Kleather’s last-second field goal lifts Northwestern over Michigan State, 24-21

Jackson Kleather kicked a 34-yard field goal with two seconds left, giving No. 25 Northwestern a 24-21 win at Michigan State on Saturday after the Wildcats escaped a failed fake punt and blocked a potential go-ahead kick.

Aidan Chiles, playing against the school where he had started the previous two seasons, brought Northwestern back from eight points down in the fourth quarter. His 1-yard touchdown run and two-point pass to Alex Honig tied the game at 21 with 7:24 remaining. Chiles then helped the Wildcats move 64 yards in the final minute to set up Kleather's winner.

Northwestern nearly handed the game back before that last drive. With the score tied, Honig threw incomplete on a fake punt from the Wildcats' 28-yard line. Michigan State took over in scoring range and moved to the 13 before a penalty pushed it back. Liam Boyd's 33-yard field-goal attempt was blocked, preserving the tie and giving Chiles another possession.

The Wildcats made that chance count. Griffin Wilde caught passes for 12 and 17 yards on the winning drive, and Caleb Komolafe ran 14 yards to the Michigan State 16. After a spike stopped the clock, Kleather made his third field goal of the afternoon. His earlier kicks had come from 39 and 37 yards.

Chiles completed 18 of 27 passes for 226 yards without an interception and rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown. Northwestern finished with 360 total yards, converted seven of 14 third downs and held the ball for 34:55. Komolafe led the running game with 67 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while Wilde caught six passes for 57 yards.

Michigan State had taken a 21-13 lead on Alessio Milivojevic's 53-yard touchdown pass to Chrishon McCray early in the fourth quarter. Milivojevic also threw a 32-yard touchdown to Bryson Williams just before halftime and scored on a 3-yard run in the first quarter. He finished 19 of 30 for 216 yards and two passing touchdowns.

The Spartans could not keep those scoring bursts going. Northwestern held them to 89 rushing yards and a 3-for-12 showing on third down. Braydon Brus recorded 15 tackles, and Michael Kilbane had a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery. That early takeaway led to Kleather's first field goal.

Northwestern improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Michigan State fell to 2-5 and 0-4. The Wildcats return home to face Rutgers next Saturday; the Spartans travel to UCLA.