EAST LANSING — The Michigan State football team was expected to arrive at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois, around 2 p.m. for its typical Friday walkthrough.

That didn't happen.

Plane trouble forced the team to take a slower form of transportation.

Ben Phlegar, MSU's associate director of football communications, confirmed that the team is making the 239-mile drive by bus.

The Spartans are expected to arrive in Evanston at approximately 7 p.m. CST.

The No. 16 Spartans (6-1, 4-0) are scheduled to play Northwestern (4-3, 2-2) at 3:30 p.m.

This isn't the first time Mark Dantonio's squad has dealt with plane issues. In October 2015, mechanical issues forced the team to stay an extra night in New Jersey after a 31-24 win over Rutgers.

Contact Cody Tucker at (517) 377-1070 or cjtucker@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @CodyTucker_LSJ