Michigan State tops No. 23 Michigan in overtime, 26-20
Freshman running back Larry Caper scored on a 24-yard run, lifting Michigan State to a 26-20 overtime victory over No. 23 Michigan on Saturday.
It was Caper's second touchdown of the day and helped Michigan State (2-3 and 1-1 in the Big Ten) beat Michigan for two consecutive seasons for the first time in 42 years. Michigan entered the game unbeaten and leaves East Lansing 4-1, 1-1 in the Big Ten.
Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier led a furious fourth-quarter rally in driving rain as the Wolverines rallied to tie the game with two seconds left in regulation.
Roy Roundtree caught a 9-yard pass, his first catch of the season, to complete the drive with two seconds left in regulation. Forcier was the center of the drive, rushing for 39 yards and passing for 39.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Forcier hit sophomore receiver Darryl Stonum on a 60-yard pass play.
Stonum's touchdown cut Michigan's State's lead to 20-13 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game.
Glenn Winston scored on a 15-yard run earlier in the fourth quarter as Michigan State built a 20-6 lead against No. 23 Michigan.
Winston’s run capped an eight-play, 70-yard drive, continuing a theme for the Spartans - long, clock-eating drives.
Michigan, meanwhile, entered with the Big Ten's best offense, averaging 37.5 points per game and has been held to two field goals. Even a fake punt in the third quarter turned out looking odd.
Michigan punter Zoltan Mesko was stopped short of a first down on a fake punt and Michigan State took advantage with a 23-yard field goal by Brett Swanson three plays later as the Spartans took a 13-6 lead.
With Michigan on its own 16-yard line, Mesko took the snap deep and ran left. He was tackled for a 3-yard loss.
Swenson kicked a 25-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in the first half as Michigan State took a 10-6 lead into halftime.
The Spartans dominated the first half with long drives, most notably a 10-minute possession that ended with Larry Caper scoring on a 1-yard run to complete a 17-play, 80-yard drive that included eight first downs.
The Spartans controlled the first quarter with 131 total yards of offense against the Wolverines' 1 yard. Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins was 7-of-9 passing for 76 yards in the first quarter.
By halftime, Michigan State had more first downs than Michigan, 14-4, and more total yards, 221-63. One reason, however, that Michigan State didn't have more of a lead: The Spartans took five penalties in the first half while the Wolverines had none.
Jason Olesnavage kicked his second field goal of the day, a 42-yarder, as Michigan pulled to within one point of Michigan State late in the first half.
Olesnavage's second field goal capped a 15-play, 68-yard drive for Michigan.
Michigan lost 5 yards on its first possession but came away with Olesnavage's 36-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan's Stevie Brown intercepted Cousins' pass on the first series of the game and returned it to the MSU 14-yard line. Nose tackle Mike Martin tipped Cousins' pass.
Michigan is going after a 5-0 start and is trying to recapture the Paul Bunyan Trophy against 1-3 Michigan State. The game is on The Big Ten Network. We'll have updates here throughout the game.
Be sure to check out our live chat, led by reporter Michael Rothstein and sports producer Pete Bigelow.
Comments
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 5:35 p.m.
We just have to get our HEART back guys!!We have to WANT it(not just at the end of ball gms. either). INTENSITY! ATTITUDE!!Where were these things Saturday?RR better start recognizing these rivalry gms.(Sparty,Suckeyes)and STRESSING to our guys STRONG Michigan Football!!! We can do it! Let's go!! All In 4 Mich.
Engineer
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 9:52 a.m.
Another great letdown. When will Rich Rod realize losing to state is unacceptable? This was a 1 and 3 team that was easily beatable as confirmed by our quick comeback. With the trouble we have had with lower half MSU and Indiana are any indication the rest of the season is NOT going to be fun. A bowl will even be questionable. Iowa next week is tough. Delaware State might be winnable but then Penn State comes to town. Another tough team. Finish with OSU and we could have very little improvement over last year. Most disturbing was the seemingly lack of emotion for first half to 3/4 of game. No big hits and very poor execution. Brandon Grahm's hit in second half is what I expected whole game. Intensity! State tried to give it to us by taking a lot of penalties but we just did not seem to want it until it was too late. I have to blame coaching for the lack of intensity for 3/4 of a game. This week of practice should be toughest they have ever had just to get point across. Also, where is all this great workouts showing up? Tate gassed at end, O line and D line pushed around all day. Very very disappointing. 2 recruiting classes should have produced more results than this.
ohiowolverine
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 8:14 p.m.
I would have rather seen Michigan go for 2 and the win, and only lost by 1. They already had sparty on their heels after that long drive. Our D doesn't have a chance when we get to all the good teams in the big 10. Oh well, still better than last year. Go Blue!
Bucky
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 4:40 p.m.
Michigan goes down in flames at Iowa, Wisconsin, and at home against Ohio State. Overrated. Overrated. Lots of potential and little character. Enjoy the Music City Bowl.
Gwhizz
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:03 p.m.
Hey... I never said I was excited about the loss. Michigan will be ok. Most of the realisitic fans expect a 7 or 8 win season, that is still plausible and very possible.
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 2:56 p.m.
I'm excited about their never say die attitude as well, I just wish they wouldn't keep banking on it. I understand that you are saying they learned they can't always bank on it, it just sucks we had to learn it against a 1-3 team that lost to CMU. Worse, it's a delusional team in our own state. I guess that officially makes CMU the state champs this year. It's hard for me to ever be excited by a loss, though, especially when you have to wonder where the last four minutes was the rest of the game. While their comback was encouraging, I am worried about the O line moving forward because we were completely unable to run the ball today despite our outstanding running backs. I'm sure Iowa's run defense much better than MSU's.
Gwhizz
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 2:40 p.m.
AZ you are looking at this from the wrong perspective; 1. this was necessary because the team had begun to expect to always be able to yank the rabbit from the hat. 2. how long has it been since Michigan lost 3 straight to state; I can endure another 365 days of their delusions and complaints of no respect. But I am excited about the improvement over last season and the 'never say die' attitude the team exhibits.
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 2:34 p.m.
Losing to State is never necessary, especially two years in a row. They earned it, though. Michigan looked completely unprepared and out of synch for 56 minutes, then made another great fourth quarter rally. Too bad they couldn't make a tackle in OT. I'm really frustrated by this. The way Michigan came back is encouraging, the fact they even had to come from that far back is discouraging. They were completely outplayed for 56 minutes plus OT. We'll have to stew on Sparty ragging on us for the next year...AGAIN! Two in a row for the first time in 42 years. This sucks.
Goblue
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 2:31 p.m.
Funny the fan's here posted complaint's hours ago. State played a good defensive game. No UM didn't really show up the first 3 quarter's, but that's excuses. I agree with Gwhizz. They will learn from this. Great ending. That's football..
Gwhizz
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 2:28 p.m.
In addendum, Tate Forcier showed he is indeed special and I look forward to him leading the Wolverines!
Gwhizz
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 2:26 p.m.
it was a good game and Michigan didn't show up until the fourth quarter; so the result is a loss, but they learned today and that is some solace. Of course they lost to to state, and that always rots, but this was necessary for the team to evolve and improve. GO BLUE!!!
y2jb10mi
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 1:01 p.m.
Totally embarrassing! What else can be said?
kerch65
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 12:24 p.m.
they look like crap they dont want this game it shows the way they r playing on both sides of the ball they cant catch they cant cover what the hell can these guys do