Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern
vs 
Michigan State SpartansMichigan State
Spartan Stadium
Live scoreboard
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | - | - | - | - | 0 |
| Michigan State | - | - | - | - | 0 |
Scoring by quarter
Average points per quarter, 2026 season
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | 6.0 | 7.8 | 8.8 | 10.5 | 33.1 |
| Michigan State | 4.0 | 7.2 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 18.2 |
| Northwestern | Qtr | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | Q1 | 4.0 |
| 7.8 | Q2 | 7.2 |
| 8.8 | Q3 | 3.4 |
| 10.5 | Q4 | 3.6 |
| 33.1 | Game | 18.2 |
Live play by play
Scoring plays: this game · Updating as the game goes.
Touchdown Interception Fumble Sack Penalty
Rivalry highlights
Series record
19-41
Northwestern first, 60 meetings since 1905
Series leader
Michigan State
Michigan State lead 19-41 in 60 meetings since 1905
Widest recent margin
21 points
Michigan State 31-10 Northwestern, 2019
Tightest recent margin
8 points
Michigan State 31-39 Northwestern, 2017
Highest recent total
94 points
Northwestern 54-40 Michigan State, 2016
Key players by position
| Northwestern | Pos | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
 Aidan Chiles | QB | Alessio Milivojevic |
 Caleb Komolafe | RB | Cam Edwards |
 Griffin Wilde | WR | Rodney Bullard Jr. |
 Luke Dehnicke | TE | Jayden Savoury |
 Brendan Flakes | DL | Eli Coenen |
 Kobie McKinzie | LB | Dion Crawford |
 Robert Fitzgerald | DB | Devin Vaught |
Each side's leader at the position this season, by real production. Full rosters live on each team hub.
Head to head
Full rivalry page Northwestern 19 60 meetings since 1905 41 Michigan State
Michigan State lead 19-41 in 60 meetings since 1905 Series leader: Michigan State.
Team stats, this game
NorthwesternMichigan StateTeam stats, 2026 season
NorthwesternMichigan State 33.07th Points per game 18th18.2
16.88th Points allowed 12th23.2
437.87th Total yards per game 18th305.6
6.95th Yards per play 18th4.5
212.84th Rush yards per game 15th123.6
225.014th Pass yards per game 17th182.0
21.510th First downs per game 12th20.4
41.3%10th Third-down rate 13th40.0%
+54th Turnover margin 16th-4
77th Takeaways 17th2
615th Sacks 12th7
812th Sacks allowed 18th17
64.012th Penalty yards per game 3rd34.0
31:0110th Time of possession 7th31:41
Rank within each team's conference. 2026 season totals to date from CollegeFootballData.
Win probability
--10050100
1st2nd3rd4th
Current drive Game leaders
NU MSU Box score
Northwestern: last 15 games
9-6 in the last 15 · 26.1 scored · 19.7 allowed
LOST 14-34 scored 14 · allowed 34 See game WON 17-14 scored 17 · allowed 14 See game WON 42-7 scored 42 · allowed 7 See game WON 22-21 scored 22 · allowed 21 See game WON 19-0 scored 19 · allowed 0 See game LOST 21-28 scored 21 · allowed 28 See game LOST 17-38 scored 17 · allowed 38 See game LOST 22-24 scored 22 · allowed 24 See game WON 38-35 scored 38 · allowed 35 See game LOST 13-20 scored 13 · allowed 20 See game WON 34-7 scored 34 · allowed 7 See game WON 34-18 scored 34 · allowed 18 See game WON 41-7 scored 41 · allowed 7 See game LOST 23-29 scored 23 · allowed 29 See game WON 34-13 scored 34 · allowed 13 See game
Michigan State: last 15 games
4-11 in the last 15 · 21.4 scored · 28.6 allowed
WON 41-24 scored 41 · allowed 24 See game LOST 31-45 scored 31 · allowed 45 See game LOST 27-38 scored 27 · allowed 38 See game LOST 13-38 scored 13 · allowed 38 See game LOST 13-38 scored 13 · allowed 38 See game LOST 20-31 scored 20 · allowed 31 See game LOST 20-23 scored 20 · allowed 23 See game LOST 10-28 scored 10 · allowed 28 See game LOST 17-20 scored 17 · allowed 20 See game WON 38-28 scored 38 · allowed 28 See game WON 30-20 scored 30 · allowed 20 See game WON 35-7 scored 35 · allowed 7 See game LOST 10-27 scored 10 · allowed 27 See game LOST 13-31 scored 13 · allowed 31 See game LOST 3-31 scored 3 · allowed 31 See game
The matchup
| Northwestern | Split | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1 | 2026 record | 2-3 |
| 1-1 | Conference | 0-2 |
| 132 | Points for | 91 |
| 67 | Points against | 116 |
| W1 | Form | L3 |
Recent meetings
2021
Michigan State 38 : 21 Northwestern
38 : 21 Northwestern 2020
Northwestern 20 : 29 Michigan State
20 : 29 Michigan State 2019
Michigan State 31 : 10 Northwestern
31 : 10 Northwestern 2018
Northwestern 29 : 19 Michigan State
29 : 19 Michigan State 2017
Michigan State 31 : 39 Northwestern
31 : 39 Northwestern 2016
Northwestern 54 : 40 Michigan State
54 : 40 Michigan State How to watch
TVNot announced yet
Make your pick
vs
Northwestern · QB Aidan Chiles Pass yards
900
Pass TD
6
Comp-Att
63-89
INT
0
Komolafe rush
290 yds
Wilde rec
281 yds
Michigan State · QB Alessio Milivojevic Pass yards
851
Pass TD
3
Comp-Att
80-129
INT
3
Edwards rush
304 yds
Jr. rec
206 yds
0 Aidan Chiles QB 2 
Ryan Boe QB 4 
Nicco Marchiol QB 9 
Johnny O'Brien QB 11 
Aidan Gray QB 13 
Gavin Frakes QB 15 
Sean Winton QB 5 Caleb Komolafe RB 6 
Joseph Himon II RB 7 
Mar'Kel Porter RB 12 
Marcus Romain RB 22 
Daniel Anderson RB 27 
Gavin Sawchuk RB 36 
Sean Morris II RB 3 
Frank Covey IV WR 8 
Hayden Eligon II WR 10 
Ricky Ahumaraeze WR 11 
Keaton Reinke WR 14 
Dube Enongene WR 16 
Brennan Saxe WR 17 Griffin Wilde WR 18 
Camp Magee WR 19 
Drew Wagner WR 20 
Chase Farrell WR 80 
Braden Blueitt WR 82 
Jaden McDuffie WR 87 
Carson Grove WR 89 
Cam Russell WR 41 
Robby Preckel TE 43 
Noah LaPorte TE 48 
Tyler Kielmeyer TE 81 
Chris Petrucci TE 83 
Blake Van Buren TE 84 Luke Dehnicke TE 85 
Tom McGlinchey TE 86 
Alex Honig TE 50 
Owen Fors OL 52 
Angelo De Sensi OL 60 
Hayden Flavin OL 61 
David Anchondo OL 62 
Ezomo Oratokhai OL 64 
Anthony Birsa OL 65 
Jackson Carsello OL 66 
Owen Jakubczak OL 67 
Jace Borcherding OL 68 
Quinn Wicklow OL 69 
Patrick Schaller OL 70 
Leighton Burbach OL 71 
Dennis Rahouski OL 72 
Jack Fuchs OL 73 
Deuce McGuire OL 74 
Grant Seagren OL 75 
Arkel Anugwom OL 76 
Michael O'Connell OL 77 
Idrys Cotton OL 78 
Trey Boyd OL 79 
Jacob Miller OL 5 
Dominic Kirks DL 15 Brendan Flakes DL 24 
Jamaal Johnson DL 44 
Callen Campbell DL 47 
Michael Kilbane DL 52 
Calvin Lorek DL 53 
Tanner Jumpp DL 54 
Tyler Gant DL 55 
Dylan Roberts DL 56 
Tre Hoskins DL 57 
Nick Costa DL 58 
Ronald Derrick III DL 63 
Nick Zalewski DL 88 
Migo Jackson DL 90 
Jack Trautmann DL 91 
Caden O'Rourke DL 92 
Mason Green DL 93 
Glory Stephen-Wangboje DL 94 
Gage LaDere DL 95 
Mason Mayne DL 96 
Jonah Hayes DL 97 
Braxton Strong DL 98 
Landon Lauter DL 99 
Troy Regovich DL 2 Kobie McKinzie LB 32 
Matthew Smith LB 33 
Braydon Brus LB 34 
Payton Roth LB 37 
Max Mohring LB 38 
Josh Veldman LB 39 
Parker Maiers LB 40 
Jason Reynolds II LB 42 
Nigel Glover LB 45 
Jack Sadowsky V LB 46 
Lincoln Creager LB 49 
Amare Jordan LB 50 
Qayvier Johnson LB 51 
Miles Crutchley LB 0 
Alijah Jones DB 3 
Brenden Deasfernandes DB 4 
Montae Pate DB 6 Robert Fitzgerald DB 7 
Ore Adeyi DB 9 
Braden Turner DB 11 
Seth Valeri DB 12 
Gabe Davis-Ray DB 13 
Josh Fussell DB 16 
J.J. Lewis DB 17 
Jaden Vaughn DB 21 
Damon Walters DB 22 
Terrion Curry-Hicks DB 23 
Cole Shivers DB 25 
Marquet Dorsey Jr. DB 26 
Jalen Lewis DB 27 
Jack Oyola DB 28 
Timi Oke DB 29 
Jon Jon Stevens Jr. DB 31 
Tito Williams Jr. DB 35 
Sean Martin DB 36 
Nate Dawson DB 90 
Jackson Kleather PK 94 
Henry Helms PK 98 
Noah Sur PK 92 
Nikola Dugandzic P 95 
Marko Dubak P 59 
Jack Florentine LS 60 
Evan Boutorwick LS
Aidan Chiles QB 2 Ryan Boe QB 4 Nicco Marchiol QB 9 Johnny O'Brien QB 11 Aidan Gray QB 13 Gavin Frakes QB 15 Sean Winton QB 5 Caleb Komolafe RB 6 Joseph Himon II RB 7 Mar'Kel Porter RB 12 Marcus Romain RB 22 Daniel Anderson RB 27 Gavin Sawchuk RB 36 Sean Morris II RB 3 Frank Covey IV WR 8 Hayden Eligon II WR 10 Ricky Ahumaraeze WR 11 Keaton Reinke WR 14 Dube Enongene WR 16 Brennan Saxe WR 17 Griffin Wilde WR 18 Camp Magee WR 19 Drew Wagner WR 20 Chase Farrell WR 80 Braden Blueitt WR 82 Jaden McDuffie WR 87 Carson Grove WR 89 Cam Russell WR 41 Robby Preckel TE 43 Noah LaPorte TE 48 Tyler Kielmeyer TE 81 Chris Petrucci TE 83 Blake Van Buren TE 84 Luke Dehnicke TE 85 Tom McGlinchey TE 86 Alex Honig TE 50 Owen Fors OL 52 Angelo De Sensi OL 60 Hayden Flavin OL 61 David Anchondo OL 62 Ezomo Oratokhai OL 64 Anthony Birsa OL 65 Jackson Carsello OL 66 Owen Jakubczak OL 67 Jace Borcherding OL 68 Quinn Wicklow OL 69 Patrick Schaller OL 70 Leighton Burbach OL 71 Dennis Rahouski OL 72 Jack Fuchs OL 73 Deuce McGuire OL 74 Grant Seagren OL 75 Arkel Anugwom OL 76 Michael O'Connell OL 77 Idrys Cotton OL 78 Trey Boyd OL 79 Jacob Miller OL 5 Dominic Kirks DL 15 Brendan Flakes DL 24 Jamaal Johnson DL 44 Callen Campbell DL 47 Michael Kilbane DL 52 Calvin Lorek DL 53 Tanner Jumpp DL 54 Tyler Gant DL 55 Dylan Roberts DL 56 Tre Hoskins DL 57 Nick Costa DL 58 Ronald Derrick III DL 63 Nick Zalewski DL 88 Migo Jackson DL 90 Jack Trautmann DL 91 Caden O'Rourke DL 92 Mason Green DL 93 Glory Stephen-Wangboje DL 94 Gage LaDere DL 95 Mason Mayne DL 96 Jonah Hayes DL 97 Braxton Strong DL 98 Landon Lauter DL 99 Troy Regovich DL 2 Kobie McKinzie LB 32 Matthew Smith LB 33 Braydon Brus LB 34 Payton Roth LB 37 Max Mohring LB 38 Josh Veldman LB 39 Parker Maiers LB 40 Jason Reynolds II LB 42 Nigel Glover LB 45 Jack Sadowsky V LB 46 Lincoln Creager LB 49 Amare Jordan LB 50 Qayvier Johnson LB 51 Miles Crutchley LB 0 Alijah Jones DB 3 Brenden Deasfernandes DB 4 Montae Pate DB 6 Robert Fitzgerald DB 7 Ore Adeyi DB 9 Braden Turner DB 11 Seth Valeri DB 12 Gabe Davis-Ray DB 13 Josh Fussell DB 16 J.J. Lewis DB 17 Jaden Vaughn DB 21 Damon Walters DB 22 Terrion Curry-Hicks DB 23 Cole Shivers DB 25 Marquet Dorsey Jr. DB 26 Jalen Lewis DB 27 Jack Oyola DB 28 Timi Oke DB 29 Jon Jon Stevens Jr. DB 31 Tito Williams Jr. DB 35 Sean Martin DB 36 Nate Dawson DB 90 Jackson Kleather PK 94 Henry Helms PK 98 Noah Sur PK 92 Nikola Dugandzic P 95 Marko Dubak P 59 Jack Florentine LS 60 Evan Boutorwick LS 2 
Cam Fancher QB 10 
Kayd Coffman QB 11 Alessio Milivojevic QB 15 
Leo Hannan QB 23 
Peyton Babbitt QB 0 Cam Edwards RB 4 
Jaziun Patterson RB 7 
Brandon Tullis RB 20 
Zion Gist RB 21 
Marvis Parrish RB 25 
Jace Clarizio RB 26 
Cedric Williams Jr. RB 27 
Darrin Jones Jr. RB 32 
Kenneth Williams RB 33 
Jaxon McCaig RB 44 
Jay Coyne FB 3 Rodney Bullard Jr. WR 5 
Samson Gash WR 6 
Fredrick Moore WR 8 
KK Smith WR 13 
Chrishon McCray WR 14 
Bryson Williams WR 16 
Zach Washington WR 17 
Braylon Collier WR 18 
Jameel Gardner Jr. WR 19 
Charles Taplin WR 22 
Jack Yanachik WR 81 
Colin Charles WR 85 
Rai'Shawn Elmore WR 89 
Nick Hardy WR 12 
Carson Gulker TE 31 Jayden Savoury TE 48 
Charlie Baker TE 82 
Brennan Parachek TE 84 
Eddie Whiting TE 86 
Ethan Melville TE 87 
Joe Caudill TE 88 
Kai Rios TE 52 
Nick Sharpe OL 54 
Antonio Johnson OL 55 
Rakeem Johnson OL 56 
Jack Ziarko OL 58 
Conner Moore OL 61 
Collin Campbell OL 63 
Trent Fraley OL 65 
Cole Bertke OL 68 
Eli Bickel OL 70 
Luka Vincic OL 71 
Robert Wright Jr. OL 73 
Rustin Young OL 75 
Ben Murawski OL 76 
Drew Nichols OL 77 
Andrew Dennis OL 79 
Tristan Comer OL 25 
Carlos Hazelwood DL 52 
Mikeshun Beeler DL 55 
Ben Roberts DL 57 
Hudson Aultman DL 91 
Jackson Pahl DL 96 Eli Coenen DL 97 
Cal Thrush DL 98 
Derrick Simmons DL 8 
Trey Lisle EDGE 9 
Keahnist Thompson EDGE 11 
Anelu Lafaele EDGE 13 
Isaac Smith EDGE 23 
Kenny Soares Jr. EDGE 33 
Cory House Jr. EDGE 36 
Leonard Ah You EDGE 47 
Jaxson Wilson EDGE 51 
Kekai Burnett EDGE 56 
Chris Piwowarczyk EDGE 94 
Aidan Boehle EDGE 5 
Jordan Hall LB 10 
DiMari Malone LB 12 
Cam Stodghill LB 16 
Adam Shaw LB 18 Dion Crawford LB 39 
Jack Lansing III LB 40 
DeJae White LB 44 
Caleb Wheatland LB 45 
Brady Pretzlaff LB 21 
Nikai Martinez DB 0 
NiJhay Burt CB 3 
Tre Bell CB 14 
Andrew Brinson IV CB 19 
Charles Brantley CB 20 
Keshawn Williams CB 22 
Tyran Chappell CB 24 
Jeremiah Favorite CB 27 Truth Umenyiora CB 29 
KJ Deriso CB 37 
Darelle Cochran CB 42 
Luca Genrich CB 2 Devin Vaught S 7 
Michael Richard S 15 
Caleb Gash S 17 
Jonathan Granby S 26 
Trevaughn Martinez S 28 
Brayden Thomas S 30 
Aveon Grose S 31 
Deuce Edwards S 32 
Evan Young S 34 
Khalil Majeed S 35 
Eliyjah Caldwell S 37 
Liam Boyd PK 85 
Stephen Gonzales PK 9 
Rhys Dakin P 49 
Alex Weeks P 50 
Nick Duzansky LS 53 
Trey Serauskis LS
Cam Fancher QB 10 Kayd Coffman QB 11 Alessio Milivojevic QB 15 Leo Hannan QB 23 Peyton Babbitt QB 0 Cam Edwards RB 4 Jaziun Patterson RB 7 Brandon Tullis RB 20 Zion Gist RB 21 Marvis Parrish RB 25 Jace Clarizio RB 26 Cedric Williams Jr. RB 27 Darrin Jones Jr. RB 32 Kenneth Williams RB 33 Jaxon McCaig RB 44 Jay Coyne FB 3 Rodney Bullard Jr. WR 5 Samson Gash WR 6 Fredrick Moore WR 8 KK Smith WR 13 Chrishon McCray WR 14 Bryson Williams WR 16 Zach Washington WR 17 Braylon Collier WR 18 Jameel Gardner Jr. WR 19 Charles Taplin WR 22 Jack Yanachik WR 81 Colin Charles WR 85 Rai'Shawn Elmore WR 89 Nick Hardy WR 12 Carson Gulker TE 31 Jayden Savoury TE 48 Charlie Baker TE 82 Brennan Parachek TE 84 Eddie Whiting TE 86 Ethan Melville TE 87 Joe Caudill TE 88 Kai Rios TE 52 Nick Sharpe OL 54 Antonio Johnson OL 55 Rakeem Johnson OL 56 Jack Ziarko OL 58 Conner Moore OL 61 Collin Campbell OL 63 Trent Fraley OL 65 Cole Bertke OL 68 Eli Bickel OL 70 Luka Vincic OL 71 Robert Wright Jr. OL 73 Rustin Young OL 75 Ben Murawski OL 76 Drew Nichols OL 77 Andrew Dennis OL 79 Tristan Comer OL 25 Carlos Hazelwood DL 52 Mikeshun Beeler DL 55 Ben Roberts DL 57 Hudson Aultman DL 91 Jackson Pahl DL 96 Eli Coenen DL 97 Cal Thrush DL 98 Derrick Simmons DL 8 Trey Lisle EDGE 9 Keahnist Thompson EDGE 11 Anelu Lafaele EDGE 13 Isaac Smith EDGE 23 Kenny Soares Jr. EDGE 33 Cory House Jr. EDGE 36 Leonard Ah You EDGE 47 Jaxson Wilson EDGE 51 Kekai Burnett EDGE 56 Chris Piwowarczyk EDGE 94 Aidan Boehle EDGE 5 Jordan Hall LB 10 DiMari Malone LB 12 Cam Stodghill LB 16 Adam Shaw LB 18 Dion Crawford LB 39 Jack Lansing III LB 40 DeJae White LB 44 Caleb Wheatland LB 45 Brady Pretzlaff LB 21 Nikai Martinez DB 0 NiJhay Burt CB 3 Tre Bell CB 14 Andrew Brinson IV CB 19 Charles Brantley CB 20 Keshawn Williams CB 22 Tyran Chappell CB 24 Jeremiah Favorite CB 27 Truth Umenyiora CB 29 KJ Deriso CB 37 Darelle Cochran CB 42 Luca Genrich CB 2 Devin Vaught S 7 Michael Richard S 15 Caleb Gash S 17 Jonathan Granby S 26 Trevaughn Martinez S 28 Brayden Thomas S 30 Aveon Grose S 31 Deuce Edwards S 32 Evan Young S 34 Khalil Majeed S 35 Eliyjah Caldwell S 37 Liam Boyd PK 85 Stephen Gonzales PK 9 Rhys Dakin P 49 Alex Weeks P 50 Nick Duzansky LS 53 Trey Serauskis LS 
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Last five games
Completed results from CollegeFootballData via the CFB Data Hub
How to watch Northwestern vs Michigan State
Northwestern Wildcats vs Michigan State Spartans, TBD at Spartan Stadium on October 17, 2026.
- TV Kickoff is TBD. The network has not been announced yet, usually 6 to 12 days before kickoff.
- Live updates Live score, play-by-play and match player stats for Northwestern vs Michigan State update on this page.
Northwestern vs Michigan State: preview and how to watch
Northwestern Wildcats vs Michigan State Spartans kicks off TBD at Spartan Stadium on October 17, 2026. This Big Ten game page carries the live score on gameday, TV channel and player stats once it kicks off, alongside the Northwestern and Michigan State team hubs, the match center, the schedule and the live standings. For the wider grudge history between these teams, see the Big Ten rivalry pages.
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Frequently asked questions
What channel is Northwestern vs Michigan State on?
The TV network for Northwestern Wildcats vs Michigan State Spartans is set by the conference's TV partners, usually 6 to 12 days before kickoff (TBD).
What is the line for Northwestern vs Michigan State?
The betting line for Northwestern Wildcats vs Michigan State Spartans is set closer to kickoff. See the Big Ten odds board for prices.
When does Northwestern play Michigan State?
Kickoff for Northwestern vs Michigan State is TBD at Spartan Stadium, on October 17, 2026.