Michigan State lost 39-31 to Northwestern in triple overtime.
EVANSTON, Ill. — Through the first four games of Big Ten play, Michigan State had four wins.
The Spartans’ average margin of victory in conference play, however, was just 5.5 points per game as they continued to walk a fine line every week. Living on the edge finally caught up with them in a 39-31 triple-overtime at Northwestern on Saturday.
«We didn’t find the inches today,» Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. «At times we did, but to win the football game we didn’t find the inches.»
Northwestern tops Michigan State in triple overtime
As No. 16 Michigan State (6-2,4-1 Big Ten) had its four-game winning streak come to an end at Northwestern (5-3,3-2), purple-clad fans streamed onto grass at Ryan Field. The Spartans were left wondering what could have been after missed opportunities.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Brian Lewerke finished 39-for-57 passing for a program-record 445 yards to go with four touchdowns. He also threw a game-ending interception in the third overtime and missed throws, including a pair in the third quarter to wide-open receivers that could have been touchdowns.
«I think that’s probably the game right there,» Lewerke said of the missed deep shots. «I think I missed at least two posts and had a fade route near the end where I couldn’t hit that one. I obviously need to hit those plays.»
In last week’s 17-9 win against Indiana, Michigan State was limited to just three points through 3 1/2 quarters before a pair of late touchdowns. The Spartans picked up where they left off on the first drive against Northwestern with play-action calls and Lewerke throwing it around. He found freshman Cody White for a season-long 60-yard completion deep down the middle, leading to a 6-yard touchdown hookup between the two three plays later.
Overheard outside the Michigan State locker room: Missing inches and outstanding play calling
Michigan State forced a fumble on Northwestern’s first drive, mounted a rapid response and looked poised to take a two-touchdown lead, but White fumbled at the Wildcats’ 7-yard line. Dantonio called that a lost opportunity and they continued as Michigan State’s 10-0 lead in the second quarter was followed by 17 straight points by Northwestern. Cornerback Josiah Scott also had a chance at an interception in the second quarter that he couldn’t haul in and Northwestern scored its first touchdown later on that drive.
After being outgained 134-18 in the second quarter, Michigan State came out throwing in the third but Lewerke missed those deep shots over the top — the first Darrell Stewart Jr. and the second to Felton Davis — on a drive that resulted in a 51-yard field goal attempt by Matt Coghlin. The redshirt freshman banged it off the right upright — the first of two misses that occurred the same way, to go with one from 32 yards out in the fourth quarter, as he finished 1-for-3.
«We left a lot of plays out there on the field,» Davis said. «That’s what we don’t want to do as an offense. So, we’ll just get back to practice and tweak those, get better at those deep balls so we can put them on the money and we can keep wide receivers standing and score those points on those.»
Lewerke made plays late and threw for 181 yards in the fourth quarter alone as Michigan State forced overtime on his 13-yard touchdown pass to Davis with 25 seconds left. Lewerke opened overtime with touchdown passes to Davis and White, but made an ill-advised throw in the third extra session.
After having the ball stripped from him, Lewerke recovered his own fumble, flushed to his left and threw into the end zone to tight end Matt Sokol, who was double-covered. Nate Hall stepped in front of the pass for the game-ending interception.
«I saw Sokol running on the right side, it looked like he had a couple steps on a guy and it just takes a little bit bigger of an arm to make that throw,» Lewerke said. «Obviously, I probably shouldn’t throw it in that situation.»
Michigan State talking points: Lewerke’s heroics and those darn uprights
Dantonio cited the missed opportunities Michigan State had, but said he was proud of his team’s effort in the game. That came after plane issues in Lansing forced the Spartans to travel to Illinois by bus on Friday and they didn’t arrive until that evening.
«Our football team played with conviction, they played with energy, they played with emotion, they played with intensity, they never stopped playing the entire time,» Dantonio said. «That’s all I can ever ask out of our football team. If there’s some execution (errors), if there’s some plays left out on the field from a structure standpoint, coaching wise… that’s always going to happen. As long we do our very, very best and come to play and prepare, I can handle it.»
Michigan State entered the game tied with Penn State and Ohio State for first place in the Big Ten East Division and will host the Nittany Lions next week before traveling to Columbus the week after. No. 6 Ohio State beat No. 2 Penn State 39-38 on Saturday to take over sole possession of first place. The Spartans still have a chance to win the division, but there’s almost no margin for error left.
«The road just gets a little tougher, obviously,» Lewerke said. «We just got to focus up a little more as the season goes on.»
