Northwestern had myriad chances to hand No. 7 Michigan State its first loss of the season, but the Wildcats defense caved in as the Spartans recorded a 35-27 comeback win at Ryan Field.

As time dwindled down with the Cats leading 27-20, the Spartans began a threatening drive into NU territory. Michigan State worked down the field 88 yards, and took the lead 28-27 on a circus nine-yard catch B.J. Cunningham in the end zone.

NU (5-2, 1-2 Big Ten) got the ball back with two minutes remaining, but a costly personal foul call on junior tackle Al Netter set the Cats back 15 yards, and NU was unable to dig itself out of that hole.

After a Michigan State (8-0, 4-0) touchdown, NU had one more chance to tie the game, down eight points, but a Persa interception ended the game.

The Cats had a healthy 24-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter as Michigan State faced a fourth-and-six from the NU 31-yard line. The Spartans called timeout, only to take a delay-of-game penalty and send out the punting unit. As fans scratched their heads, Michigan State pulled off a perfect fake punt pass play, as punter Aaron Bates completed a 23-yarder to wide receiver Bennie Fowler. One play later, quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a touchdown pass to Mark Dell, to draw within three points.

The Cats responded with a drive into the Spartans red zone. Junior quarterback Dan Persa completed a 28-yard pass to junior wide receiver Charles Brown on third down, and Stefan Demos hit a 41-yard field goal to increase NU’s lead to six.

Persa was explosive, rushing for three touchdowns, but was uncharacteristically wild, completing just 18-of-29 passes for 187 yards. Freshmen running backs Mike Trumpy and Adonis Smith were effective running the ball, combining for 94 yards on 20 carries.

On defense, NU held Michigan State’s well-acclaimed rushing attack to just 107 yards.