It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win. A fourth win in four years for the Spartans over their bitter instate rival the Michigan Wolverines. A team that prior to 2008 beat Michigan State seven straight years and who still leads the overall series 34-23-2.
But the overall series doesn’t matter, what matters is now and right now Michigan State is the better football team in the great State of Michigan.
Like I said though, it wasn’t pretty.
The Spartans gave Michigan just about every opportunity to win the game, but they didn’t.
In total, Michigan State had 13 penalties for a total of 124 yards. Any other day that could have met certain doom for Michigan State. Or how about B.J. Cunningham’s fumble or Edwin Baker’s for that matter? Again Michigan couldn’t capitalize and were choking in the dust of the Spartans.
Everything that Michigan State had to do right they certainly did.
The offensive line that was mostly seen as a liability gave senior QB Kirk Cousins protection and plenty of time in the pocket. Cousins ended up going 13 of 24 for 120 yards and 2 TDs.
The o-line also provided the runners some room to run.
Edwin Baker was able to spread the game out as he ran for 167 yards and 1 touchdown.
The defense though was once again the story for Michigan State.
After their dominating performance against Ohio State a couple of weeks ago, the Spartan D was able to do it again limiting Michigan to 250 total yards. And like last year they were once again able to shut down the elusive Denard Robinson. Robinson was 9 of 24 for 123 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. That one interception ended up being a costly one as State defender Isaiah Lewis was able to pick off the Michigan QB and run it back for a touchdown, seemingly icing the game for the Spartans. Robinson was also limited on the ground to 18 attempts for only 42 yards.
Michigan failed to develop a running game outside of Robinson as Vincent Smith only had 8 carries for 37 yards.
What may have been the final tide turner for Michigan State though was when the defense was able stop Michigan on a 4th and inches in Spartan territory in the 4th quarter. First year head coach Brady Hoke decided to roll the dice instead of going for the field goal and it costed them. The Spartans were able to once again get at Denard Robinson, sack him for a 10 yard loss and a turnover on downs.
Michigan State now improves to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten. Up next, the Spartans welcome in the Wisconsin Badgers a much improved team than what they saw last year.
Ref: Lansing State Journal, Lansing State Journal (image), ESPN
