By Alana Lundgaard
In an up-for-grabs matchup at the Big House against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday night, MSU football ended up in the losing column for the third straight time against its most heated rival.
A critical quarterback error to end the first half and major missteps in the third quarter for a mostly refined Spartan defense this season allowed the Wolverines to rebound from a slow start and keep the Paul Bunyan trophy in Ann Arbor for another year.
Head coach Jonathan Smith and MSU had the momentum entering Saturday after a statement win last weekend, facing a Michigan team lacking a pulse offensively and confidence and health on defense. But as the Wolverines ran the clock out to secure their 24-17 win, the reality set in for the Spartans.
“We believe we should’ve won this game,” redshirt junior running back Nate Carter said postgame.
As it has in many of its big games this season, MSU started out with an edge. On the other side, Michigan lacked similar juice and it showed.
After starting three quarterbacks in seven games, Michigan turned to senior Davis Warren Saturday to get the job done. There was little motion by Michigan’s offense early as it struggled to advance the ball downfield, gaining just 15 yards through one minute and 39 seconds of possession time in the first quarter.
MSU was dominant on its first two drives, attacking the line of scrimmage in the run game. Michigan’s highly touted defensive front looked out of sync as Carter saw early success en route his best game of the season, leading MSU in rushing and receiving with 19 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown and two receptions for 56 yards. The Spartans drove inside the five-yard line each time but could only get seven points out of it.
With a 7-6 lead right before halftime, MSU could’ve ran out the clock but chose to push the ball downfield. Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles fumbled in MSU’s territory and Michigan took over, kicking a field goal to take the lead.
Trailing 9-7 at the half after controlling most of the first 30 minutes of play proved to be demoralizing for the Spartans. Tides turned in the second half and the MSU defense came out looking unorganized for one of just a few times this season. On the Wolverines’ first drive, they previewed the next 30 minutes of play by walking MSU’s defense down the field and punching it in from two yards out with quarterback Alex Orji.
With three minutes left in the third quarter after kicking a field goal to make it 16-10, MSU attempted an onside kick, which resulted in a penalty and flipped the field position and momentum right back to its rivals. Later in the quarter, MSU redshirt senior linebacker Jordan Turner was ejected for targeting.
It was a close call, one that needed a video review. The 15-yard penalty extended Michigan’s touchdown drive to go up 24-10.
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland was a problem for MSU, consistently found open by Warren, finishing with six catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns.
With six minutes left in the game, the Spartans stayed in it with a third-down touchdown strike to freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh, coming back with one possession at 24-17. They got a stop on the ensuing drive and had the chance to tie the game or even take the lead.
MSU came close, driving inside the red zone but turning it over on downs on one final gasp from Chiles. Michigan picked up two first downs without much difficulty and walked away with the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
“There was just too many missed opportunities” Carter said.
MSU’s offense struggled in the second half along with the defense, resurfacing red zone struggles in a 2-for-4 effort.
The Spartans have picked up a few wins they’ll look back on with pride, but their fight for a bowl game appearance this winter is still dependent on wins down the road in unfavorable circumstances.
MSU moves to 4-4 on the season and 2-3 in the Big Ten after its first loss to Michigan in the Smith era.
