What a win. Aidan Chiles, following an incredible 60-yard drive down the field with just a minute to go, allowed Jackson Kleather a chip-shot 34-yard kick to complete Northwestern's comeback bid over Michigan State. However, this game was far from pretty and there are questions to be answered following the victory. Though, for just the 'Cats' second road win in the past two seasons, there is still much to appreciate.
Aidan Chiles had an emotional day coming back into his former home. After 12 starts with the Spartans, he looked a bit rattled at the beginning of the game. However, he found his composure as the game progressed. Even though the Michigan State defensive line looked like a brick wall for much of the game, he still was talented in finding ways to keep his vision downfield and create some important third-down receptions.
Yes, I'll double down on the Northwestern signal caller. It is only right considering the ending to his return to Spartan Stadium. To add on to his composure, his athleticism is undeniable and shows in every facet of his game. From dodging big tackles to getting first downs or making moves in the backfield, it is vital to Aidan Chiles' playing style. Touted as a dual-threat QB, he showed all of that today on the field.
The stock up wouldn't be complete without admiring the leg that saved the game. Jackson Kleather, with all the pressure in the world following a blocked field goal in the second quarter, drilled the game-winning field goal to end it. Kleather is now 11 for 13 on field goals for the season, and has been a huge offseason pickup for the 'Cats.
Honorable mention: The Wildcats' chances of remaining ranked
The run defense was weak. Even the short runs turned into relatively efficient gains. Every six-yard run just chopped into Northwestern's hopes of staying competitive in this game. They just completely looked overpowered. Multiple times, Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic easily drifted through the lacking offensive line for a solid gain. Then, once Michigan State forced a turnover on downs following the fake punt, they began to just run it through the already weak defensive line.
The offensive line had a tough time this afternoon protecting Chiles. He was sacked five times with the run game never being able to develop out of the backfield. Furthermore, Northwestern only had 169 rushing yards. Chiles had 60 positive rushing yards. Northwestern's primary running back Caleb Komolafe had 67. It was a rough day for the 'Cats on the ground.
Michigan State had a real advantage when it got to the secondary. There were too many open players throughout the game. On three different occasions, the Northwestern secondary seemed to completely blow the coverage of long-distance passes with two of them resulting in touchdowns. Admittedly, the team operated without leading defensive back Robert Fitzgerald, but an easy 14 points were given up due to blown coverage. Furthermore, multiple receivers were open throughout the game, but a heavy arm from Milivojevic resulted in some gifted incompletions.
The special teams play was rough. The punt return allowed by the Wildcats at the start of the fourth quarter essentially offset the distance of the punt, which was the second 40+ yard return of the day for MSU. And then there was the fake punt. A fake punt on fourth-and-eight on your own 28-yard line is a bold strategy. Regardless of the outcome of the game, the decision to execute that fake punt is one that 'Cats fans rightfully will question.
