Full Breakdown
Northwestern Stages Late Comeback to Defeat Michigan State
By Drooid · · How we work
Game Summary
Northwestern (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) rallied from an 8-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Michigan State (2-5, 0-4) 24-21. After the Spartans extended their lead to 21-13 with a 53-yard touchdown pass, quarterback Aidan Chiles answered with a 1-yard rushing TD and a two-point conversion to knot the game. With 1:00 left, Michigan State’s 33-yard field-goal attempt by Liam Boyd was blocked. Northwestern then executed an eight-play, 64-yard drive, culminating in Jackson Kleather’s 34-yard field goal with two seconds remaining.
Background & Context
Pat Fitzgerald, a former Northwestern All-America linebacker and head coach for 17 seasons, was hired by Michigan State in 2024. He was dismissed by Northwestern in July 2023 amid a hazing investigation and later settled a lawsuit with the university. The October matchup marked Fitzgerald’s first appearance against his alma mater since that departure. David Braun, who succeeded Fitzgerald as Northwestern’s interim and then permanent head coach, faced his former boss in his first Big Ten road contest. Northwestern entered the game ranked No. 25, its first appearance in the AP Top 25 since 2022.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Northwestern 24, Michigan State 21.
- Team records after the game: Northwestern 5-1, Michigan State 2-5.
- Passing: Chiles 18-27 for 226 yards; Milivojevic 19-30 for 216 yards, two TDs.
- Rushing: Northwestern’s Caleb Komolafe 15 carries for 94 yards; Michigan State’s Jaziun Patterson 15 carries for 72 yards.
- Sacks: Michigan State recorded five sacks (tied for 14th-fewest in FBS); Northwestern’s offensive line allowed five sacks on Chiles.
- Special teams: Boyd’s 33-yard FG blocked; Kleather’s 34-yard FG made; earlier Kleather 41-yard attempt blocked.
- Turnovers: No turnovers recorded by either side.
Official Statements & Responses
Chiles expressed confidence in the outcome, noting there was “never a doubt” that Northwestern would prevail once they executed the final drive.
On-the-Ground Reports
The decisive block came from senior defensive lineman Brendan Flakes, who described an instinctive feeling that guided his hand to the ball. The crowd’s chant of “F-you, Aidan Chiles” added a charged atmosphere, which Chiles admitted he “popped into” during the final moments. The blocked kick shifted momentum, allowing the Wildcats to mount the 64-yard drive that set up the winning field goal.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Obviously, in hindsight, it was a horrible decision,” — David Braun, coach
- “It showed just the composure and the maturity of this group, not riding too high of a high or too low of a low,” — David Braun, coach
- “I’m not going to lie, I was popping into the crowd a little bit,” — Quarterback Aidan Chiles
- “I just had a feeling in my body I was going to get the play,” — Brendan Flakes
- “It was just never a doubt,” — Quarterback Aidan Chiles
- “Two weeks in a row now that we’ve ended up on the short end of games that we’ve got to coach better to get over the hump to win those games,” — Pat Fitzgerald, against former coach
What’s Next
Northwestern will host Rutgers on Saturday, while Michigan State travels to face UCLA the same weekend. Both programs look to build on the outcomes as the Big Ten season progresses.