The loss continues MSU’s streak of losing each Big Ten game by four points or less, as the Spartans closed out their home season with a 2-5 record — the most home losses in Dantonio’s tenure as head coach.

“There’s too many plays that are end-game plays that you have to be able to make if you’re gonna win the football game,” Dantonio said.

“There’s really no way to sugarcoat it. I do really love our football team, I love our players, I love the way we play and how hard we play. Same with the coaches and everything, but collectively as a group, we’ve got to win. We’ve got to win. Everyone in that locker room right now is extremely disappointed. We made some plays, no question, but we’ve got to win.”

Dantonio said there’s enough blame to spread around to everybody, including himself, and that statement especially rang true Saturday, as costly errors were rampant throughout the depth chart.

There was the inability to convert from the opposition’s one-yard line twice in the first half.

Then, the missed pass protection which led to junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell being hit as he threw the ball, resulting in an easy interception returned for a Northwestern touchdown.

There was the blown defensive pass coverage that allowed Northwestern to complete a 41-yard pass to move into range for the game-winning field goal.

Dropped passes re-emerged as an issue throughout the game to dig the Spartans a hole, particularly on the Spartans’ final drive.

Maxwell continued to struggle with accuracy, completing 47 percent of his passes, including an inexcusable interception as the Spartans entered scoring range.

And there was another missed field goal by senior kicker Dan Conroy — his eighth of the season — more than he missed in his previous three years combined.

The Spartans have gone from a team that seemed to always win the close game — 9-1 in games decided by 10 points or less the previous two seasons — to one that can’t make the critical play in the game’s biggest moments.

Now, with one game remaining, one of Dantonio’s most important streaks will be on the line next week.

The Spartans’ head coach has made a bowl game in each of his previous five seasons in East Lansing and said it’s critical the streak continues this year.

“I don’t care what bowl it is,” Dantonio said.

“(If) you look backwards and you blame others, get bitter or get negative and think you can’t get there, then things fall apart. Our football team will not fall apart.”

Josh Mansour is a State News football reporter. He can be reached at mansou13@msu.edu.