Thorson leads Northwestern past No. 20 Michigan State 29-19
Clayton Thorson threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, and Northwestern recovered from another second-half slip, beating No. 20 Michigan State 29-19 on Saturday.
NCAA - Football
FINAL
Northwestern Wildcats
29
Michigan State Spartans
19
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NW | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 29 |
| MSU | 3 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 19 |
Spartan Stadium · 72,850 att.
Match Report
Last five matches
| Date | Opp | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/7/26 | vs Iowa Hawkeyes | L 10-24 | NCAAF |
| 10/31/26 | @ Oregon Ducks | L 26-34 | NCAAF |
| 10/24/26 | vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights | W 42-14 | NCAAF |
| 10/17/26 | @ Michigan State Spartans | W 24-21 | NCAAF |
| 10/10/26 | vs Ball State Cardinals | W 45-14 | NCAAF |
| Full Schedule | |||
Play by Play
-
Touchdown 2:51 29-19
Clayton Thorson 2 Yd Run (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)
-
Touchdown 0:15 22-19
Cameron Green 21 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Clayton Thorson Pass to Solomon Vault for Two-Point Conversion)
-
Touchdown 4:08 14-19
Felton Davis III 3 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick)
-
Touchdown 7:18 14-12
Felton Davis III 48 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed)
-
Field Goal 2:50 14-6
Matt Coghlin 25 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 13:58 14-3
JJ Jefferson 34 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)
-
Touchdown 0:18 7-3
Kyric McGowan 77 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)
-
Field Goal 0:59 0-3
Matt Coghlin 27 Yd Field Goal
-
NW
1 play, -1 yard, 0:25 · End of Game
-
MSU 0:25
10 plays, 74 yards, 2:26 · Downs
-
NW 2:51
3 plays, 11 yards, 0:18 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 2:51 29-19
Clayton Thorson 2 Yd Run (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)
-
MSU 3:09
4 plays, 9 yards, 0:50 · Downs
-
NW 3:59
3 plays, 2 yards, 0:25 · Punt
-
MSU 4:24
3 plays, -15 yards, 2:17 · Punt
-
NW 6:41
13 plays, 68 yards, 5:27 · Missed FG
-
MSU 12:08
5 plays, 17 yards, 3:07 · Punt
-
NW 0:15
9 plays, 75 yards, 3:53 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 0:15 22-19
Cameron Green 21 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Clayton Thorson Pass to Solomon Vault for Two-Point Conversion)
-
MSU 4:08
6 plays, 33 yards, 2:31 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 4:08 14-19
Felton Davis III 3 Yd pass from Brian Lewerke (Matt Coghlin Kick)
-
NW 6:39
2 plays, -2 yards, 0:33 · Interception
-
MSU 7:18
4 plays, 80 yards, 1:21 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 7:18 14-12
Felton Davis III 48 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed)
-
NW 8:39
8 plays, 39 yards, 3:04 · Punt
-
MSU 11:43
5 plays, 33 yards, 3:17 · Punt
-
NW
2 plays, -13 yards, 1:07 · End of Half
-
MSU 1:07
6 plays, 39 yards, 1:03 · Interception
-
NW 2:10
3 plays, 5 yards, 0:40 · Punt
-
MSU 2:50
10 plays, 60 yards, 4:19 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 2:50 14-6
Matt Coghlin 25 Yd Field Goal
-
NW 7:09
4 plays, 8 yards, 2:35 · Punt
-
MSU 9:44
6 plays, 21 yards, 4:08 · Punt
-
NW 13:58
2 plays, 51 yards, 0:39 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 13:58 14-3
JJ Jefferson 34 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)
-
MSU 14:37
3 plays, 2 yards, 0:36 · Punt
-
NW 0:18
2 plays, 75 yards, 0:41 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 0:18 7-3
Kyric McGowan 77 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Charlie Kuhbander Kick)
-
MSU 0:59
9 plays, 30 yards, 4:32 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 0:59 0-3
Matt Coghlin 27 Yd Field Goal
-
NW 5:31
5 plays, 34 yards, 2:03 · Interception
-
MSU 7:34
3 plays, 9 yards, 1:35 · Punt
-
NW 9:09
8 plays, 35 yards, 3:31 · Punt
-
MSU 12:40
4 plays, 24 yards, 1:28 · Punt
-
NW 14:08
3 plays, -1 yard, 0:52 · Punt
Showing the last 37 of 37 events.
Team Stats
NW
MSU
19
1st Downs
22
5-14
3rd down efficiency
4-15
1-1
4th down efficiency
0-2
381
Total Yards
425
373
Passing
329
31/47
Comp/Att
31/52
7.9
Yards per pass
6.3
8
Rushing
96
20
Rushing Attempts
24
0.4
Yards per rush
4.0
3-35
Penalties
5-49
2
Turnovers
1
0
Fumbles lost
0
2
Interceptions thrown
1
26:19
Possession
33:41
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