Total Yards
Northwestern432
Michigan State540
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Data sourced from NCAA game stats archive (2017)
Game Center
Michigan State at Northwestern
Oct 28, 2017 • Completed
Season 2017RegularWeek 9
Away
Michigan State
Big Ten
Final Score
31 - 39
MSN
Home
Northwestern
Big Ten
Game Pulse
Immediate edge indicators from the box score.
Passing Yards
Northwestern368
Michigan State445
Rushing Yards
Northwestern64
Michigan State95
Turnovers
Northwestern1
Michigan State2
Game Conditions
Temperature41°F
Wind11 mph W
Humidity
65%
Precipitation
0.00 in
Player Game Leaders
Top individual performers and full player box data.
Full Player Box
Box Score Comparison
Northwestern vs Michigan State box score comparison chart
Possession Split
Possession split chart
Northwestern25:01
Michigan State34:59
Stat Dominance
Team comparison across key performance areas
Radar chart comparing team performance across key metrics
Game Story
Northwestern holds off Michigan State 39-31
Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in Week 9 of the 2017 regular slate, finishing with a 432-540 edge in total yards, and scoring 3 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns.
Northwestern set the terms early in a game that finished 39-31. Cody White 6 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick) came with {'seconds': 25, 'minutes': 12} left in the first quarter, giving Michigan State the first major swing.
Northwestern's box score carried the story: 432 total yards, 64 rushing yards, and 368 passing yards. Michigan State finished with 540 total yards, including 95 on the ground and 445 through the air.
Northwestern converted 7-15 on third down, went 1-1 on fourth down, the turnover count was 1-2, Northwestern led 10-10 at halftime. The explosive highlight was Charlie Kuhbander 35 Yd Field Goal.
Key Moments
Passing Touchdown
Cody White 6 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick) (Michigan State led 7-0 over Northwestern).
Rushing Touchdown
Clayton Thorson 1 Yd Run (Charlie Kuhbander Kick) (Northwestern led 7-10 over Michigan State).
Field Goal Good
Charlie Kuhbander 35 Yd Field Goal (Northwestern led 10-10 over Michigan State).
Field Goal Good
Matt Coghlin 46 Yd Field Goal (Michigan State led 10-0 over Northwestern).
Passing Touchdown
Bennett Skowronek 12 Yd pass from Justin Jackson (Charlie Kuhbander Kick) (Northwestern led 17-10 over Michigan State).
Passing Touchdown
Felton Davis III 13 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick) (Michigan State led 17-17 over Northwestern).
Stat Callouts
Final score
39-31
Northwestern defeated Michigan State.
Total yards
432-540
Northwestern held the yardage advantage.
Rushing yards
64
Northwestern averaged 2.3 yards per rush attempt.
Passing yards
368
Northwestern averaged 7.4 yards per pass attempt.
Third downs
7-15
Northwestern's conversion rate helped sustain possessions.
Opponent third downs
8-17
Michigan State's offense worked through that conversion rate.
Turnovers
1-2
Turnover totals are listed winner first.
Analysis
Game Breakdown
| Statistic | Northwestern | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 432 | 540 |
| Passing Yards | 368 | 445 |
| Rushing Yards | 64 | 95 |
| First Downs | 28 | 28 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 7-15 | 8-17 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 1-1 | 2-2 |
| Total Penalties (Yards) | 1-9 | 9-84 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Completions / Attempts | 34-50 | 39-57 |
| Rushing Attempts | 28 | 30 |
| Passing TDs | 3 | 4 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 | 0 |
| Kicking Points | 7 | 7 |
| Possession Time | 25:01 | 34:59 |