Posted on Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 11:05 p.m.
Michigan State 26, Michigan 20 (OT): Your complete guide to our coverage here
By Pete Bigelow
For the third time this season, Tate Forcier took the Michigan football team on his shoulders and rallied the Wolverines to a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback.
This time, however, Michigan couldn't find its storybook ending.
Despite scoring two touchdowns in the final 4:03 of the game, the Wolverines couldn't sustain their momentum in overtime, falling to rival Michigan State, 26-20 in East Lansing.
Our coverage of Saturday's game starts below, and we'll be updating it throughout the evening.
STORIES
- We'll lead off with AnnArbor.com beat reporter Dave Birkett's game story, which details Michigan's dramatic fourth-quarter comeback and sudden overtime loss against the rival Spartans.
- What's left after a tough overtime loss? Plenty of questions, says AnnArbor.com's Michael Rothstein.
- A run at a third come-from behind win for freshman quarterback Tate Forcier comes up short, writes AnnArbor.com's Jeff Arnold
- Dave Birkett has his weekly grades for the Wolverines. The D's don't stand for defense today.
- A failed fake punt may have been the difference for the Wolverines. Here's why the Wolverines went for it on fourth-and-inches.
- Jeff Arnold catches up with Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier, who concedes Saturday was just not Michigan's day to pull out a win.
- Notebook: J.T. Floyd recorded four tackles in his first start at cornerback; Rich Rodriguez talks about the time-of-possession battle.
- Michigan State's victory helps restore a lot of luster to what was a fading rivalry, writes David Mayo of The Grand Rapids Press.
- The Wolverines' youth and inexperience finally showed Saturday, says Howie Beardsley of The Grand Rapids Press.
- Mark Dantonio is delivering on his promise to take over the state, opines SI.com's Stewart Mandel.
- Kirk Cousins showed a lot of heart for the Spartans, says Steve Grinczel of MLive.com.
VIDEO
- Rich Rodriguez in his post-game press conference: Third downs killed the Wolverines.
- Brandon Graham and Obi Ezeh: "We're going to keep fighting."
PHOTOS
- AnnArbor.com photographers Lon Horwedel and Melanie Maxwell paced the sidelines during the game, and brought back some excellent shots for this slideshow, including Roy Roundtree's game-tying touchdown catch.
- Michigan State's Andrew Hawken nearly had the day's most costly fumble. Here's a picture of him almost dropping the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
INTERACTIVE
- More than 2,400 readers followed our live chat during the game. Among others, you'll find these topics discussed in the archive: Denard Robinson's passing ability, the controversial decision to fake a fourth-down punt ... and the best pizza in Ann Arbor. Join us for the Iowa game next week.
STATISTICS AND STUFF
- Here's the official box score for the game.
- Here's the most up-to-date conference leaders from the Big Ten.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
- Penn State made short work of Illinois, claiming a 35-17 victory that wasn't that close.
- Wiconsin rallies for a 31-28 victory over Minnesota and stays unbeaten at 5-0. The Wisconsin State Journal has the recap.
- Iowa, Michigan's next opponent, survives a scare at home that came courtesy of Arkansas State. The Des Moines Register has the story.
Comments
1998pa
Tue, Oct 6, 2009 : 8:53 a.m.
No kidding, BMG. There are some truly blind, thoughtless imps in the world. I love sports as much as anyone, but to fawn over one team to the point where they can do absolutely no wrong? My God, even groupies have more self-respect.
saginaw
Mon, Oct 5, 2009 : 10:08 a.m.
I think that Tommy A did some good recruiting in basketball while at UM. Obviously Bielien is a better coach overall.
GoBlue2009
Mon, Oct 5, 2009 : 5:43 a.m.
@ John Galt: Hockey's even? State was absolutely god-awful last year, and I enjoyed every second of it. They will be hard-pressed to not finish last in the CCHA again this year. If anything, basketball has finally emerged from the Dark Ages and is ready to challenge Izzo for recruits. We basically gave State recruiting for 10 years with the sanctions, and they will no longer have an easy time of things.
psaume23
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 6:37 p.m.
Has UM's defense really improved from last year? It seems that we are still having difficulty tackling on a basic level, and are giving up way too many yards. On the other hand, the offense is very exciting to watch and it is heartening that our offensive line seems to be doing better this year. There is still plenty of games to fix the D and surpass expectations.
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 5:13 p.m.
That's funny Theo212.And as for playing off the WR's I say play up on them SOMETIMES!!Challenge them down the field and see if we can run with them b/c giving them first downs on 3rd and a million isn't working for us either!!Let's mix it up on D!!Defense is suppose to DISRUPT, not be obvious!!!GO BLUE!!
jpatch32
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 3:54 p.m.
After five games I can't believe that Michigan's defensive coordinator or coach Rod can't see that if it is third down with five to go the Db's can't play ten yards off of the ball. Lets just give the offense the first down. It's the most frustrating thing to watch. I know we have some secondary issues but they can't be that slow. The zone defense is terrible, knowbody knows what they are doing. We don't have any interceptions and the Db's havent batted any balls away from the recievers. C'mon Michigan fix it.
TXteacher
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 10:16 a.m.
Fight, Fight, Fight, Team, Fight, victory for M-S-UUUUU!
David Wallner
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 6 a.m.
The amazing thing is that these KIDS provide such great entertainment. I think both teams have a lot to be proud of.
saginaw
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 11:29 p.m.
Michigan is a better team in 2009 than 2008. But, nearly all of this improvement is due to Tate Forcier. Other players really need to come through. Michigan State outplayed us for 55 minutes -- and by a wide margin. The Iowa defense is more physical than MSU. We must step it up now.
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 10:14 p.m.
When we get better secondary this won't be much of a rivalry!I mean MSU gut-punched us all friggin' gm and we still almost won!!Enjoy this Sparty cause it will end soon!!!Thank GOD for Tate,cause NOBODY else wanted to show up today!Let's get ready for next week and GO BLUE!!
John Galt
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 9:10 p.m.
As a State Alum, I'm feeling good about the win. But at a 2-3 record, the MSU football season is essentially a wash. UM has a chance to right the ship and finish strong. The Basketball program goes to State. Hockey is about an even match-up. Football is still UM. State needs to keep building. But the Spartans have been making some progress the last couple years under Dantonio. Despite almost losing at the last minute (again). At least this game is starting to resemble a real rivalry once again.
braggslaw
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 8:52 p.m.
Objectively, the best team won. Michigan was physically manhandled most of the game.
David Wallner
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 6:36 p.m.
Michigan State has blown a lead and lost the game so many time I've lost count. For once they held tough and made the big play when it counted.