Thursday, March 12, 2026

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Sports

FOOTBALL

Defensive line turns in season's top performance

Through seven games this season, the MSU defensive line had struggled to generate pressure on the opposing quarterback, accounting for only 7.5 sacks. But in the No. 5 Spartans’ 35-27 victory against Northwestern on Saturday, the defensive front sacked quarterback Dan Persa six times in the unit’s best showing of the season.

FOOTBALL

Making their own luck

Through the first six games of the season, MSU’s fortune was earned on the backs of its linemen and running backs, gritted out in convincing victories against stout opponents. But after back-to-back games where the Spartans looked flat then responded by crushing their opponents, it’s clear there’s some luck on the Spartans’ side, too.

FOOTBALL

Cousins takes control of Spartan offense in win

Throughout the early portion of the season, junior quarterback Kirk Cousins took a back seat to a dominant MSU rushing attack that made throwing the ball seemingly unnecessary. On Saturday against Northwestern, the roles were reversed when the running game struggled for the second week in a row, and Cousins responded with one of the best performances of his Spartan career.

FOOTBALL

Senior Misch bringing energy, leaving his mark

Jon Misch is a man of many talents. The fifth-year senior’s list of off-the-field accomplishments would impress most people. But it’s his on-the-field play and excitement that’s made him stand out for the No. 8 MSU football team en route to a 7-0 start.