Sports
Kleather’s last-second kick lifts Northwestern past Michigan State, 24-21
Jackson Kleather’s 34-yard field goal with two seconds left completed No. 25 Northwestern’s comeback in East Lansing. A blocked Michigan State field-goal attempt set up the Wildcats’ winning drive.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Jackson Kleather made a 34-yard field goal with two seconds remaining Saturday, giving No. 25 Northwestern a 24-21 win over Michigan State after the Wildcats rallied from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles tied the game at 21 with a 1-yard touchdown run with 7:24 left, then threw to Alex Honig for the two-point conversion. The Spartans had a chance to regain the lead, but Matthew Smith blocked Liam Boyd’s 33-yard field-goal attempt. Chiles then directed an eight-play, 64-yard drive to set up Kleather’s winner.
Kleather made three field goals in the game. Northwestern improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, while Michigan State fell to 2-5 and 0-4 in conference play.
Chiles completed 18 of 27 passes for 226 yards and carried 16 times for 25 yards. He transferred to Northwestern after starting 20 games for Michigan State over the previous two seasons.
“Never a doubt,” Chiles said. “We knew we were going to win this game. We just didn’t know how.” He said Northwestern should have started faster but was pleased the team finished the game.
Michigan State led 21-13 early in the fourth quarter after Alessio Milivojevic threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Chrishon McCray. Milivojevic finished with 216 passing yards and two touchdowns, completing 19 of 30 attempts.
The Spartans had also taken a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter on Milivojevic’s 3-yard touchdown run. Northwestern moved ahead 10-7 early in the second when Caleb Komolafe scored on a 10-yard run. Kleather’s 41-yard field-goal attempt later in the half was blocked by Eli Coenen.
Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald faced Northwestern for the first time since the university fired him four years ago amid a hazing scandal. Fitzgerald said after Saturday’s game that his focus was on the players and the Spartans’ next opponent. Michigan State lost to Illinois in overtime the previous week, 38-37, after failing to convert a two-point try.
Despite injuries that sidelined its top three inside linebackers and top three cornerbacks, Michigan State recorded five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The Spartans had gone without a sack in their previous three games.
Northwestern hosts Rutgers on Oct. 24. Michigan State visits UCLA the same day.