EAST LANSING - Michigan State had the ball and a chance.
Taking over 98 yards from the end zone and trailing Northwestern by three points with less than four minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Spartans needed to mount a drive to either tie the game or take the lead.
Neither happened.
After a 9-yard completion on the first play of the possession, the Spartans couldn't even get a first down. With three chances to pick up a yard, they gained zero and handed the ball back to the Wildcats with a short field.