It’s been no secret that Michigan State has struggled majorly in fourth quarters this season. The Week 2 loss to Arizona State and last Saturday’s game against Central Michigan were perfect illustrations of the issues the Spartans have had in the final 15 minutes of games.

Mark Dantonio touched on that area during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. He knows his team has to be better in that final quarter to win B1G football games.

“We gotta finish,” Dantonio said.

He wasn’t able to “itemize” the reasons behind the fourth quarter woes, stating it’s been something a little different in each game.

Over the last three weeks, the Spartans have been outscored 44-7 in the fourth quarter. Arizona State outscored MSU 13-0 in the final 15 minutes a few weeks ago. Central Michigan had a 17 unanswered.

On the year, Michigan State is being outscored 51-18 in the final quarter.

Earlier this week, quarterback Brian Lewerke said “it sucks” that Michigan State isn’t able to put teams away in the final stretch of games. He’s hoping that’s something that changes moving down the road.

The Spartans have a chance to correct those fourth quarter issues this week, taking on Northwestern (1-3) this weekend in East Lansing.