Michigan vs. Michigan State Football 2009
No. 22 Wolverines, Spartans Battle for Paul Bunyan Trophy
The Wolverines and Spartans renew their rivalry Saturday, Oct. 3, in a Noon EST game at East Lansing, Mich. Michigan will take a No. 22 ranking and 4-0 record into the Big Ten Conference matchup, which will be telecast by the Big Ten Network. Michigan State (1-3) will be trying to end a three-game losing streak.
Coach Rich Rodriguez's Wolverines opened conference play with 36-33 triumph over upset-minded Indiana. Michigan took the lead on a TD pass from Tate Forcier to Martavious Owens with 2 minutes, 29 seconds remaining, then sealed the win on Donovan Warren's interception 15 seconds later.
It was Michigan's second great escape of the season. Two weeks earlier, Forcier hit Greg Mathews with a TD pass with 11 seconds left to beat then-No. 18 Notre Dame 38-34.
Michigan State, meanwhile, dropped its Big Ten opener to Wisconsin 38-30 despite piling up 486 yards of offense. The Spartans were done in by four turnovers, including three interceptions.
The defeat followed a 33-30 loss to Notre Dame in which the Spartans fired an interception in the final moments when they were well within field goal range. A week before that, they lost 29-27 to Central Michigan on a field goal with three seconds left.
But although Michigan has the unbeaten record and the national ranking, Michigan State has the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Coach Mark Dantonio's Spartans defeated the Wolverines 35-21 last year to end a five-game losing streak in the series. But Michigan still owns a 67-29-5 all-time lead.
Spartans Moving the Ball Steadily
Michigan State's loss to Wisconsin was not quite as close as the score indicates. The Spartans trailed 38-17 before managing two touchdown passes in the final two minutes. Still, one can hardly deny that they have explosive offensive capabilities. MSU is averaging 438.5 yards per game, including 320.8 passing.
Sophomore quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol have combined to throw for 1,253 yards and 12 TDs, with Cousins going 63-of-104 for 850 yards and seven TDs. The more-mobile Nichol is 21-for-42 for 403 yards and five TDs. They've each thrown two interceptions.
The Spartans also have two productive receivers in Blair White (23 catches, 350 yards, 4 TDs) and B.J. Cunningham (19 receptions, 243 yards, 3 TDs). Mark Dell's added 11 catches for 195 yards and a score, and Keyshawn Martin has two TD receptions, both of which came late vs. Wisconsin. The second was a 91-yarder.
Michigan State's managing only 117.8 yards per game. Freshman Caulton Ray (34 carries, 145 yards, 1 TD) and Larry Caper (31 rushes 141 yards, 2 TDs) are the leading rushers. But sophomore Glenn Winston (22 rushes, 93 yards) carried the load vs. Wisconsin.
The Spartans are outgaining their opponents by an average of 65 yards per game, and managed more yards than both Notre Dame and Wisconsin. Untimely turnovers have been one problem. Shaky pass defense has been another.
Michigan State Linebacker Already Has 52 Tackles
The Spartans are yielding just 113.5 rushing yards per game, but are allowing 249.2 yards through the air. Last week, they gave up four TD passes to Wisconsin.
MSU does, however, have one of the nation's leading tacklers. Linebacker Greg Jones has recorded 52 this season, and his 13.0 average ties him for second in the NCAA Bowl Subdivision. Jones leads the Spartans with 4.5 tackles for losses, including 1.5 sacks.
Safety Trenton Robinson ranks second on the team with 30 tackles, and DBs Marcus Hyde and Roderick Jenrette have 22 and 21, respectively. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Jerel Worthy has four tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks.
This weekend, Michigan State will take on the spread-option attack of Michigan. The Wolverines have shown they can pass, but the running game is the heart of their offense. They're averaging 422.2 yards per game, and 240.2 have come on the ground.
QB Tandem Working Out So Far for Wolverines
Freshman quarterbacks Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson haven't been perfect guiding the Michigan offense, but they've been productive.
Forcier's taken most of the snaps, and delivered well in the clutch. He's 54-for-87 passing for 671 yards, with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Forcier, who's been hampered by shoulder problems recently, has also rushed 40 times for 127 yards and two TDs.
Robinson's a tad faster, and he's second on the team in rushing with 29 carries for 179 yards and three scores. In the passing department, he's just 4-for-11 for 57 yards with two interceptions and no TDs.
Carlos Brown is the leading rusher, with 38 carries for 321 yards and three touchdowns. But Brandon Minor paced the Wolverines with 11 carries for 83 yards vs. Indiana. Minor, who's battled ankle problems, has 31 rushes for 177 yards and two TDs despite sitting out one full game and most of another.
Owens has made a team-high nine catches for 97 yards and a TD, and tight end Kevin Koger and wide receiver Junior Hemingway lead the team with two touchdown catches apiece. All three are sophomores.
Michigan Defense Needs Shoring Up
One thing Michigan's been fortunate with is turnovers. The Wolverines have a plus-one ratio this season, but it could be a lot worse. They've fumbled eight times, and lost just one.
More turnovers would certainly cause extra strain on a defense that's been average at best. The Wolverines are giving up 385.8 yards per game, and like Michigan State, have been extremely vulnerable through the air (243.8 yards per game).
An improved pass rush would help. Michigan's recorded just four sacks, and its opposition has managed five despite the fact that the Wolverines have thrown the ball 43 fewer times.
But still, Michigan's undefeated, and it's hard to argue with that. Linebackers Obi Ezeh, Stevie Brown and Jonas Mouton are the top tackler with 34, 29 and 22 respectively. Brown has 3.5 tackles for losses.
Warren's made 21 tackles and broken up four passes, and Brandon Graham lead the team with 4.5 tackles for losses and 1.5 sacks.
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