Jackson ties Northwestern TD record in upset of Michigan State

Running back Justin Jackson has accomplished a lot in his nearly four-season tenure at Northwestern. But he’ll be the last to tell you that, especially after the Wildcats upset No. 16 Michigan State 39-31 in three overtimes Saturday at Ryan Field.

Jackson is the Wildcats’ go-to guy. He’s a do-it-all player, and he displayed that against the Spartans.

Jackson threw — yes, threw — a 12-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to Bennett Skowronek to give Northwestern a 17-10 lead.

After the Spartans forced double overtime, Jackson helped the Wildcats survive a do-or-die situation, scoring on a three-yard run. It tied Damien Anderson’s all-time school touchdown record of 38.

But those two plays aren’t what matter to the four-year starter. When asked about his accomplishments, Jackson said he couldn’t do it without the support of his teammates.

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“You just try to push forward for the guys for the rest of the season,” Jackson said. “You guys keep track of that stuff. I don’t know until you guys tell me.”

A modest answer from the Wildcats’ all-time leader in rushing yards, all-purpose yards and rushes.

But that’s the kind of player Jackson is and why coach Pat Fitzgerald called him a “special Wildcat.”

“He’s just unbelievable,” Fitzgerald said. “You think about the durability and his toughness and the production, I think it’s really about the person. For his teammates, the way he looks [and] the passion he demonstrates, he was the most excited about that win out of everybody in the locker room.”

Anderson, who played for Northwestern from 1998 to 2001, called Jackson the whole package on and off the field.

“[Jackson is] a great example of what it looks like,” Anderson said. “Justin is a great example of consistent hard work, talent coupled with intelligence, and he does it all. I wish him nothing but the best in his future. He’s a great guy all around.”

Jackson said “it means a lot, obviously” to hear Anderson talk about him like that, but he still brought it back to his support system and the team.

Jackson has been one of Northwestern’s most consistent and reliable players over the last 3½ seasons. He’s magic once he has the ball. Jackson can stop on a dime, break tackles and carry a defender five yards before being taken down.

But Fitzgerald noted Jackson has flown under the radar nationally and among Big Ten fans.

“This is one of the most spectacular careers that has been had in Big Ten history,” Fitzgerald said.

Jackson, who led the Big Ten in 2016 with 1,524 rushing yards, is on pace to finish in the top five on the Big Ten’s all-time rushing list. He’s eighth with 4,801 yards. He’s the only active player in the top 45 on the list. Penn State junior Saquon Barkley is No. 47 with 3,329 yards.

Jackson is also the fifth player in Big Ten history with 1,000 career rushes.

But the name on the back of the jersey isn’t what matters to Jackson. It’s the name on the front — Northwestern.

After the Wildcats’ thrilling upset of Michigan State, you could tell Jackson was excited. But he also is already looking forward to what he can do to help his teammates against Nebraska next Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @madkenney.

Email: mkenney@suntimes.com