Michigan State Spartans 38–21 Northwestern Wildcats: Final Score & Recap | Week 1, 2021

Quick answer

Michigan State Spartans defeated Northwestern Wildcats 38–21 in Week 1, 2021. Final score: Michigan State Spartans 38, Northwestern Wildcats 21.

Game summary

Michigan State Spartans rolled past Northwestern Wildcats 38–21 in Week 1 of the 2021 season.

Scoring: 8 touchdowns, 1 field goal across 9 plays.
Passing leader: Hunter Johnson (77) — 0.0 pass yds, 3 TD, +0.24 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Kenneth Walker III — 0.0 yds, 4 TD.
Receiving leader: Bryce Kirtz — 7 rec, 0.0 yds.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Michigan State Spartans	12	6	6	9	38
Northwestern Wildcats	0	6	0	12	21

Scoring Map

Each pin marks a score on the field — TDs in the end zone, field goals near the kick line.

MSUMichigan State Spartans

+3OPP 33

NUNorthwestern Wildcats

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

MSU
Q1TD
KWKenneth Walker III
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-0
Kenneth Walker III run for 3 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)
MSU
Q1TD
KWKenneth Walker III
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-0
Kenneth Walker III run for 75 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)
NU
Q2TD
TPTrey Pugh
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-6
Hunter Johnson pass complete to Trey Pugh for 1 yd for a TD, (Charlie Kuhbander KICK)
MSU
Q2TD
JSJordon Simmons
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
18-6
Payton Thorne pass complete to Jordon Simmons for 14 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)
MSU
Q3TD
KWKenneth Walker III
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
24-6
Kenneth Walker III run for 5 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)
MSU
Q4TD
KWKenneth Walker III
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
30-6
Kenneth Walker III run for 6 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK)
NU
Q4TD
SRStephon Robinson Jr.
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
30-12
Hunter Johnson pass complete to Stephon Robinson Jr. for 14 yds for a TD, (Charlie Kuhbander KICK)
MSU
Q4FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 33
Score
33-12
Matt Coghlin 37 yd FG GOOD
NU
Q4TD
TPTrey Pugh
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
33-18
Hunter Johnson pass complete to Trey Pugh for 5 yds for a TD, (Charlie Kuhbander KICK)

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

Hunter Johnson (77) — 0.0 yds · 3 TD · +0.24 EPA/play +11.49 EPA
Payton Thorne (127) — 0.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.04 EPA/play +0.85 EPA
TEAM (127) — 0.0 yds · -0.60 EPA/play -0.60 EPA

Rushing

Kenneth Walker III (127) — 0.0 yds · 4 TD +0.66 EPA
Evan Hull (77) — 0.0 yds -0.02 EPA
Anthony Tyus III (77) — 0.0 yds -0.40 EPA

Receiving

Bryce Kirtz (77) — 7 rec · 0.0 yds +0.64 EPA
Jayden Reed (127) — 5 rec · 0.0 yds +0.16 EPA
Stephon Robinson Jr. (77) — 5 rec · 0.0 yds +0.98 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Hunter Johnson	77	47	63.8%	3	+0.24	+11.49
Payton Thorne	127	24	62.5%	1	+0.04	+0.85
TEAM	127	1	0.0%	0	-0.60	-0.60

Team EPA comparison

Stat	MSU	NU
Plays	0	0
EPA / play	—	—
Total EPA	—	—
Success rate	—	—
Pass EPA / play	—	—
Rush EPA / play	—	—
Yards	0	0

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	EPA	Result
Q1	127	1	-0.19	Ended
Q1	77	4	-1.08	Punt
Q1	127	6	-1.68	Punt
Q1	77	7	-2.21	Ended
Q1	127	1	+0.70	Rush TD
Q1	127	9	+3.95	Ended
Q1	77	6	+0.96	Missed FG
Q1	127	1	+4.73	Rush TD
Q2	127	6	-0.93	Ended
Q2	77	1	+2.36	Pass TD
Q2	77	14	+2.80	Ended
Q2	127	2	-2.41	Punt
Q2	77	5	-1.28	Punt
Q2	127	1	+1.43	Pass TD
Q2	127	3	+5.50	Ended
Q2	77	3	-1.87	Punt

Biggest EPA swings

Q1 · Northwestern Wildcats · Hunter Johnson pass complete to Stephon Robinson Jr. for 47 yds to the MchSt 25 for a 1ST down (+5.45 EPA)
Q1 · Northwestern Wildcats · Hunter Johnson pass complete to Bryce Kirtz for 41 yds to the MchSt 28 for a 1ST down (+5.27 EPA)
Q1 · Michigan State Spartans · Kenneth Walker III run for 75 yds for a TD, (Matt Coghlin KICK) (+4.73 EPA)
Q2 · Michigan State Spartans · Payton Thorne run for 16 yds to the Nwest 29 for a 1ST down NORTHWESTERN Penalty, Personal Foul (Chris Bergin) to the Nwest 14 for a 1ST down (+4.67 EPA)
Q4 · Michigan State Spartans · Harold Joiner run for 8 yds to the Nwest 39 Harold Joiner fumbled, forced by A.J. Hampton Jr., recovered by Nwest Sean McLaughlin (-4.4 EPA)
Q4 · Northwestern Wildcats · Hunter Johnson pass complete to Malik Washington for 9 yds to the MchSt 20 for a 1ST down (+3.8 EPA)
Q1 · Northwestern Wildcats · Hunter Johnson pass incomplete to Bryce Kirtz (-3.75 EPA)
Q3 · Northwestern Wildcats · Charlie Kuhbander 38 yd FG MISSED (-3.52 EPA)

Key takeaways

Michigan State Spartans controlled the final (38–21) in Week 1.
Passing edge: Hunter Johnson (77) — yds, 3 TD.
EPA edge: MSU at EPA/play.
Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Michigan State Spartans vs Northwestern Wildcats?

Michigan State Spartans 38, Northwestern Wildcats 21 in Week 1 of the 2021 college football season.

Who won Michigan State Spartans vs Northwestern Wildcats?

Michigan State Spartans won with a final score of 38–21.

Where can I find the Michigan State Spartans vs Northwestern Wildcats box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401282782.

Who led Michigan State Spartans vs Northwestern Wildcats in passing?

Hunter Johnson (77) led passers with 0.0 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for Michigan State Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.