSU's decision-making in the final minutes. After successfully stopping the Wildcats from converting a fake punt on fourth down, MSU had the ball deep in their own territory. After securing a first down, the Spartans opted to take the ultra-conservative route and run the ball three times and attempt a field goal. Unfortunately, that field goal was blocked, and Northwestern quickly stormed back down the field, led by former MSU quarterback Aidan Chiles, and knocked in a game-winning field goal.
Obviously, hindsight is 20-20, but even before the field goal was blocked, I was texting our staff writers that I hated the decision not to take at least one shot into the end zone instead of running the ball three times. Even if they made the field goal, they were leaving plenty of time on the clock for Northwestern to tie or take the lead. It was a conservative move for a coaching staff that is known for being aggressive.
It's a bummer, because Michigan State played an impressive game and was in control against a strong team for nearly the entire contest. Like the Illinois loss, it will be another frustrating what-if when looking back on the season.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: No. 25 Northwestern blocks Michigan State football's upset attempt