PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR Felton Davis is the last of Michigan State’s trio of outstanding receivers that is still healthy. Junior Darrell Stewart Jr. missed last week’s game against Central Michigan with an ankle injury while sophomore Cody White was lost late in the first half to a broken hand. That leaves Davis as the lone established playmaker on offense. The senior is more than capable of carrying the load and will, no doubt, be quarterback Brian Lewerke’s No. 1 option moving forward.
–QB Brian Lewerke has yet to break out after entering the season with high expectations. He threw his second interception this season in the end zone last week and has now turned the ball over seven times in just four games. His completion percentage has slowly dwindled each week to the 65.6-percent mark. Some of the struggles can be pinned on the injuries at the receiver spot while some is on an offensive line that has struggled, but for Michigan State to get things going, it will need its junior quarterback to start living up to the hype.
–DE Kenny Willekes continues to be a difference-maker on the Spartans’ defense, collecting another sack last week to give the junior a team-high four sacks this season as part of 6.5 tackles for loss. He’s been the catalyst of a Spartans pass rush that is starting to resemble those of past seasons while also playing a big part in the top run defense in the nation with 21 total tackles through four games.
–S David Dowell proved to be Johnny on the spot again last week, grabbing an overthrown pass for his first interception of the season and setting up Michigan State’s first touchdown drive. The game-changing play was something the Spartans became accustomed to last season when Dowell recorded five interceptions to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors. If he starts to have similar production, the MSU pass defense might start to resemble its run stopping.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan State leads 37-19. Northwestern won last year, 39-31, in overtime in Evanston, Ill.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I think in this conference every single week you’re in for a challenge. I don’t care who you play, people prepare, they have a plan — I said over and over it’s very tough to win.” — Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio
