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Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from loss to Northwestern in Week 9

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 28: Justin Jackson #21 of the Northwestern Wildcats keeps his balance as he runs for a first down against the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 28: Justin Jackson #21 of the Northwestern Wildcats keeps his balance as he runs for a first down against the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

1. This team doesn’t quit

If we’ve learned anything about this Michigan State team in 2017, it’s that they don’t quit. Last season, it seemed like the Spartans were often giving up when the score flipped and they no longer held the lead. Not this season.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 overreactions from loss to Northwestern

In fact, it would have been easy to mail in the game when the Spartans had the ball with just over three minutes left and couldn’t seem to move the ball down the field consistently to that point. However, Brian Lewerke and the talented group of receivers went 88 yards in 2:49 to tie the game up on a leaping grab in the end zone by Felton Davis III.

Even in overtime when the defense couldn’t get any stops, the offense was able to put together two quick scoring plays in response. This team didn’t give up at all.

Next: MSU Football: Report card for loss to Northwestern

The final instance of the young Spartans avoiding the white flag actually came back to bite them. Lewerke fumbled in overtime No. 3, went back to pick it up and looked to make a great game-saving play, but instead of throwing it away and setting up third-and-long, he threw into double-coverage trying to make a hero play.

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