Introduction
Michigan State pulled off a big upset on Saturday night. The Spartans beat Michigan 15-6 in Ann Arbor. Michigan State had lost six games in a row before this one. The win also ended a 13-game losing streak in Big Ten games. A losing streak is a run of games lost in a row. The Spartans took home the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the prize the winner of this rivalry gets to keep.
What Happened
Michigan State won 15-6 at Michigan Stadium on November 7. Kicker Liam Boyd made all five of his field goals. A field goal is a kick through the goalposts worth three points. The Spartans led 6-0 at halftime. They went ahead 9-0 late in the third quarter on a drive that lasted 17 plays and covered 79 yards. Michigan scored with 1:35 left on a 1-yard run by Savion Hiter. The score kept Michigan from being shut out for the first time since 2014. A shutout is when a team scores no points at all. Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic threw for 188 yards without a turnover. Brandon Tullis ran for a career-high 86 yards for the Spartans.
Why People Are Talking About It
People are talking about this game because it was a huge upset. Michigan State came in with a 2-6 record, and Michigan was the favorite at home. The Spartans’ defense forced four turnovers and had five sacks. A turnover is when a team loses the ball to the other team. A sack is when the defense tackles the quarterback behind the line. Michigan’s offense had a very hard day. The Wolverines were held to just 54 yards rushing, and quarterback Tommy Carr threw two interceptions. An interception is a pass caught by the other team. Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said he was as disappointed as he has ever been as a head coach.
What Happens Next
Michigan State will host Washington on Saturday. The Spartans will try to build on this win and end the season on a high note. Michigan will play at Oregon on Saturday. The Wolverines need to fix their offense fast. Their season has fallen short of hopes after they started the year ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25.
Final Thoughts
This game shows why rivalry games are so fun to watch. The team with the worse record can still win on the day. Michigan State’s defense and its kicker won the game. Michigan will have a lot of questions to answer this week. Spartans fans will remember this win for a long time.
Sources: ESPN