Final Score: Michigan State 31, Northwestern 10

Brief Recap: Michigan State was able to rebound in a big way from a Week 3 loss to Arizona State. The Spartans jumped out to a quick lead in the B1G opener against Northwestern, scoring off a nine-play drive to start the game. A late touchdown before halftime made it 14-3 Michigan State, and the Wildcats were not able to keep it close in the second half. The Spartans outscored Northwestern 10-0 in the third quarter to pull away before closing it out late.

RELATED: Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio sets school record with win over Northwestern

Key Moment: Late in the first half,  Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson was trying to drive the Wildcats for a score. At the time, Michigan State was carrying a 7-3 lead. Then Johnson dropped back and threw a pass to the sideline. That throw appeared way off target and headed out of bounds, but Josiah Scott came out of nowhere. He snagged the ball and held on while toe-tapping the sideline for his first interception of the season. Brian Lewerke and the Spartan offense took advantage, driving for a touchdown with less than 30 seconds remaining in the half. That score hardly assured a victory, but it gave Michigan State breathing room it would not relinquish.

RELATED: Josiah Scott snuffs out Northwestern drive with beautiful toe-tap interception

Key Stat: Three, interceptions by the Spartan defense. Johnson threw the one pick late in the first half before getting replaced after the break. Backup Aidan Smith threw an interception shortly after being inserted after Josiah Scott created a beautiful deflection that was intercepted. Smith threw another brutal pick later in the game.

Three is also the number of touchdown passes for Lewerke. He finished 18-for-31 passing with 228 yards passing and the three scores.

Key Player: In such a complete game, it is hard to spotlight just one player. But despite the solid showing by Lewerke, Elijah Collins, and the rest of the offense, we’re going with Joe Bachie Jr. for the player of the game. Michigan State’s defense forced a quick 3-and-out on Northwestern’s first drive of the game before Cody White fumbled the ensuing punt. That put the Spartan defense with their back to the red zone quickly after getting off the field. The Wildcats drove all the way inside Michigan State’s five-yard line, but it was Bachie that provided a touchdown-saving tackle on the goal line. The defense went on to force a turnover-on-downs which really set the tone for the afternoon. Bachie also grabbed an interception in the fourth quarter while making plays all over the field in the win.

RELATED: Joe Bachie makes imrpessive mid-air stop, Spartans D holds strong on goal line

What it Means: Northwestern faces a tough task in a much deeper B1G West this season. A good goal for the Wildcats is to get to bowl eligibility at this point. Hunter Johnson hardly looks like the answer at quarterback, but the defense should be able to carry this team to a few upsets.

For the Spartans, Michigan State bounced back in a big way after the disappointing loss to Arizona State. The Spartans were undoubtedly the more talented team on the field Saturday, and they performed like it in the B1G opener. Ohio State is still the favorite in the B1G East, but Mark Dantonio and company are once again poised to make some noise in the conference and divisional races.