Oct. 23, 2010
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No. 8 Michigan State 35, Northwestern 27
Site: Ryan Field - Evanston, Ill.
Records: Northwestern (5-2, 1-2 Big Ten); Michigan State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten)
Up Next: at Indiana - Saturday, Oct. 30
EVANSTON, Ill. -- For three quarters, Northwestern appeared in prime position to hand eighth-ranked Michigan State its first loss of the season on Homecoming. But three fourth-quarter touchdowns by the Spartans thwarted the Wildcats' upset bid as Michigan State escapes Ryan Field with a 35-27 victory.
Dan Persa accounted for 233 of Northwestern's 385 yards, finishing 18-of-29 with 187 yards in the air while adding 46 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Persa connected with seven different Wildcat receivers on the day, led by Sidney Stewart's 6 receptions for 82 yards. Rashad Lawrence added 67 yards on four receptions as well.
On the ground, Mike Trumpy led Northwestern with 50 yards on 10 carries, followed by Persa's 46. Adonis Smith had 10 rushes for 44 yards as well for the Wildcats.
On a soggy Ryan Field turf, Northwestern took the early advantage as Persa converted on a three-yard scamper with 5:11 remaining in the first quarter, capping a 10-play, 72-yard drive. After holding Michigan State to a three and out, the Wildcats were about to take a commanding 14-0 lead when Jacob Schmidt fumbled at the one-yard line - a turnover which would prove be costly.
But despite the missed opportunity, the Wildcats would extend their lead to 17-0 in the second quarter behind a 37-yard field goal by Stefan Demos and a one-yard rush by Persa with 6:07 remaining in the half. Michigan State would answer with a 7-yard touchdown with 2:49 left on the clock, cutting Northwestern's haltime advantage to 17-7.
On its first possession of the second half, Michigan State made it down field in a hurry, going 48 yards in three plays to pull to within three at 17-14. Persa extended the Wildcat lead back to 10 with a six-yard touchdown run with 2:50 remaining in the third, giving Northwestern the 24-14 cushion.
As the fourth quarter started, Michigan State assumed control, using a fake punt to keep the drive alive before a 13-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Mark Dell trimmed the lead to 24-21 with 13:12 remaining. Demos then connected on a 41-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 27-21 advantage with 9:47 to play.
The Spartans took their first lead of the game with two minutes remaining, putting together an 11-play, 88-yard drive that burned over five minutes off the game clock. Cousins was nearly perfect on the drive, completing seven of eight passes for 98 yards, including a nine-yard pass to B.J. Cunningham for the eventual game-winning score. NU's ensuing drive ended on downs and the Spartans added one late insurance touchdown to preserve the 35-27 victory and remain undefeated on the year.
Northwestern now travels to Bloomington, Ind., for a showdown with the Hoosiers on Saturday, Oct. 30.