Michigan 32, Michigan State 23 Comment Count

Ace



[Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog]

You reap what you sow.

Facing a fourth-and-goal down 20 points in the fourth quarter, Mark Dantonio went the James Franklin route and called for a field goal. The football gods did not look kindly upon this act of cowardice; Michael Geiger missed the 34-yard attempt.

Dantonio almost certainly regretted that decision when the Spartans cut it to a two-score game midway through the fourth. Instead of having a shot at a miracle, they ran out of time—a Donnie Corley touchdown catch with a second remaining on the clock only brought the deficit to seven. To keep up appearances, or something like that, Dantonio called for a two-point conversion.

This also backfired, and in spectacular fashion. Jabrill Peppers capped a game worthy of a Heisman contender by returning an MSU fumble 98 yards for two points. The subsequent onside kick that didn't matter bounced harmlessly out of bounds, and Peppers got one final opportunity to display his athleticism when, perhaps as an homage to Braylon Edwards, he backflipped following the victory-formation kneeldown.



[Fuller]

While it wasn't the blowout most expected, it wasn't as close as the final score indicates, either. Michigan absorbed MSU's best shot on the opening drive, a 12-play, 75-yard march featuring 11 LJ Scott touches capped by a five-yard TD run. The Wolverines hit back by going 80 yards in eight plays with Eddie McDoom's 20-yard jet sweep setting up a three-yard Jabrill Peppers keeper to even the score. They gained the upper hand on the ensuing possession when Maurice Hurst slashed into the backfield to force Gerald Holmes into the unforgiving grasp of Peppers on a fourth-and-one.

From that point forward, Michigan was in command. Two De'Veon Smith touchdowns—one featuring a delighful smashing of Riley Bullough at the goal line—and a Kenny Allen field goal were the result of the next three Wolverine possessions, and MSU could only muster a field goal in the interim; Smith's second score gave M a 24-10 lead with 33 seconds left in the half, and it seemed safe to assume that would be the halftime score.

Tyler O'Connor had other plans, which quickly went awry. Instead of running out the clock, O'Connor heaved a pass towards RJ Shelton while under heavy duress from Taco Charlton, and Jourdan Lewis got his hands under it for the pick. Michigan got off four plays in 27 seconds; Amara Darboh, who had a career-high 165 yards in his best game as a Wolverine, drew a pass interference in the end zone to set up a chip shot Allen field goal as the half came to a close. Suddenly, it was a three-score game.



[Patrick Barron/MGoBlog]

The 27-10 halftime margin would hold for the entire third quarter due to the goal-line heroics of the defense. In an otherwise stellar game, Wilton Speight made a significant error to open the second half, failing to see MSU corner Darian Hicks while targeting Karan Higdon on a wheel route. Hicks cut off the throw for an interception, and within two plays the Spartans had a first-and-goal.

Michigan State ran seven plays inside Michigan's ten-yard line on that possession, getting second life when Peppers was hit with a pass interference flag on third down. On play seven, Lewis crashed down on a fourth-down pitch to Scott and upended him in the backfield, ending the drive with authority.

After Kenny Allen struck a 45-yarder true to begin the fourth quarter, MSU went into desperation mode, inserting Damion Terry at quarterback on the ill-fated field goal drive, then switching to Brian Lewerke after a Michigan punt. The offense couldn't quite put the Spartans away, however, and Lewerke had a chance to make it a one-score game on fourth down with a little under two minutes on the clock.

The defensive line got serious heat on Lewerke, however, and Peppers cleaned up with a crushing sack. Michigan wore down some clock before MSU's desultory final drive while Jon Falk brought the Paul Bunyan trophy back to its rightful place in the Wolverine locker room.

Michigan State has lost six in a row. Michigan is 8-0 with one rival in the clear and three games to get through before a potential Big Ten East title game. While it took one year longer than any of us wanted, the in-state rivalry is, at long last, as it should be.

Comments

bronxblue

October 29th, 2016 at 6:00 PM ^

Gawd, some people around here can't ever be happy. It was a good win by UM against an MSU team playing the only game that matters to them. People need to relax.

The Reeve

October 29th, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^

That's not the point. This was not a win over a good Spartan team. This is a freaking team that gave up 54 points to Northwestern. This is a team that got trucked by Maryland. This is a team that was down 17 points as we approached the red zone, and the coaching staff imploded and let them back in the game. Like it or not, style points count if we legitimately have bigger goals. All we did was put on tape how our defense can be beat.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

October 29th, 2016 at 6:00 PM ^

I understand the perspective by Ace but college football is 60 minutes.  The score indicates the closeness. If MSU scores with 2 1/2 minutes left then it would have been very tight. The refs certainly kept the score closer with their refusal to call MSU for blatant holding and other calls like the Price catch. They wanted the vast underdog to stay in the game.

As noted by a few others, this felt like Carr style game management by Harbaugh.  Up 30-10 with the ball a couple of times, the playcalling and energy on O went into a shell. JH flinched today, IMO, and relied far too much on the D in the 2nd half.

UM was the better team and we played down to their level.  Need to improve a lot if this group is going to beat OSU and do anything in the playoffs. 

MichiganMan20

October 29th, 2016 at 7:16 PM ^

People need to stop with the "almost" beat us stuff. It was clear the only reason they got back in the game was because we got conservative. Can't you just be happy we got the win? I know I am. We'll have plenty of opportunities to blow them out in the following years. This I'm sure of.




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GoBlueGoWings

October 29th, 2016 at 6:14 PM ^

Mork had his team fighting to the end. If I am an MSU fan I am thinking, "Where has this been all year."  

I never thought it was going to be a blow out. If you did and are pissed, well I am sorry. 

Let MSU fans take the moral victory. I will take the real victory. 

I want the blow out for OSU.

1975Blue

October 29th, 2016 at 6:24 PM ^

I expected a close game, and picked Mich to win 24-21.  MSU has underperformed this season, and Mich is playing their first real road game against their instate rival.  I was happy with the win, and thought the blowout predictions were too optimistic (37-0 per Brian).    

SD Larry

October 29th, 2016 at 6:39 PM ^

solid analysis Ace.  It is a good win and it is great to be 8 and 0.  MSU put up their best

fight,  got away with a lot of second half holding, and managed to hang around at a distance. I kept thinking the game was just about over and out of reach, but that went feeling on for over an hour until Peppers ran the two point conversion back in a beautiful 95 yard sprint.

MichLax

October 29th, 2016 at 7:31 PM ^

I feel really sorry for the fans who can't handle a little adversity. This is the most fun I've had in 10 years, I love everything about this team and the ride we're on. Many here don't deserve this team.

claire

October 29th, 2016 at 7:39 PM ^

MSU has good players

MSU players have been quitting the last few weeks

MSU didn't quit today and the game was semi-competitive

MSU will get completely rolled next year...mark my words