Total Yards
Michigan State362
Northwestern294
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Data sourced from NCAA game stats archive (2020)
Game Center
Northwestern at Michigan State
Nov 28, 2020 • Completed
Season 2020RegularWeek 13
Away
Northwestern
Big Ten
Final Score
20 - 29
NMS
Home
Michigan State
Big Ten
Game Pulse
Immediate edge indicators from the box score.
Passing Yards
Michigan State167
Northwestern231
Rushing Yards
Michigan State195
Northwestern63
Turnovers
Michigan State1
Northwestern3
Game Conditions
Temperature46°F
Wind10 mph SW
Humidity
46%
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 State32:33
Northwestern27:22
Stat Dominance
Team comparison across key performance areas
Radar chart comparing team performance across key metrics
Game Story
Michigan State holds off Northwestern 29-20
Michigan State defeated Northwestern 29-20 in Week 13 of the 2020 regular slate, finishing with a 362-294 edge in total yards, and scoring 2 passing touchdowns and 0 rushing touchdowns.
Michigan State set the terms early in a game that finished 29-20. Matt Coghlin 22 Yd Field Goal came with {'seconds': 6, 'minutes': 7} left in the first quarter, giving Michigan State the first major swing.
Michigan State's box score carried the story: 362 total yards, 195 rushing yards, and 167 passing yards. Northwestern finished with 294 total yards, including 63 on the ground and 231 through the air.
Michigan State converted 10-21 on third down, went 0-0 on fourth down, the turnover count was 1-3, Michigan State led 17-6 at halftime. The explosive highlight was Jalen Nailor 75 Yd pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin Kick).
Key Moments
Field Goal Good
Matt Coghlin 22 Yd Field Goal (Michigan State led 10-0 over Northwestern).
Passing Touchdown
Jalen Nailor 75 Yd pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin Kick) (Michigan State led 7-0 over Northwestern).
Passing Touchdown
Jayden Reed 15 Yd pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin Kick) (Michigan State led 17-0 over Northwestern).
Field Goal Good
Charlie Kuhbander 32 Yd Field Goal (Northwestern led 6-17 over Michigan State).
Field Goal Good
Charlie Kuhbander 42 Yd Field Goal (Northwestern led 3-17 over Michigan State).
Rushing Touchdown
Peyton Ramsey 1 Yd Run (Charlie Kuhbander Kick) (Northwestern led 13-17 over Michigan State).
Stat Callouts
Final score
29-20
Michigan State defeated Northwestern.
Total yards
362-294
Michigan State held the yardage advantage.
Rushing yards
195
Michigan State averaged 4.1 yards per rush attempt.
Passing yards
167
Michigan State averaged 6.2 yards per pass attempt.
Third downs
10-21
Michigan State's conversion rate helped sustain possessions.
Opponent third downs
5-17
Northwestern's offense worked through that conversion rate.
Turnovers
1-3
Turnover totals are listed winner first.
Analysis
Game Breakdown
| Statistic | Michigan State | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 362 | 294 |
| Passing Yards | 167 | 231 |
| Rushing Yards | 195 | 63 |
| First Downs | 17 | 18 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 10-21 | 5-17 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 0-0 | 2-4 |
| Total Penalties (Yards) | 5-50 | 3-20 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Completions / Attempts | 11-27 | 21-43 |
| Rushing Attempts | 47 | 37 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 0 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 2 |
| Kicking Points | 11 | 8 |
| Possession Time | 32:33 | 27:22 |