Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins threw for a touchdown and Edwin Baker, Le’Veon Bell and Larry Caper each ran for one. The Spartans had 536 yards of total offense.
Heisman Trophy candidate Denard Robinson and Michigan (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten) struggled with three interceptions, two in the Red Zone. He was 17 of 29 for 215 yards. He only managed 86 on the ground in 21 attempts.
Michigan State senior center, John Stipek celebrates with the Paul Bunyan Trophy for the third straight year. State remains unbeaten and the Wolverines drop to 5-1. Photo Jonathon Knight, ROLCO SPORTS NETWO
Cousins, avoided turning the ball over and threw for 284 yards. He recorded his 12th 200-yard passing game of his career, throwing for 284 yards, 18-25 and no picks.
After the game Dantonio said, “You embrace a rivalry, that’s the way I’ve coached wherever I’ve been. It’s good for college football, and it’s good for fans.” It is the second week MSU has beaten a ranked opponent.
U. of M. coach Rich Rodriguez said, “There is a laundry list of things that we need to get better at, and we’ve got a good football team coming in. I think our guys will take it serious and know what we’ve got to work on. We’ll start back to work on Monday.”
The teams play for the Paul Bunyan Trophy each year and at the end of the game with the Spartans celebrating in ‘The Big House’, ABC announcer, Sean McDonough had the best quip of the day, “They may have to pay property taxes for the Paul Bunyan Trophy in East Lansing.” The crowd was 113,065, the second largest in Michigan Stadium history.
Illinois visits MSU and Iowa will be at Michigan for Saturday’s Big Ten matchups.