Recap: Michigan State bounces back at Northwestern, 31-10
After a disappointing finish to last week’s game against Arizona State, Michigan State gets a fresh start in its Big Ten opener at Northwestern on Saturday at noon. Follow the action here with live updates throughout the game by Matt Schoch of The Detroit News.
Spartans cap big win
One more stop for the defense to cap it off.
Michigan State moved to 3-1 on the season with a road rout of Northwestern in the Big Ten opener.
The Spartans even got some backup freshmen offensive linemen in the action late, including true freshman Devonte Dobbs of Belleville.
Michigan State has its homecoming game next Saturday at Spartan Stadium against Indiana (3-1).
Michigan State 31, Northwestern 10; final
Wildcats drive for late score
Northwestern is back on the board.
The Wildcats drove 64 yards for a touchdown with the drive culminating in a Drake Anderson 2-yard touchdown run.
Michigan State 31, Northwestern 10; 2:41 4th
Nice bounce back for Lewerke
Michigan State punted it away, but this one is over.
Brian Lewerke's final stat line: 18-of-31 passing, 228 yards and three touchdowns.
A great stepping stone for a quarterback and offense that needed it.
Michigan State 31, Northwestern 3; 5:39 4th
Another INT for Michigan State defense
Aidan Smith and the Wildcats matriculated the ball down the field some.
But then for the second straight possession, Michigan State got another interception, this time from Joe Bachie on a floater.
The Spartans removed Brian Lewerke as quarterback and have put in Rocky Lombardi.
Michigan State 31, Northwestern 3; 8:01 4th
MSU opening the playbook in rout
Defensive end Drew Beasley had an interception after a tip from Josiah Scott.
Michigan State then attempted to throw a WR pass for Cody White. Nothing was there, but White still ran for 15 yards.
Tight end Matt Seybert later stretched out the ball for a 7-yard touchdown reception, his second of the game.
Michigan State 31, Northwestern 3; 12:34 4th
Spartans up 24-3 heading to 4th
Aidan Smith now in at quarterback for Northwestern.
Michigan State 24, Northwestern 3; end 3rd
Lewerke heating up for Spartans, 24-3
Guess what? Another Northwestern three-and-out.
Brian Lewerke is going strong now, completing his first three passes of the drive, including a nice back shoulder throw to Darrell Stewart Jr. for 27 yards.
Matt Coghlin finally made a field goal after missing four straight. His kick from 26 yards i
Michigan State 24, Northwestern 3; 0:03 3rd
MSU offense heating up
The Michigan State defense forced two Hunter Johnson incompletions for another three-and-out, getting the ball back after another Matt Coghlin missed field goal.
The run game for Elijah Collins and the passing game for Brian Lewerke then responded, eventually finding tight end Matt Seybert for an 8-yard TD.
Lewerke faked a handoff on the zone read, evaded a sack and found Seybert for the score, putting the Spartans in complete control.
Michigan State 21, Northwestern 3; 4:41 3rd
Spartans still in control despite FG miss
Michigan State's defense forced a three-and-out (what else is new), and the offense took over near midfield.
The Spartans picked up a fourth-down conversion as Elijah Collins picked it up easily.
However, they stalled in the red zone as the commentators criticized offensive coordinator Brad Salem for throwing the ball on second-and-5.
Then, kicker Matt Coghlin missed his fourth straight field goal, this one from 40 yards out.
Michigan State 14, Northwestern 3; 9:25 3rd
Halftime stats
Michigan State — Rushing: Elijah Collins, 7 carries, 37 yards, TD
Passing: Brian Lewerke, 9-18, 138 yards, TD
Receiving: Cody White, 4 receptions, 70 yards, TD
Northwestern — Rushing: Isaiah Bowser, 10 carries, 35 yards
Passing: Hunter Johnson, 12-20, 7 yards, INT
Receiving: Bowser, 3 receptions, 13 yards
MSU leads 14-3 at halftime
Northwestern takes a knee and goes into the locker room down by two scores.
Michigan State 14, Northwestern 3; halftime
Michigan State goes up two scores
Brian Lewerke found Cody White for an 11-yard touchdown on a double move on third down.
After a nice completion to White and a short first down pickup by Connor Heyward, Lewerke took a sack.
He then found Darrell Stewart on a 21-yard crossing route to set up the score.
Michigan State 14, Northwestern 3; 0:24 2nd
Wildcats get something going, Scott INT
Josiah Scott made a diving interception on the sideline to thwart a Northwestern drive.
Michigan State takes over at the 38.
Previously, Wildcats quarterback Hunter Johnson found Riley Lees for a couple passes, and Northwestern also found success running the ball with the sophomore quarterback.
Malik Washington then picked up a first down over midfield on a nice throw from Johnson.
Before that, another Michigan State drive stalled, as Brian Lewerke throws three incomplete passes on a three-and-out.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 3; 1:35 2nd
Wildcats punt, White nearly fumbles
Cody White inexplicably tried to catch a line drive punt in traffic, but held on to it as Michigan State takes over after another defensive stop.
Isaiah Bowser broke tackles for a 21-yard run to give Northwestern its best run play of the game.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 3; 6:17 2nd
Teams trade punts as offenses stall
Nothing notable from Northwestern and Michigan State drives as the teams combine for 2 yards on dueling 3-and-outs.
Northwestern has the ball on its 16 yard-line after a booming Jake Hartbarger punt with the wind at his back.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 3; 8:06 2nd
Heyward's struggles continue for MSU
A personal foul on Connor Heyward helped stall an MSU drive. He missed the key fourth-and-1 run in last week's loss vs. Arizona State.
Darrell Stewart made a nice kickoff return to the 42-yard line to start the drive.
Northwestern has the ball after a touchback on the punt.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 3; 11:52 2nd
Northwestern on the board in 2nd
Wildcats kicker Charlie Kuhbander played the hook into the wind, floating in a 39-yard field goal.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 3; 14:13 2nd
Wildcats moving the ball
Northwestern converted a third-and-9 pass from Hunter Johnson, and then another one on third-and-3.
Then, on third-and-12, the Wildcats converted on a pass interference call on Josh Butler to take it into the red zone as the first quarter ended.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0; end 1st
Offense can't capitalize after goal line stand
More offensive line issues.
After a couple nice Elijah Collins runs, a false start and a sack helped derail another Michigan State drive, and the Spartans punted past midfield in the wind.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0; 2:56, 1st
MSU defense makes goal line stand
Cody White's fumble did not result in points for Northwestern.
Isaiah Bowser ran inside the 1 and the replay upheld the decision that he was stopped short. Joe Bachie then stopped Bowser on first down and he was bottled up again on second. After another stop on third down, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald went for it on fourth, and MSU defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk made the play on fourth down.
Hunter Johnson picked up a third down conversion with a scramble on the drive. Cornerback Josiah Scott aided the Northwestern drive with a pass interference penalty.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0; 5:59, 1st
White fumble gives Northwestern ball back
Joe Bachie had a sack on Northwestern's first play from scrimmage, forcing a three-and-out.
Cody White then fumbles the punt, giving the Wildcats the ball on the MSU 27.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0; 9:51, 1st
Lewerke starts hot, Collins scores
Brian Lewerke hit his first two throws to Cody White, but then was almost intercepted on his third pass.
He then his tight end Matt Seybert into the red zone, and then snuck for a first down. Lewerke ran for another first down to the 5.
From there, Elijah Collins kept the feet moving for a 5-yard touchdown.
Michigan State 7, Northwestern 0; 11:42, 1st
New LT for Spartans
Tyler Higby gets the start at left tackle for the Spartans, replacing the injured Kevin Jarvis.
Still no Chewins, Arcuri
According to Matt Charboneau on the scene, the Spartans will again be without two of its key offensive linemen, Cole Chewins and AJ Arcuri, in addition to cornerback Shakur Brown.
MICHIGAN STATE AT NORTHWESTERN
Kickoff: Noon Saturday, Ryan Field, Evanston, Ill.
TV/radio: ABC/760
Records: Michigan State 2-1, Northwestern 1-1
Line: Michigan State by 9.5
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