Photos by Aaron J. Thornton
The big in-state rivalry game between the Wolverines and the Spartans on the football field was played under the lights in Ann Arbor yesterday, just the fourth time as a night game in the rivalry. Both teams came into the game with 4-3 records and both featured new head coaches for the first time since 1995. The teams looked very different from the last meeting when Michigan routed Michigan State 49-0. New head coaches, new starting Quarterbacks, and a slew of new players on both sides for this year’s battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy.Michigan was a slight favorite to win the game but Michigan State came out with confidence, taking the opening drive all the way down to the Michigan two yard line before committing a delay of game penalty on 4th and goal. This led to a 25 yard field goal attempt by MSU Kicker Jonathan Kim but he missed to keep the game scoreless. Michigan, behind Quarterback Davis Warren who was named the starter this week after being benched earlier in the season, ended up going three and out on their first possession of the game. It was then Michigan State getting the first points of the game on their second series going 62 yards on 9 plays and scoring on a fourth and one run by Nathan Carter. That touchdown came with just ten seconds left in the first quarter and at the end of one, MSU led 7-0.
Both teams’ defenses would stand tall though-out the second quarter, and it was not until there was 33 seconds left in the half that Michigan finally got on the board with a ten yard touchdown pass from Warren to Colston Loveland. The Wolverines would try for two but fail to convert on the play making the score 7-6 in favor of the Spartans. Michigan’s defense would come up big as Josaiah Stewart forced a fumble on a sack giving the ball back to the Wolverines in Spartan territory with 23 seconds left before halftime. Warren would complete a pass to Donovan Edwards to move Michigan into the red-zone with six seconds remaining on the clock. Michigan would take advantage of the turnover and get three more points on a 37 yard field goal by Dominic Zvada to make it 9-7 at the break.
The Wolverines started the second half with the ball and behind a big 29 yard run by Alex Orji, Michigan would get into MSU territory again. With the momentum behind them, the Maize and Blue moved the ball downfield and eventually found themselves back in the red-zone. Then on a second and goal, Orji rushed the ball into the end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the season, increasing the Wolverines lead to nine points, 16-7. Later in the 3rd quarter, MSU would keep the game within a one touchdown difference as Kim kicked a 46 yard field goal to make the score 16-10. This would be the score going into the final quarter of play that was sure to be a nail biter.
Michigan continued their drive in the fourth quarter that had started with a personal foul penalty for targeting to Michigan State’s Jordan Turner, a key defensive player and team captain for the Spartans. Turner was ejected for the targeting call and would have to sit out the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game for Michigan State. The penalty put the Wolverines back onto the Spartan’s side of the field and a couple plays later, Michigan used a trick play to score and give themselves their biggest lead of the game. The play involved Running Back Edwards, who received the toss from Quarterback Warren. With everyone expecting a run, Edwards then stepped back and threw 23 yards to Colston Loveland for his second touchdown reception of the game. It was Michigan in control 22-10 after that play. The Wolverines would then go for two and convert, making it 24-10 early in the fourth.
MSU scored another touchdown with about six minutes left in the game when Aidan Chiles threw to Nick Marsh for a 20 yard score, giving the Spartan faithful some hope for a comeback. After forcing Michigan to go three and out, Down 17-24, Michigan State would get the ball back and have a chance with just under five minutes left. Behind some key runs by Carter, who finished the game with 118 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards, MSU drove the ball down to the Michigan 16 yard line. Being down by seven points, a field goal would not suffice and the Spartans needed to get the ball into the end zone one last time. On fourth and five, Michigan’s defense would prevail and force Chiles into an incomplete pass.
Michigan would take over on downs with two minutes remaining in the game. But wait, MSU had all their timeouts remaining and if the Spartan defense could force a three and out, they’d have one last try. However Michigan would run the ball, forcing timeouts by MSU to be used. QB Orji would run for two key first downs for the Wolverines, the second one on a third and five which ran the clock down to just 27 seconds left. Michigan was then able to take a knee to run the clock out and triumph in the rivalry game for the third straight year.
While the success in taking care of the ball was key to the victory for the Wolverines (zero turnovers in game), the Quarterback play was also instrumental. Warren threw for 123 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions for Michigan. Orji ran for 64 yards and led Michigan in rushing yards in the game. Despite giving up 352 total yards in offense (174 of which came from Carter of MSU), the Wolverine defense also came up with some critical stops and had three sacks and five tackles for loss.
Chiles threw for 189 yards in the game and had one touchdown without any interceptions for the Spartans. Carter’s 118 rushing yards led all rushers in the game. Malik Spencer led all tacklers with ten total in the game.
Both Michigan and Michigan State will have tough games coming up next week as they play undefeated teams. Michigan (5-3) will host the No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks (8-0) in Ann Arbor. Michigan State (4-4) will also have a home game and welcome the No. 13 ranked Indiana Hoosiers (8-0) to Spartan Stadium.
Final Score: Michigan 24 – Michigan State 17