Northwestern held Charles Rogers to a season-low three receptions and 53 receiving yards, but it was not enough as Michigan State defeated the Wildcats 39-24 Saturday afternoon in East Lansing. Rogers, who was averaging a Big Ten-best 158.5 receiving yards and 7.25 catches per game, did set an NCAA record, however, by catching a touchdown pass in his 13th straight regular-season game.

The Spartans (3-2) scored 16 straight points over a span of 5:44 during the third and fourth quarters to pull away from Northwestern (2-3) in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Rogers broke the record shared by Marshall's Randy Moss, Michigan's Desmond Howard and Pacific's Aaron Turner. He set the mark midway through the second quarter on a 21-catch from Jeff Smoker, over two defenders. The touchdown gave Michigan State a 17-10 lead.

Despite the record, Rogers was overshadowed statistically by teammate Dawan Moss, who ran for a career-high 191 yards on 26 carries. His 22-yard TD in the second quarter was Michigan State's first rushing score in 13 quarters.

The Wildcats' strong defensive effort on Rogers ended his school-record streak of eight 100-yard games.

Smoker was 15-of-24 for 263 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.

Northwestern's Jason Wright, the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, ran for 134 yards on 22 carries (6.1 ypg). He totaled 110 yards in the first half.

Dave Rayner booted a career-high four field goals -- on four attempts -- including a career-long 53-yarder to put the Spartans ahead 39-17 with 5:08 left.

Northwestern's Raheem Covington intercepted two passes intended for Rogers on consecutive drives in the third quarter to give the Wildcats a chance. Those were the fourth and fifth career interceptions of Covington's career.

His first pick was in the end zone, after Northwestern had cut the deficit to 20-17 on Noah Herron's 6-yard run midway through the third quarter.

His second interception was at Northwestern's 23, but the Wildcats were forced to punt, and Ziehl Kavanaght's 88-yard punt return for a TD gave Michigan State a 27-17 lead with 1:24 left in the third.

Rayner's 21-yard kick and Smoker's 31-yard pass to Jason Randall put the Spartans ahead 36-17 with 10:40 to go.

Brett Basanez was 15-of-36 for 178 yards and a TD for Northwestern, while Jon Schweighardt caught six passes for 74 yards and a TD.

Final Stats - <a href="http://nusports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/092802aaa.html" target="_blank">http://nusports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/092802aaa.html</a>

Raheem Covington led NU's defensive effort on Charles Rogers, holding the Heisman Trophy candidate to a season- low three catches for 53 yards.

The football team is young it seems. Next year should be NU's year!!

That's true. There is a lot of young and unproven talent. The Cats will be much better in '03 and '04.