Michigan State came within a blocked kick of upsetting No. 25 Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 17, before falling 24-21 on a 34-yard field goal with 2 seconds left at Spartan Stadium.
For Iowa fans, the story carries a familiar name. First-year Michigan State special teams coach LeVar Woods, the former Hawkeyes linebacker and longtime Iowa assistant, built a kicking game that nearly swung the game for the Spartans, according to Yahoo Sports columnist Graham Couch.
How the Game Unraveled in the Final Minutes
Michigan State led 21-13 in the fourth quarter after quarterback Alessio Milivojevic hit Chrishon McCray on a 53-yard touchdown pass. The Spartans then had a chance to take a late lead, but kicker Liam Boyd's 33-yard field goal attempt with 1:05 remaining was blocked.
Northwestern, led by former Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles, marched down the field and won it on the final play. The loss dropped Michigan State to 2-5, its fifth straight defeat.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who had spent the season coaching aggressively, went conservative on the final drive. Five consecutive running plays set up Boyd's attempt, and Fitzgerald took responsibility for the third-down run call.
That's on me.
Fitzgerald said after the game, according to Couch's column for the Lansing State Journal.
LeVar Woods' Special Teams Kept Michigan State Alive
Woods, whom Michigan State hired away from Iowa, turned the kicking game into the difference maker for most of the afternoon. Couch wrote that luring Woods from Iowa might prove to be Fitzgerald's best move at Michigan State.
The special teams plays stacked up all game. Kenneth Williams returned a kickoff 44 yards to midfield before the Spartans' third possession, setting up their first touchdown. Defensive tackle Eli Coenen blocked a Northwestern field goal attempt late in the first half. McCray added a 41-yard punt return early in the fourth quarter. Redshirt freshman linebacker DeJae White broke up a fake punt pass with 3:29 remaining, giving Michigan State the ball at the Wildcats' 28-yard line.
Two minutes later, Boyd's kick was blocked, and the momentum flipped for good. Sports Illustrated called it a gut-wrenching finish, noting Northwestern quickly carved up Michigan State's short-handed defense in the clutch.
Defense Showed Depth Despite Injuries
Michigan State played shorthanded due to a wave of injuries, but the defense gave Chiles and Northwestern fits for most of the afternoon. Defensive tackle Ben Roberts finished with eight tackles, three for loss and two sacks, and the Spartans recorded five sacks, mostly from a four-man rush.
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, who previously coached Chiles, called a game that seemed to know exactly what bothered his former quarterback. Michigan State held Northwestern's Wing-T offense in check until the final drive, when Chiles delivered his best stretch of the day.
Couch noted the Spartans made Northwestern's offense look like something out of the 1980s after it had been effective against other opponents this season.
What It Means for the Big Ten Picture
Northwestern, ranked No. 25, survived and kept its momentum going. Michigan State, now 2-5, travels to the Rose Bowl next week to face No. 12 UCLA, according to The Only Colors.
Couch wrote that two weeks ago, after a loss at Wisconsin, a 2-5 record was predictable at this point. Michigan State played better than its record Saturday, and if the Spartans continue at that level, wins will come eventually.
For Iowa fans, Woods' impact in East Lansing is a reminder of the coaching talent that developed in Iowa City. It also adds a Big Ten subplot worth watching: a former Hawkeye assistant building one of the league's most competent special teams units, even at a rival program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Michigan State vs. Northwestern game?
Northwestern won 24-21 on a 34-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining on Saturday, Oct. 17, after Michigan State's potential go-ahead 33-yard field goal was blocked.
What is LeVar Woods' connection to Iowa?
Woods is a former Iowa linebacker and longtime Hawkeyes assistant coach. Michigan State hired him as its special teams coordinator this season, and columnist Graham Couch called that hire possibly Pat Fitzgerald's best move.
What is Michigan State's record after the loss?
Michigan State fell to 2-5 with its fifth consecutive loss. The Spartans face No. 12 UCLA at the Rose Bowl next week.