Total Yards
Michigan State475
Northwestern490
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Data sourced from NCAA game stats archive (2016)
Game Center
Northwestern at Michigan State
Oct 15, 2016 • Completed
Season 2016RegularWeek 7
Away
Northwestern
Big Ten
Final Score
54 - 40
NMS
Home
Michigan State
Big Ten
Game Pulse
Immediate edge indicators from the box score.
Passing Yards
Michigan State424
Northwestern281
Rushing Yards
Michigan State51
Northwestern209
Turnovers
Michigan State2
Northwestern1
Game Conditions
Temperature67°F
Wind15 mph SW
Humidity
71%
Precipitation
0.00 in
Player Game Leaders
Top individual performers and full player box data.
Full Player Box
Box Score Comparison
Michigan State vs Northwestern box score comparison chart
Possession Split
Possession split chart
Michigan State24:26
Northwestern35:34
Stat Dominance
Team comparison across key performance areas
Radar chart comparing team performance across key metrics
Game Story
Northwestern beats Michigan State 54-40
Northwestern defeated Michigan State 54-40 in Week 7 of the 2016 regular slate, finishing with a 490-475 edge in total yards, and scoring 3 passing touchdowns and 3 rushing touchdowns.
Northwestern set the terms early in a game that finished 54-40. Brian Lewerke pass complete to Josiah Price for 15 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK) came with {'seconds': 53, 'minutes': 9} left in the first quarter, giving Michigan State the first major swing.
Northwestern's box score carried the story: 490 total yards, 209 rushing yards, and 281 passing yards. Michigan State finished with 475 total yards, including 51 on the ground and 424 through the air.
Northwestern converted 10-19 on third down, went 1-1 on fourth down, the turnover count was 1-2, Northwestern led 19-17 at halftime. The explosive highlight was Clayton Thorson pass complete to Flynn Nagel for 57 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK).
Key Moments
Passing Touchdown
Brian Lewerke pass complete to Josiah Price for 15 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK) (Michigan State led 7-0 over Northwestern).
Rushing Touchdown
Justin Jackson run for 29 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK) (Northwestern led 7-14 over Michigan State).
Interception Return Touchdown
Clayton Thorson pass intercepted for a TD Justin Layne return for 43 yds for a TD, (Michael Geiger KICK) (Northwestern led 0-14 over Michigan State).
Field Goal Good
Jack Mitchell 33 yd FG GOOD (Northwestern led 19-17 over Michigan State).
Passing Touchdown
Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 9 yds for a TD MICHIGAN ST Penalty, offside defense ( Yards) declined, (Jack Mitchell KICK) (Northwestern led 14-17 over Michigan State).
Safety
Joe Gaziano Safety (Michigan State led 17-16 over Northwestern).
Stat Callouts
Final score
54-40
Northwestern defeated Michigan State.
Total yards
490-475
Northwestern held the yardage advantage.
Rushing yards
209
Northwestern averaged 4.1 yards per rush attempt.
Passing yards
281
Northwestern averaged 8 yards per pass attempt.
Third downs
10-19
Northwestern's conversion rate helped sustain possessions.
Opponent third downs
5-16
Michigan State's offense worked through that conversion rate.
Turnovers
1-2
Turnover totals are listed winner first.
Analysis
Game Breakdown
| Statistic | Michigan State | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 475 | 490 |
| Passing Yards | 424 | 281 |
| Rushing Yards | 51 | 209 |
| First Downs | 18 | 26 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 5-16 | 10-19 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| Total Penalties (Yards) | 5-34 | 4-25 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Completions / Attempts | 27-42 | 27-35 |
| Rushing Attempts | 23 | 51 |
| Passing TDs | 4 | 3 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 3 |
| Kicking Points | 10 | 10 |
| Possession Time | 24:26 | 35:34 |