Oct. 6, 2007

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes |  AP Photo Gallery 

Watch broadcast highlights from the Big Ten Network.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- C.J. Bachér threw for a school-record 520 yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime, and Northwestern scored a wild 48-41 victory over Michigan State on Saturday.

Bachér connected with Omar Conteh on a 12-yard TD strike in overtime, and Northwestern (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) forced Michigan State's Brian Hoyer into four-straight incompletions when the Spartans had the chance to send it to a second overtime.

Bachér completed 38 of 48 passes as the Wildcats' spread offense baffled the Spartans (4-2, 0-2), who have lost two straight.

"The (offensive) line did a great job. I didn't have to worry much about pressure," Bachér said. "Our guys got open and found the holes in the defense. That makes my job pretty easy...just get them the ball."

Bachér's 520 passing yards ranks as the fifth-best total in Big Ten history, while his five touchdown passes tied Mitch Anderson's 1973 school record set against Minnesota. His 38 completions are tied with Brett Basanez's performance in the 2005 Sun Bowl for third-most in school history, while also tying for 10th-best in Big Ten history.

Bachér connected with 10 different receivers in the game, with Eric Peterman (nine) and Rasheed Ward (eight) both setting career highs for catches. Peterman's 141 yards receiving and Jeff Yarbrough's 104 yards receiving also set career bests.

Javon Ringer rushed 12 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring runs of 47 and 80 yards earlier in the second half, to lead Michigan State.

Northwestern missed two opportunities to win the game late in regulation.

Amado Villarreal's 36-yard field goal attempt as time expired sailed wide left. About three minutes earlier, the Wildcats botched the snap on a field goal attempt, resulting in an incomplete pass.

Northwestern has won six of the last 10 meetings between the schools. The Wildcats now are a perfect 6-0 in overtime games against Big Ten opponents, and 7-1 overall in extra sessions.

Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury, depriving the Wildcats of one of their top offensive threats.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.