PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Clayton Thorson did not throw a touchdown pass in Saturday’s loss to Michigan and will need a bounce back performance to help Northwestern snap its losing streak against No. 20 Michigan State. Thorson had one of the best games of his career in a 39-31 triple-overtime victory against the Spartan last season, completing 33-of-48 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns, while adding seven carries for 11 yards and a rushing touchdown.
–LB Blake Gallagher leads Northwestern in tackles and is second in the Big Ten in total tackles, tallying 38 through four games, including 12 against Michigan. Gallagher’s role may become even more important if senior linebacker Nate Hall is unable to play against Michigan State after exiting last Saturday’s loss to Michigan with a lower body injury.
–WR Flynn Nagel is Northwestern’s leading receiver through four games with 26 catches for 291 yards but has yet to find the end zone. Nagel’s speed and route-running ability make him a dangerous weapon in all phases of the Wildcats’ pass attack, as well as his timing and chemistry with fellow senior Thorson.
–K Charlie Kuhbander hit a career-long 45-yard field goal against Michigan to give the Wildcats a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter. Kuhbander seems to be expanding his placekicking range, which will help Northwestern significantly if Saturday’s matchup with the Spartans is as close as recent years.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan State leads Northwestern 37-19 but has dropped its last two contests to the Wildcats, including last year’s 39-31 loss in triple overtime at Ryan Field.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I think there were a couple of throws that, like he probably said after the (Michigan) game, that he’d like to have back. That’s part of the deal, but head coaches, quarterbacks, quarterbacks…you get evaluated on wins. We’ve lost three straight, so we’ve all got to be better, and he’s got to be better too. He knows that, we know that as coaches, and that’s what we’re going to keep working to do.” — Head coach Pat Fitzgerald on the play of quarterback Clayton Thorson during Northwestern’s three-game losing streak.
