Northwestern wins 24-21

Northwestern defeats Michigan State 24-21 in a down-to-wire game with a last-second touchdown drive.

Pat Fitzgerald's record

Fitzgerald is 2-5 with Michigan State after losing four straight games, including a 38-37 overtime loss to Illinois.

Fitzgerald's lawsuit

Fitzgerald filed a $130 million wrongful-termination lawsuit against Northwestern after being fired in 2023.

Aidan Chiles' performance

Chiles led Northwestern 64 yards in 58 seconds to set up a winning touchdown with two seconds left.

Fitzgerald's comments

Fitzgerald said, 'I get paid to win and we’re not winning, so it starts and ends with me.'

“I get paid to win and we’re not winning, so it starts and ends with me.”

Fitzgerald's pride

Fitzgerald praised his team, saying 34 players were recruited by him and they are playing at a high level.

Chiles' reaction

Chiles said, 'Never in doubt, we knew we were going to win this game.'

“Never in doubt, we knew we were going to win this game.”

Tom Izzo's support

Tom Izzo, Michigan State basketball coach, publicly supported Fitzgerald before the game.

Fitzgerald's emotional history

Fitzgerald has shown emotion in green, including flipping the bird at refs and entering the student section.

Fitzgerald's perspective

Fitzgerald said the game was about the teams and players, not Aidan Chiles or himself.

“It’s about the teams and [all] the players.”

Fitzgerald's record

Fitzgerald has a 110-win record at Northwestern and took 10 teams to bowls.

Michigan State's record

Michigan State has a 4-8 record from last season with 61 new players on the roster.

Fitzgerald's promise

Fitzgerald promised before the season, 'I know what I’m doing. The blueprint is there.'

“I know what I’m doing. The blueprint is there.”

Fitzgerald's emotional state

Fitzgerald said the game was not very emotional, just two teams respecting each other.

Brendan Flakes' block

Flakes blocked a field goal attempt with 1:05 left to set up the winning drive.