MSU-Northwestern highlights

Key play

After Northwestern scored quickly to start the second half and get within 24-14, the Wildcats called for an onside kick and appeared to get it. But they were offside. Moreover, the ball was popped up, MSU's Jesse Johnson smartly called for a fair catch and the Wildcats were called for interfering with him. That gave MSU the ball at Northwestern's 32, setting up an easy touchdown drive and a 31-14 lead.

Unsung heroes

With so many players contributing for MSU, it's impossible to pick just one. So we'll choose from both sides of the ball. Senior guard Mike Bacon (Lansing Catholic), a former walk-on, filled in admirably at center after starter Joel Nitchman took a shot to the head and left the game early in the second quarter. And senior linebacker Ryan Allison came up big after playing sparingly for the first six games. Allison led MSU with 11 tackles and had two pass break-ups.

Quotable

"As a coach, as a player, as a manager, as a trainer, you want to get revenge. I hate to say it, but that's what you do."

MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, on avenging last season's 48-41 loss to Northwestern

"Now we're really gonna start testing the type of team we have."

MSU senior running back Javon Ringer

What's next

Spartan Stadium hasn't seen a game this big, this late in the season, in a long time. It'll be a battle for first place in the Big Ten when Ohio State visits at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC, Ch. 7, 12, 41, 53). The Buckeyes are 6-1 overall, 3-0 in the Big Ten after Saturday's 16-3 home win over Purdue. The Spartans have not defeated Ohio State since 1999.