All week, Kirk Cousins refused to give into the media temptation to turn Saturday's showdown with unbeaten in-state rival Michigan into a comparison of quarterbacks.

When the national buzz surrounding Denard Robinson remained at a fevered pitch, Cousins went virtually unnoticed. While Robinson was asked repeatedly by national publications about his Heisman Trophy chances and if he could continue to produce mind-boggling numbers, the Michigan State junior quarterback went about the business of running his offense.

He made certain one thing was clear: This was never about him. But by the end of Saturday's 34-17 victory at Michigan Stadium, Cousins had quietly done his part in keeping the No. 17-ranked Spartans undefeated. Even if he wasn't willing to take any credit.

"I've said it all along - a quarterback is only as good as the guys around him," Cousins said. "The reason I maybe played more efficient was because of the protection I received, the run game, which made the play action pass much more difficult to stop, and the way our defense stepped up and produced crucial turnovers.

"That's what made me more efficient. It wasn't anything I did differently."

All Cousins did was complete 19 of the 26 passes he threw for 287 yards, engineering five straight Michigan State scoring drives that gave the Spartans a 31-10 lead with 5 minutes left in the third quarter.

While Robinson struggled for the first time this season with three interceptions, Cousins remained composed, avoiding turnovers.

Now Cousins won't allow himself to get wrapped up in the Spartans' 6-0 start, remembering last season when the Spartans worked so hard to earn bowl eligibility before losing the season finale and then to Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl.

This year, Cousins said he is more focused on making sure the team is right, realizing that despite his humble demeanor, he's got to play a key role.

"You've got to go into a game as a quarterback very business-like, but you also have to be intense because a lot of guys are looking at you," Cousins said. "They have to see your intensity. You can't just make emotional decisions, but you can have emotion.

"So I was trying to walk that fine line."

Mission accomplished.

Michigan State receiver Mark Dell called Cousins amazing. Dell said the second-year offensive captain deserves attention - not necessarily because of individual statistics, but because of the way he works off the field.

Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell concurred.

"Kirk Cousins, without question, is a tremendous leader," Treadwell said. "It's just not what he does on game day, it's so many of the things he does behind the scenes. He puts us in the best play possible."

After Michigan State players huddled at midfield, again hoisting the Paul Bunyan Trophy over their heads, Cousins sprinted to the corner of end zone. He had spent the game wondering where his mother and brother and sister were seated among the 113,065 crammed inside Michigan Stadium, but as he approached the corner, he spotted them.

He leapt into the corner bleachers and was welcomed by three sets of open arms, allowing another victory over Michigan to soak in.

"You work so hard, so hard all year, to experience a moment like that," Cousins said. "I just wanted to make sure I cherished it with the people who care about me most. So I just jumped up to give them a hug, because that's what you want to do in that moment."

Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by e-mail at jeffarnold@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffreyparnold.