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Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from Northwestern loss in Week 9

By Shawn Ekwall

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Dexter Williams #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs a second quarter touchdown during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Dexter Williams #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs a second quarter touchdown during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

1. Special teams errors cost the Spartans

The kicking game was an adventure for Michigan State. Matt Coghlin had not one, but two field goal attempts clank off the uprights. Had either one of those went through, the Spartans may have not been resorted to playing overtime.

His 51-yard attempt in the first half had the distance, but missed off the right upright. The crucial miss came in the fourth quarter and was only from 32-yards. What should have been a chip shot ended up costing the Spartans three points.

Michigan State is a young team. They’ve played several close games this year. Special teams play an important role in winning and losing in close games. Coghlin has missed four field goals on the year, but none were more costly than his pair of misses Saturday.

Next: Latest 2018 NFL Mock Draft entering Week 9

Mark Dantonio has to feel like his team let one slip away. With an offense rolling up 540 yards, and a defense that had been solid until late, Dantonio will be lamenting the missed opportunities as his team readies to take on Penn State.

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