Michigan State University
2-3 , 2-3
Northwestern
5-1 , 5-1
Spartans Take Down No. 8 Northwestern, 29-20
11/28/2020 8:55:00 PM | Football
Michigan State was ready.
Matt Coghlin made a tiebreaking 48-yard field goal with 3:35 left, and the Spartans handed Northwestern (No. 11 AP/No. 13 Coaches) its first loss of the season with a 29-20 victory Saturday.
The Wildcats (5-1, 5-1) were coming off a 17-7 victory over Wisconsin that moved them into contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff. That prospect likely was dashed with the loss to the Spartans, but they remain in control of the Big Ten West.
The Spartans (2-3, 2-3) lost a 17-0 lead, but went back ahead by forcing three turnovers in the fourth quarter and making the most of two big kicks by Coghlin.
"We needed this win as a team," said Rocky Lombardi, who got the Spartans off to a fast start with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor. "It's good to get out there and beat a really good team like Northwestern because it's just the kind of confidence boost we needed.
"We know we're a good team and we know we can beat good teams, but it's kind of hard to believe yourself until you do it."
It was the second win for first-year coach Mel Tucker after the Spartans beat Michigan on Oct. 31.
"Culture doesn't change overnight — it just doesn't," Tucker said. "But wins like today show what we're capable of."
Northwestern grabbed a 20-17 lead on Cam Porter's 3-yard run early in the fourth.
The Spartans rallied on Coghlin's 44-yard field goal after forcing a turnover one snap following Lombardi's interception.
Northwestern turned the ball over again, and receiver Berkeley Holman was carted off the field following the play.
Shakur Brown broke on Peyton Ramsey's pass for his second interception and made contact with Holman, who lay motionless on the field while the school's medical staff evaluated him.
Holman was carefully strapped to a backboard and lifted onto a cart. After Holman's teammates surrounded him to offer support, he lifted his left arm and extended his thumb.
Holman was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He was talking, alert and moving.
The Wildcats punted on their next possession, facing a fourth-and-10 from their 22, with a few minutes left.
Lombardi converted a third-and-8 from his 38 with a run after Northwestern called a timeout, taking time off the clock until punting from midfield with 32 seconds left.
The Wildcats ended the game by throwing laterals from deep in their end, trying to extend the play as time expired, only to have the Spartans recover the ball in the end zone for a touchdown at a fan-free game.
Team Stats
NU 0, MSU 7
MSU - Nailor, Jalen 75 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) 2 plays, 81 yards, TOP 0:41
NU 0, MSU 10
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 22 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 1:18
NU 0, MSU 17
MSU - Reed, Jayden 15 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) 13 plays, 85 yards, TOP 5:44
NU 3, MSU 17
NU - Kuhbander,C 42 yd field goal 13 plays, 51 yards, TOP 3:53
NU 6, MSU 17
NU - Kuhbander,C 32 yd field goal 9 plays, 42 yards, TOP 1:45
NU 13, MSU 17
NU - Ramsey,Peyton 1 yd run (Kuhbander,C kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:21
NU 20, MSU 17
NU - Porter,Cam 3 yd run (Kuhbander,C kick), 8 plays, 37 yards, TOP 3:34
NU 20, MSU 20
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 44 yd field goal 7 plays, 27 yards, TOP 3:04
NU 20, MSU 23
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 48 yd field goal 7 plays, 19 yards, TOP 2:47
NU 20, MSU 29
MSU - Gervin, Kalon 0 yd fumble recovery ()
