The Michigan State Spartans battered the Michigan Wolverines all day, controlling the game with defense en route to a 29-6 win in East Lansing.
Michigan vs. Michigan State 2013 final score: Spartans demolish Wolverines 29-6
The Spartan defense made life miserable for Devin Gardner and the Michigan offense.
Gregory Shamus
The Spartan defense has received a lot of attention this year, and they lived up the hype on Saturday. They got after Devin Gardner and the Michigan offense almost immediately, racking up four sacks in the first quarter, with Shilique Calhoun accounting for 2.5 by himself. The Michigan defense was holding their own as well, as both teams could only muster field goals before Connor Cook hit Bennie Fowler for a touchdown right before halftime.
Things continued on a similar track in the second half. Devin Gardner was under pressure on every single snap, and the Michigan State defense just choked the life out of Michigan's attack. With the Wolverines at a safe distance, the Spartan offense slowly but surely found its footing, adding another 10 points to make it 22-6 with 10 minutes left, a score that felt completely insurmountable. Jeremy Langford would add another touchdown near the end to make it 29-6.
Gardner was sacked eight times in all, and the Michigan offense was held to only 189 total yards and minus-48 rushing yards, the lowest total in program history. The much maligned Michigan State offense, meanwhile, eclipsed 400 yards of total offense, including 252 in the air from Cook.
With the win, Michigan State is all but assured the title in the Big Ten Legends Division and a matchup with Ohio State in the title game, which should present an interesting contrast in styles.
Box Score Hero:
Jeremy Langford was the workhorse for Michigan State, rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Bennie Fowler chipped in with six receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown as well.
Rankings Ramifications:
Michigan and Michigan State came into Saturday ranked 21st and 22nd in the BCS standings, respectively. Michigan State should climb a couple spots with the win, and Michigan will fall out of the standings.
But Did They Cover?
The Spartans came into the game as four point favorites, so they covered the spread.
For More On This Game:
For more on the Wolverines, head over to Maize N Brew.
For more on the Spartans, check out The Only Colors.
Next Week’s Schedule:
Michigan State: 11/16, at Nebraska
Michigan: 11/9, vs. Nebraska
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