Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry

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Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry
Michigan Wolverines logo.svg
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State Spartans script.svg
Michigan State Spartans
First meetingOctober 12, 1898
Michigan, 39–0
Latest meetingOctober 31, 2020
Michigan State, 27–24
Next meetingOctober 30, 2021
TrophyPaul Bunyan Trophy
Statistics
Meetings total113
All-time recordMichigan leads, 71–37–5[1]
Trophy seriesMichigan leads, 38–28–2
Longest win streakMichigan, 14 (1916–1929)
Current win streakMichigan State, 1 (2020–present)
[Interactive fullscreen map]
Locations of Michigan and Michigan State

The Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State University Spartans. The teams first played in 1898 and have met 113 times. The winner of each year's game receives the Paul Bunyan – Governor of Michigan Trophy, a four-foot wooden statue of a lumberjack that was first presented in 1953 to commemorate Michigan State's beginning football competition as a member of the Big Ten Conference.


Michigan leads the series with an overall record of 71–37–5, though the series has seen several ebbs and flows during which one team or the other has experienced periods of dominance. In the earliest years of the rivalry from 1898 to 1933, Michigan was the dominant program with a record of 23–2–3. The Spartans' first victories were in 1913 and 1915 under head coach John Macklin. Prior to 1958, 44 of the 50 games were played on Michigan's home field. The teams began alternating home fields in 1958.

The Spartans had four consecutive victories from 1934 to 1937 under head coach Charlie Bachman. With the arrival of Fritz Crisler as Michigan's head coach in 1938, the Wolverines then won 12 consecutive games. During the 1950s and 1960s, under head coaches Biggie Munn and Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans had their most prolonged period of success against the Wolverines, compiling a record of 14–4–2.

The pendulum shifted back to the Wolverines under Bo Schembechler and his successors, as Michigan won 30 of 38 contests from 1970 to 2007. After Mike Hart's statement in 2007 referring to the Spartans as the Wolverines' "little brother", the Spartans reasserted themselves under head coach Mark Dantonio, winning seven of eight games from 2008 to 2015. From 2016 to 2019, Michigan won three out of four, but the Spartans won the 2020 game under new head coach Mel Tucker.

Paul Bunyan Trophy[]

The Paul Bunyan Trophy on display at Michigan State in 2009

In 1953, the "Paul Bunyan – Governor of Michigan Trophy", or simply the Paul Bunyan Trophy, was introduced into the rivalry. It is a four-foot tall wooden statue of Paul Bunyan, the giant lumberjack of American folklore, mounted on a five-foot base. It reflects Michigan's history as a major lumber-producing state. The trophy was first presented by Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams to commemorate Michigan State's first year elevated to football competition in the Big Ten Conference.[2]

Prior to awarding the first trophy win in 1953, Michigan enjoyed an overwhelming 33-9-3 non-trophy series advantage leading athletic director and former head coach Fritz Crisler's plan to reportedly refuse the trophy if Michigan had won the game. Crisler's protests turned out to be irrelevant, as Michigan State won the first trophy game afterwards displaying it in Jenison Fieldhouse.[citation needed]

The following year in 1954, the trophy was left on the field for half an hour after Michigan defeated the Spartans. "We'll find a place for the trophy," Crisler told The Michigan Daily after the game. The Paul Bunyan Trophy was stored in the Michigan Stadium locker room in one of the equipment closets.[3]

Despite winning in 1954 and 1955, Michigan did not engrave their scores onto the neglected trophy. When the Spartans won in 1956, they engraved the Wolverine victories onto the trophy.[3] The Spartans possessed the trophy for the next eight years, tied for the longest the trophy has remained at one school, and part of a streak during which the Paul Bunyan Trophy was in East Lansing for 11 of 12 years.

The 1958 game ended in a 12–12 tie. The favored Spartans were so embarrassed that they didn't win, they originally refused to keep the trophy while Michigan also refused. Michigan State eventually relented and kept the trophy.[3]

In 1999, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr called it "the ugliest trophy in college football", but added: "When you don't have him, you miss him."[4]

Notable games[]

1898: The first game[]

The first game in the rivalry was played in Ann Arbor on October 12, 1898, with Michigan defeating Michigan Agricultural College, 39–0. The Detroit Free Press wrote that the contest was "essentially a practice game," as Michigan played 25 different players during the game. Charles Widman scored two touchdowns, and Leo J. Keena kicked a field goal from a place-kick, "the first time a Michigan eleven has ever scored in that fashion."[5][6] After the 1898 shutout, Michigan sent its freshman team against Michigan Agricultural for the next three years.[7]

1902: The "Point-a-Minute" team scores 119 in 38 minutes[]

Michigan's undefeated 1902 team outscored opponents by a total of 644 to 12 and became known as the second of head coach Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams. The Wolverines defeated Michigan Agricultural by a score of 119–0.[8] Michigan was held on downs only once in the game, as right halfback Albert Herrnstein returned a kickoff the length of the field and scored seven touchdowns in all. The game was played in halves of 20 and 18 minutes. With 119 points in 38 minutes of play, Yost's Point-a-Minute squad averaged 3.1 points per minute against the Aggies. After the game, The Newark Advocate wrote: "Michigan has undoubtedly the fastest scoring team in the world, and the Ann Arbor boys play Yosts' 'hurry up' formations like clock work. It requires a fast team to take the ball, line up and score 119 points, even if they have no opponents in two 20 minute halves."[9]

1908: First game in East Lansing and first tie[]

In 1908, the game was played for the first time in East Lansing, before 6,000 spectators at East Lansing's College Field. When the game ended in a scoreless tie, the Aggies' fans "went wild with delight".[10] In Ann Arbor, the result was met with disbelief among Michigan fans who had expected an easy win.[11] The Detroit Free Press called it "the greatest game of football ever seen in this part of the state."[10]

1910: MAC's undefeated season spoiled[]

Cover art from program for the November 1918 football game between the University of Michigan and Michigan Agricultural College

On October 15, 1910, Michigan beat Michigan Agricultural 6–3 at Ferry Field. In games against other opponents, the 1910 Michigan Agricultural team compiled a record of 6–0 and outscored opponents 165 to 2 (including a 17–0 victory over Notre Dame).[12][13] Prior to the Michigan game, the M. A. C. student body adopted the slogan, "On to Michigan."[14] After a scoreless first half, the Aggies blocked two punts in the third quarter. On the second occasion, the punt was blocked and rolled to Michigan's 12-yard line where the Aggies recovered the ball. Leon Hill kicked a field goal from the 21-yard line, and the Aggies' maintained a 3–0 lead into the fourth quarter. With less than five minutes left in the game, Michigan quarterback Shorty McMillan completed a pass to Stanley Borleske who ran 50 yards to the Aggies' 15-yard line. Due to a penalty, the Wolverines had five unsuccessful chances to score the touchdown after advancing to the three-yard line. Michigan then lined up for a field goal, but the play was a fake. Don Green took the snap from center and ran for the touchdown.[15][16]

1913 and 1915: M.A.C.'s first victories[]

1913 football game between Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) and the University of Michigan

On October 18, 1913, Michigan Agricultural secured its first victory over Michigan, 12–7. The Aggies' fullback, George E. Julian, scored two touchdowns, and Blake Miller returned a Michigan fumble 45 yards for a touchdown.[17][18] Miller suffered a blow to the head during the game and was hospitalized in serious condition.[19] After the game, The Michigan Alumnus made note of the Aggies' potential as an athletic threat: "This victory with the football tie in 1908, and the Farmers' clean sweep in baseball in 1912, point to the fact that M.A.C. will bear watching by Michigan."[20]

In 1915, the Aggies again defeated Michigan, 24–0. Neno DaPrato scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal for the Aggies. In the Detroit Free Press, E. A. Batchelor summed up the game: "Twenty-four to nothing sounds like a horrible beating but it doesn't even begin to express how completely the M.A.C. team outplayed and outfought Michigan's. It wasn't merely a defeat for the Maize and Blue but a massacre, a rout, an annihilation. . . . Michigan was beaten in everything. In music, cheering, fighting and playing football, the Aggies just naturally outclassed their foemen so badly that the Maize and Blue crowd could find no single straw at which to clutch as it drowned in a sea of tears."[21] The victory was the second in three years against the Wolverines under head coach John Macklin.

1934: MSU snaps Michigan's 22-game unbeaten streak[]

In 1934, Michigan State coach Charlie Bachman led the Spartans to a 16–0 victory in Ann Arbor. Michigan State dominated the game statistically with 182 yards from scrimmage to 72 for Michigan, and with 15 first downs to three for Michigan.[22] The loss broke Michigan's 22-game unbeaten streak dating back to October 1931. It was also the Spartans' first victory over the Wolverines since 1915 and only the third in 29 games. After the game, a group of Michigan State supporters rushed the field and attempted to tear down the goal posts at the north end of the field. Michigan fans then charged the field to protect the goal posts. Fist fights ensued, and the "rioting" continued for 20 minutes.[22] Bachman's Spartans continued to dominate with a 25–6 victory in 1935, a 21–7 victory in 1936, and a 19–14 victory in 1937.

1940: The Tom Harmon game[]

In 1940, Michigan defeated Michigan State by a 21 to 14 score. Michigan halfback Tom Harmon scored all 21 points for Michigan, running for three touchdowns and kicking the extra points as well.[23] Harmon went on to win the 1940 Heisman Trophy.

1947: Crisler's "Mad Magicians" spoil "Biggie" Munn's debut[]

In 1947, "Biggie" Munn took over as Michigan State's head coach. Munn had been an assistant coach at Michigan under Fritz Crisler from 1938 to 1945. On September 27, 1947, Munn made his debut as the Spartans' head coach, playing his former mentor in Ann Arbor. In one of the first football televised football games in the State of Michigan (broadcast on WWJ-TV), Michigan won by a 55–0 score, outgaining the Spartans by 504 yards to 56.[24][25] The 1947 Michigan team, regarded as one of the best in school history, became known as the "Mad Magicians". Michigan went on to complete back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1947 and 1948.

1950 to 1953: Munn's Spartans win four in a row[]

For the second time in series history, Michigan State won four consecutive games against Michigan from 1950 to 1953. In these peak years of the "Biggie" Munn era, the Spartans lost only two games in four years. The 1950 team was ranked No. 8 and defeated Michigan, 14–7. The 1951 team was ranked No. 2 and defeated Michigan, 25–0. The undefeated 1952 team won the national championship and defeated Michigan, 27–13. And the 1953 team was ranked No. 3, won the Big Ten championship in its first year of conference play, and defeated Michigan, 14–6.

1956: No. 2 vs. No. 5[]

In 1956, the teams met with the Spartans ranked No. 2 and the Wolverines ranked No. 5 – the highest combined ranking in series history. After a scoreless first half in which Michigan dominated statistically, turnovers led to two Michigan State scores. In the third quarter, the Spartans intercepted a pass at Michigan's 38-yard line, setting up a 20-yard field goal, and in the fourth quarter, the Spartans recovered a fumble at Michigan's 21-yard line, leading to a Spartan touchdown and the final margin of victory, 9–0.[26]

1969: Daugherty defeats Schembechler in his first season[]

In 1969, Bo Schembechler made his debut as Michigan's head coach. The Wolverines were ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll when they played Duffy Daugherty's Spartans. Led by halfback Don Highsmith (134 rushing yards and two touchdowns on a Big Ten record 30 carries) and quarterback Bill Triplett (143 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries), the Spartans beat Michigan and outgained the Wolverines on the ground by a total of 348 yards to 176.[27] The game was Michigan's only conference loss in 1969.

1978: Ed Smith to Kirk Gibson[]

In 1978, Michigan was ranked No. 5 when the unranked Spartans visited Ann Arbor. Michigan had won the previous eight series meetings, but quarterback Ed Smith led the Spartans to a 24–15 upset win. Smith passed for 248 yards, including five completions to flanker Kirk Gibson for 82 yards. Michigan State's total of 496 yards (307 in the first half) was the most allowed by a Michigan team since 1961. Michigan quarterback Rick Leach, who had only one interception in Michigan's first four games, threw three in the first half.[28]

1990: "No. One vs. No One"[]

"No. One vs. No One" was the tag line used for the 1990 game.[29] Michigan came into the game ranked No. 1 in the country. With six seconds left, Elvis Grbac threw a touchdown pass to Derrick Alexander to make it 28–27 Michigan State. Michigan coach Gary Moeller elected to go for a two-point conversion for the win. Grbac threw an incomplete pass to Desmond Howard, but the play was controversial since a Spartan defender appeared to have interfered with Howard.[30] A columnist in The Detroit News wrote: "Michigan State cornerback Eddie Brown had tripped him. No discussion. No debate. It was a clear and obvious foul that a million and one eyes in the stands and on national television could see, but somehow not one single referee in this joint managed to catch a glimpse of."[31] The Wolverines then attempted an onside kick, which they recovered. Grbac scrambled and threw a Hail Mary that was tipped and intercepted to end the game.[30]

1997: Six interceptions en route to national championship[]

In 1997, ESPN College Gameday broadcast from East Lansing,[32] as No. 5 Michigan defeated No. 15 Michigan State, 23–7. The Wolverines intercepted six Spartan passes, five off Spartan quarterback Todd Schultz. The interceptions included a one-handed catch by eventual 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson after which he managed to get one foot in bounds on the sideline. Marcus Ray had a pair of interceptions.[33] Michigan completed the season undefeated and was recognized as the national champion in the AP Poll.

2001: "Clockgate" and "Spartan Bob"[]

Main article: 2001 Michigan vs. Michigan State football game
Michigan State warming up before the Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans football game at Spartan Stadium in 2001.

In the 2001 game, also known as "Clockgate", Michigan entered the game ranked No. 6 in the nation. With under three minutes left, the Spartans received the ball at midfield, trailing 24–20. A Michigan face mask penalty resulted in 15 yards and an automatic first down. Two plays later, the Wolverines were penalized for having 12 men on the field. Michigan State was incorrectly charged with their final timeout on that play; the Spartans should not have been because of the U-M penalty. With 17 seconds remaining, Michigan State quarterback Jeff Smoker attempted to scramble for a touchdown but was stopped at the one-yard line. The Spartans rushed to the line and spiked the ball, ostensibly with one second remaining on the clock. On the next play, Smoker threw a touchdown pass to T. J. Duckett to win the game, 26–24.

Michigan coaches, players, and the ABC broadcasters argued that the clock should have expired before the final play and that the timekeeper, "Spartan Bob" Stehlin, purposely stopped the clock before the ball was grounded.[34] Michigan commentator Frank Beckmann speculated that Michigan State had benefited from its home-field advantage, even calling the unfolding controversy "criminal".[35] As a result of the game, the Big Ten changed its timekeeping policy for the 2002 season, requiring that time be kept on the field by a neutral official.[36]

2004: Braylon Edwards leads the comeback[]

Despite being an underdog on the road in Ann Arbor, unranked Michigan State built up a 27–10 lead in the 4th quarter against #12 ranked Michigan. The Wolverines eventually awoke and added a 24 yard field goal by Garrett Rivas to cut the MSU lead to 14. Michigan recovered the ensuing onside kick and went down the field to make it a 27–20 MSU lead after a 36-yard touchdown reception by Braylon Edwards. Michigan's defense was able to force an MSU punt and once again, Edwards demonstrated late game heroics with an iconic 21-yard touchdown catch to knot the score at 27–27. Michigan scored 17 points in less than four minutes. A potential MSU game-winning field goal attempt fell short and the game went into overtime for the first time in series history. The teams traded field goals and touchdowns in the first two overtime periods, respectively. Another touchdown reception by Edwards and a successful two-point conversion put Michigan ahead, 45–37. MSU failed to answer with a touchdown and Michigan's comeback was complete with a 45–37 victory in triple overtime. Edwards amassed 189 yards receiving along with three touchdowns. Michigan's true freshman quarterback Chad Henne threw for 273 yards and four touchdowns.

2007: The "little brother" game[]

Mike Hart (20), coined the phrase "little brother" after the 2007 game, spurring Michigan State to win seven of the next eight games.

The 2007 game marked Michigan's sixth straight win over Michigan State. The Wolverines once again narrowly won with a comeback in the fourth quarter, winning 28–24.[37] Michigan quarterback Chad Henne led two touchdown drives in the final 7:35 of the game, completing touchdown passes to Greg Mathews and Mario Manningham, to lead the Wolverines back from a 24–14 deficit. Henne finished the game with 18 completions for 211 yards and four touchdowns, while Manningham had eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns.[38] After the game, the Michigan team held a "moment of silence" for Michigan State, a response to Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio making a comment about taking a "moment of silence" for Michigan after their embarrassing upset loss to Appalachian State at the beginning of the season.

In a post-game interview, Michigan running back Mike Hart referred to the Spartans as the Wolverines' "little brother." "I was just laughing,” Hart said of Michigan State taking the lead. "I thought it was funny. They got excited. Sometimes you get your little brother excited when you’re playing basketball, and you let him get the lead, and then you come back and take it back." Mark Dantonio later responded to Hart's comment: "I find a lot of the things they do amusing. They need to check themselves sometimes. But just remember, pride comes before the fall... This game is an important game. So they want to mock us all they want to mock us, I'm telling them: it's not over. So they can print that crap all they want all over their locker room. It's not over. It'll never be over here. It's just starting... I'm going to be a coach here for a long time. It's not over. It's just starting.".[39]

2008: Dantonio's promise kept -- "Pride Comes Before The Fall"[]

In 2008, Michigan scored on a pass to running back Brandon Minor, who was only able to get one foot on a pylon. The pass was initially called incomplete, but the play was reviewed and incorrectly ruled a touchdown. During halftime, ABC-TV displayed the NCAA rule on the broadcast screen and concluded that the replay official was incorrect in awarding the touchdown to Michigan; ABC indicated officials on the field had been correct in originally ruling the play incomplete. The Commissioner of the Big Ten later acknowledged that the call was wrong.[40] The two teams traded touchdowns for much of the game before the Spartans finally pulled away in the fourth quarter, winning 35–21.[41] Starting with the victory in 2008, Dantonio led the Spartans to victories in seven of the next eight games.

2012: Gibbons' field goal as time runs out[]

In 2012, the Wolverines defeated the Spartans, 12–10, for the first Michigan victory since 2007. Michigan did not score a touchdown but kicked four field goals. Michigan led, 9–7, in the fourth quarter, but the Spartans ran a fake punt on fourth-and-nine from their own 30-yard line. The gamble paid off, and the Spartans kicked a field goal to go up 10–9. Michigan was forced punt the ball away with four minutes left, but the Michigan defense forced a three-and-out and they got the ball back at their own 39 with 2:11 left. Denard Robinson completed a 20-yard pass on fourth down to advance to the Spartans' 25-yard line, With nine seconds left, Michigan spiked the ball and Brendan Gibbons lined up to kick a potential game-winning field goal. Mark Dantonio called time out to ice the kicker, but Gibbons split the uprights to win it for Michigan, 12–10. After the game, the students rushed the field in celebration. This was the 900th all-time win for the Wolverines, making them the first program to reach this level in college football history.

2013: −48 rushing yards[]

On November 2, 2013, in East Lansing, Michigan State dominated Michigan defensively, winning 29–6. Michigan QB Devin Gardner was sacked seven times and Michigan accumulated the fewest rushing yards for a game in its entire history (−48 yards). The Spartans held the Wolverines to their lowest point total in the series since 1967, the last time Michigan State had won by more than 20 points. This was the second game in a row that Michigan failed to score a touchdown against Michigan State. This game marked MSU's fifth win of the previous six games in the series.

2014: The stake game[]

Spartan Stadium in 2014 vs. Michigan

On October 25, 2014, as they were coming onto the East Lansing field prior to the game, the Michigan team drove a stake into the turf, angering the Spartans. Michigan finally scored its first touchdown against MSU in three years with just 3:40 remaining in the game, but, after Michigan made the 2-point conversion, Michigan State marched downfield and scored a final touchdown with 0:28 remaining. This was notable because four of the previous six games ended with the Spartans taking a knee inside the Michigan red zone, instead of adding a final score. In his postgame press conference, Mark Dantonio referenced the stake incident in explaining the decision to add a final touchdown. MSU won 35–11.[42]

2015: Trouble with the snap[]

On October 17, 2015, the game was played in Ann Arbor for the first time since 2012. The #12 Wolverines, led by first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, entered the game 5–1. The #7 Spartans came into the game 6–0. This was the first meeting of coaches Mark Dantonio and Harbaugh. Michigan scored first and did not trail until the final play of the game. Late in the 4th quarter, with the Wolverines leading 23–21, Michigan State drove into field goal range, but a sack pushed them outside the 40. They failed to convert on 4th and long, giving Michigan the ball and seemingly the victory. However, with 10 seconds left in the game, Michigan was faced with a 4th and short and decided to punt. Michigan State pressured with all 11 defenders while Michigan sent players downfield to cover the punt. The numeric mismatch on the line allowed easy penetration while the Wolverine long-snapper quick-snapped a low ball bobbled by the punter. Michigan punter Blake O'Neill had trouble with the snap; the ball was free and picked up by Michigan State’s Jalen Watts-Jackson, and he scored on the last play of the game. The final margin of victory for MSU was 27-23.[43] Michigan State did not lead at any point in the game until time expired, but they outgained Michigan in the contest 386 to 230 yards.[44][45][46]

2017: The first night game[]

On October 7, 2017, Michigan and Michigan State met for the first night game in series history. The game was held in Ann Arbor and broadcast by ABC, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on the call. Michigan came into the game ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll and 4–0 on the season. The Michigan State Spartans came into the game unranked at 3–1 on the season, with their only loss at that point to Notre Dame in East Lansing. After an early Wolverine field goal, Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke ran 13 yards for a touchdown and later threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Madre London to give the Spartans a 14–3 lead at halftime. The second half was played in heavy rain and winds. Michigan State forced five turnovers (two fumbles and three interceptions) in the game. Michigan scored a touchdown in the third quarter and attempted a Hail Mary pass in the closing seconds, but a deflection by MSU's Joe Bachie in the endzone cemented the Spartans' 14–10 win. The win was the Spartans' eighth in 10 games against Michigan. Michigan finished the season unranked, while Michigan State was ranked No. 15 in the final AP poll.

2018: Pregame skirmish[]

On October 20, 2018, Michigan defeated Michigan State, 21–7. The Wolverines gained 395 yards and held the Spartans to 94 yards. The Spartans were late in conducting their traditional pregame walk down the field, and when they did so, several Michigan players had already taken the field for warmups. The Spartans walked, arms linked, through the Michigan players, resulting in a skirmish. After the Spartans left the field, Michigan linebacker Devin Bush tore up the Spartans' midfield logo with his cleats. After the game, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh claimed the Spartans clothes-lined one Michigan player and ripped the headphones off another and added: "Total bush league. Apparently, coach Dantonio was five yards behind it all smiling." Michigan State coach Dantonio referred to Harbaugh's comments as "BS".[47][48] The Big Ten issued reprimands to both teams afterwards, including a $10,000 fine against Michigan State, having found that the Spartans violated the conference's sportsmanship policy by walking across the field with linked arms and initiating contact with multiple Michigan players "who were legitimately on the field". The conference also reprimanded Dantonio for "failing to take action to mitigate a foreseeable conflict from occurring". Devin Bush was also reprimanded for grinding his cleats into the Spartan logo, as was Harbaugh for his post-game comments.[49] For their parts in the incident, Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press referred to Harbaugh and Dantonio as "the new Bo and Woody".[50]

2020: Halloween upset[]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the game was rescheduled and played on Halloween for the first time ever. Coming into the game, Michigan was ranked 13th in the AP poll after a dominating victory on the road against Minnesota 49–24, while Michigan State lost to Rutgers 38–27, a game that ended the Spartans' 19–game win streak in home openers and Rutgers' 21-game Big Ten losing streak dating back to 2017.[51] Despite Michigan being 21.5 point favorites and ESPN's Football Power Index giving Michigan State just a 6.6% chance at winning, the Spartans beat the Wolverines 27–24 to reclaim the Paul Bunyan Trophy. [52] This win also made Mel Tucker the first Michigan State head coach to beat Michigan in his first season since Nick Saban in 1995, as well as only the third head coach of either program to win his first game in the rivalry as head coach in the past 75 years (the others being Saban and Bennie Oosterbaan).[citation needed]

Accomplishments by the two rivals[]

As of January 1, 2021.[53]

Team Michigan Michigan State
National titles 11 6
CFP appearances 0 1
Bowl appearances 48 29
Postseason bowl record 21–27 (.438) 13–16 (.448)
Rose Bowl appearances[54] 20 5
Rose Bowl wins[54] 8 4
Big Ten Championship Game appearances[55] 0 3
Big Ten Championship Game wins[55] 0 2
Big Ten titles 42 9
All-time program record 964–350–36 708–465–44

Game results[]

Michigan victoriesMichigan State victoriesTie games
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
1 1898 Ann Arbor Michigan 39–2
2 1902 Ann Arbor Michigan 119–0
3 1907 Ann Arbor Michigan 46–0
4 1908 East Lansing Tie0–0
5 1910 Ann Arbor Michigan 6–3
6 1911 East Lansing Michigan 15–3
7 1912 Ann Arbor Michigan 55–7
8 1913 Ann Arbor Michigan State 12–7
9 1914 East Lansing Michigan 3–0
10 1915 Ann Arbor Michigan State 24–0
11 1916 Ann Arbor Michigan 9–0
12 1917 Ann Arbor Michigan 27–0
13 1918 Ann Arbor Michigan 21–6
14 1919 Ann Arbor Michigan 26–0
15 1920 Ann Arbor Michigan 35–0
16 1921 Ann Arbor Michigan 30–0
17 1922 Ann Arbor Michigan 63–0
18 1923 Ann Arbor Michigan 37–0
19 1924 East Lansing Michigan 7–0
20 1925 Ann Arbor Michigan 39–0
21 1926 Ann Arbor Michigan 55–3
22 1927 Ann Arbor Michigan 21–0
23 1928 Ann Arbor Michigan 3–0
24 1929 Ann Arbor Michigan 17–0
25 1930 Ann Arbor Tie0–0
26 1931 Ann Arbor Tie0–0
27 1932 Ann Arbor Michigan 26–0
28 1933 Ann Arbor Michigan 20–6
29 1934 Ann Arbor Michigan State 16–0
30 1935 Ann Arbor Michigan State 25–6
31 1936 Ann Arbor Michigan State 21–7
32 1937 Ann Arbor Michigan State 19–14
33 1938 Ann Arbor Michigan 14–0
34 1939 Ann Arbor Michigan 26–13
35 1940 Ann Arbor Michigan 21–14
36 1941 Ann Arbor Michigan 19–7
37 1942 Ann Arbor Michigan 20–0
38 1945 Ann Arbor Michigan 40–0
39 1946 Ann Arbor No. 11 Michigan 55–7
40 1947 Ann Arbor Michigan 55–0
41 1948 East Lansing Michigan 13–7
42 1949 Ann Arbor Michigan 7–3
43 1950 Ann Arbor No. 19 Michigan State 14–7
44 1951 Ann Arbor No. 2 Michigan State 25–0
45 1952 Ann Arbor No. 1 Michigan State 27–13
46 1953 East Lansing No. 4 Michigan State 14–6
47 1954 Ann Arbor No. 20 Michigan 33–7
48 1955 Ann Arbor No. 2 Michigan 14–7
49 1956 Ann Arbor No. 2 Michigan State 9–0
50 1957 Ann Arbor No. 2 Michigan State 35–6
51 1958 East Lansing Tie12–12
52 1959 Ann Arbor Michigan State 34–8
53 1960 East Lansing No. 13 Michigan State 24–17
54 1961 Ann Arbor No. 2 Michigan State 28–0
55 1962 East Lansing Michigan State 28–0
56 1963 Ann Arbor Tie7–7
57 1964 East Lansing No. 4 Michigan 17–10
58 1965 Ann Arbor No. 4 Michigan State 24–7
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
59 1966 East Lansing No. 1 Michigan State 20–7
60 1967 Ann Arbor Michigan State 34–0
61 1968 Ann Arbor Michigan 28–14
62 1969 East Lansing Michigan State 23–12
63 1970 Ann Arbor No. 6 Michigan 34–20
64 1971 East Lansing No. 2 Michigan 24–13
65 1972 Ann Arbor No. 5 Michigan 10–0
66 1973 East Lansing No. 5 Michigan 31–0
67 1974 Ann Arbor No. 4 Michigan 21–7
68 1975 East Lansing No. 8 Michigan 16–6
69 1976 Ann Arbor No. 1 Michigan 42–10
70 1977 East Lansing No. 3 Michigan 24–14
71 1978 Ann Arbor Michigan State 24–15
72 1979 East Lansing No. 11 Michigan 21–7
73 1980 Ann Arbor Michigan 27–23
74 1981 East Lansing No. 6 Michigan 38–20
75 1982 Ann Arbor Michigan 31–17
76 1983 East Lansing No. 14 Michigan 42–0
77 1984 Ann Arbor Michigan State 19–7
78 1985 East Lansing No. 3 Michigan 31–0
79 1986 Ann Arbor No. 4 Michigan 27–6
80 1987 East Lansing Michigan State 17–11
81 1988 Ann Arbor No. 17 Michigan 17–3
82 1989 East Lansing No. 5 Michigan 10–7
83 1990 Ann Arbor Michigan State 28–27
84 1991 East Lansing No. 5 Michigan 45–28
85 1992 Ann Arbor No. 3 Michigan 35–10
86 1993 East Lansing Michigan State 17–7
87 1994 Ann Arbor No. 9 Michigan 40–20
88 1995 East Lansing Michigan State 28–25
89 1996 Ann Arbor No. 9 Michigan 45–29
90 1997 East Lansing No. 5 Michigan 23–7
91 1998 Ann Arbor Michigan 29–17
92 1999 East Lansing No. 11 Michigan State 34–31
93 2000 Ann Arbor No. 16 Michigan 14–0
94 2001 East Lansing Michigan State 26–24
95 2002 Ann Arbor No. 15 Michigan 49–3
96 2003 East Lansing No. 13 Michigan 27–20
97 2004 Ann Arbor No. 14 Michigan 45–373OT
98 2005 East Lansing Michigan 34–31OT
99 2006 Ann Arbor No. 6 Michigan 31–13
100 2007 East Lansing No. 14 Michigan 28–24
101 2008 Ann Arbor Michigan State 35–21
102 2009 East Lansing Michigan State 26–20OT
103 2010 Ann Arbor No. 17 Michigan State 34–17
104 2011 East Lansing No. 23 Michigan State 28–14
105 2012 Ann Arbor No. 23 Michigan 12–10
106 2013 East Lansing No. 22 Michigan State 29–6
107 2014 East Lansing No. 8 Michigan State 35–11
108 2015 Ann Arbor No. 7 Michigan State 27–23
109 2016 East Lansing No. 2 Michigan 32–23
110 2017 Ann Arbor Michigan State 14–10
111 2018 East Lansing No. 6 Michigan 21–7
112 2019 Ann Arbor No. 15 Michigan 44–10
113 2020 Ann Arbor Michigan State 27–24
114 2021 East Lansing
Series: Michigan leads 71–37–5[1]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Winsipedia - Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans football series history". Winsipedia.
  2. ^ Doug Hills (2012). "Through the Years: The Paul Bunyan Trophy". Maize and Blue News. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Trophy has a history as big as its namesake Archived 2014-10-16 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  4. ^ "Carr wants to win 'ugliest trophy'". The Daily American. October 8, 1999. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Football". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1898. p. 60. Archived from the original on 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2015-11-19.("The feature of the game was a place kick for goal made by Keena from the 23-yard line.")
  6. ^ "Good Scores Rolled Up: Michigan Practiced on the M. A. C. for a Fair Total". Detroit Free Press. October 13, 1898. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Steve Grinczel. "Michigan State Football, pp. 7–8".
  8. ^ "Michigan Made 119 points: Almost Equaled Phenomenal Score Against Buffalo; Simply Rushed Ball Over the Aggie's Line at Will; Made Touchdown Oftener Than Once in Two Minutes". Detroit Free Press. October 9, 1902 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Wednesday's Football Results". The Newark Advocate. October 9, 1902.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "M.A.C. Holds Michigan to 0–0 Score and Goes Wild". Detroit Free Press. October 11, 1908. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Result of M.A.C. Game a Blow to Ann Arbor: Michigan Students Are Stunned by Poor Showing of Team Against Farmers". Detroit Free Press. October 12, 1908. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "2017 Football Media Guide" (PDF). Michigan State University. 2017. p. 147.
  13. ^ "Farmers' Best Football Year: Season Just Closed Most Successful in History of Athletics at East Lansing; Fitting Close to Coach Brewer's Term of Service; University of Michigan Only Team Able to Cross the Aggies' Final Chalk Mark". Detroit Free Press. December 3, 1910. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ ""On to Michigan" Is M.A.C. Slogan: About Five Hundred Rooters Will Accompany Team to Ann Arbor Saturday; Annual Battle Is Talk of Campus at Lansing; With Practically Green Squad Brewer's Team Must Face Yost's Seasoned Veterans". Detroit Free Press. October 9, 1910. p. B7 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Michigan Wins, 6–3: Aggies Give Yost's Men Hardest Kind of Battle, Leading at End of Third Period, by Virtue of Hill's Field Goal; Varsity's Touchdown Comes in Last Quarter; Forward Pass to Borleske and Long Run Bring Ball to One Yard Line, Where M. A. C. Makes Gamest Kind of Fight". Detroit Free Press. October 16, 1910. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Michigan 6; M.A.C. 3". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1910. pp. 93–94. Archived from the original on 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  17. ^ "M.A.C., 12; Michigan 7". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1913. p. 98. Archived from the original on 2016-05-29. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  18. ^ "Wolverines Fall Before M.A.C.: Michigan Aggies Beat Ann Arbor Eleven for First Time in History". Chicago Tribune. October 19, 1913. p. III-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Michigan A. C. Player Injured" (PDF). The New York Times. October 19, 1913.
  20. ^ "Michigan's Team – A General View". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1913. pp. 96–97. Archived from the original on 2016-05-29. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  21. ^ E. A. Batchelor (October 24, 1915). "M.A.C. Smothers Michigan Under A Score of 24 To 0". Detroit Free Press. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b M. F. Drukenbrod (October 7, 1934). "State Beats U. of M., 16-0, for First Time Since 1915 to End 3-Year Record: One Hurt as Fans' Fists Fly in Riot at Goalposts". Detroit Free Press. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "65,438 See Michigan Gain 21-14 Triumph; Harmon Scores All Points on Michigan State, Making His Two-Game Total 49; Spartans' Passes Click; Sophomore Pawlowski Grabs Tosses for Advances of 45 and 37 Yards to Tally". The New York Times. October 6, 1940.
  24. ^ "Wolverines Rout Spartans By 55-0: Chappuis Scores Three Times as Michigan Displays Its Running, Passing Skill". The New York Times. September 28, 1947.
  25. ^ 1948 Michiganensian, Michigan State game summary, p. 92.
  26. ^ Tommy Devine (October 7, 1956). "'Somebody' Smiles on MSU". Detroit Free Press. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Jack Saylor (October 19, 1969). "It's MSU, 23-12! Win over U-M Revives Rose Bowl Hopes". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1C, 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ Tom Henderson (October 15, 1978). "MSU turns the tables, ends 9-year drought; Michigan tumbles, 24-15". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1F, 7F.
  29. ^ Scott DeCamp (October 3, 2017). "10 of the greatest moments in Michigan-Michigan State football rivalry". Mlive.com.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b Bob Wojnowski (October 14, 1990). "MSU No. 1 in State". The Detroit News. pp. 1E, 15E – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Bryan Burwell (October 14, 1990). "Both the Spartans and Wolverines should be proud, but the referees robbed joy from great game". The Detroit News. p. E1 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Loss puts end to high spirits". Lansing State Journal. October 26, 1997. p. 5A – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "No Denying U-M's 'D'". Detroit Free Press. October 26, 1997. pp. 1D, 10D – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Tim Martin (30 October 2007). "Spartans, Wolverines Mark 100th Football Game". Michigan State Official Athletic Site. Michigan State University. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2011. In the 'Clock Game' of 2001, Michigan fans swear time stood still in Spartan Stadium long enough for Michigan State and [T. J.] Duckett to pull off a last-second 26–24 victory. Duckett says that to this day, [his lifelong best friend and fellow Kalamazoo native John] Bradford claims Michigan State didn't really win the game... Frank Beckmann, a longtime radio announcer for Michigan football games, called the clock incident "criminal" on the air.
  35. ^ "Frank Beckmann's memorable moments as a broadcaster". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  36. ^ "Definitive proof that time expired before MSU's miracle, and why it doesn't matter". Deadspin. Archived from the original on 2017-10-07. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  37. ^ "MGOBLUE.COM U-M Uses Fourth-Quarter Comeback to Defeat Spartans – University of Michigan Official Athletic Site". Mgoblue.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  38. ^ "MGOBLUE.COM Boxscore: #15 Michigan 28, Michigan State 24 – University of Michigan Official Athletic Site". Mgoblue.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  39. ^ "Mark Dantonio MSU – "Pride Comes Before The Fall"". Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  40. ^ Report: Delany says officials mistakenly awarded TD to Michigan Archived 2008-11-10 at the Wayback Machine October 27, 2008
  41. ^ "10/25/2008 – Michigan State 35 Michigan 21 – Highlights". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  42. ^ "Michigan vs. Michigan State - Game Summary - October 25, 2014 - ESPN".
  43. ^ "Michigan State vs. Michigan - Game Summary - October 17, 2015 - ESPN".
  44. ^ "Mark Dantonio gave Michigan State's miracle play a name". Fox Sports (United States). 21st Century Fox. October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on 9 December 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  45. ^ Russo, Ralph D (October 18, 2015). "Playoff Pulse: Michigan State miracle; Alabama rising". Business Insider. Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  46. ^ Charboneau, Matt (October 20, 2015). "Dantonio dubs final play 'Rangers: Mission 4:10'". Detroit News. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  47. ^ "Bush on MSU logo swipes: 'I just got caught up'". Detroit Free Press. October 21, 2018. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Harbaugh calls Spartans' pregame walk 'bush league'". Detroit Free Press. October 21, 2018. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "U-M, MSU reprimanded for incident on Saturday". Detroit Free Press. October 25, 2018. p. 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Harbaugh and Dantonio are the new Bo and Woody". Detroit Free Press. October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ West, Jenna (October 24, 2020). "Rutgers Stuns Michigan State to Snap 21-Game Big Ten Losing Streak". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  52. ^ CBS Sports Staff (October 31, 2020). "Michigan vs. Michigan State odds: 2020 college football picks, predictions from expert on 17-5 run". cbssports.com. CBS. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  53. ^ "Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans". Winsipedia. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  54. ^ Jump up to: a b "History: Rose Bowl". NCAA.com. Turner Sports. November 21, 2019.
  55. ^ Jump up to: a b "2019 Big Ten Football Championship Game: Big Ten Championship Game History". BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. Retrieved December 20, 2019.

External links[]

Media related to Michigan-Michigan State football rivalry at Wikimedia Commons

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