ctinsider
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Pat Fitzgerald's long wait is finally over.
Liam Boyd converted all five of his field goal attempts, and Michigan State's defense forced four turnovers and tallied five sacks in a 15-6 victory over Michigan on Saturday night.
The Spartans (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) halted a six-game losing streak and helped Fitzgerald end a 13-game Big Ten losing streak that dated back to the 2022 season-opening game at Northwestern.
They claimed the Paul Bunyan Trophy, awarded to the winner of this rivalry, and circled the field to celebrate with green-and-white clad fans in the Big House, where few Michigan supporters remained in the final minutes.
"To see our fan base and celebrate with them is something I'll never, ever forget," Fitzgerald said. "We know we're not going to Indianapolis (for the Big Ten championship game), but today was the state championship and we're 1-0."
The Wolverines (5-4, 2-4) avoided a shutout — their first since 2014 — on Savion Hiter's 1-yard run with 1:35 left, but Tommy Carr was sacked on the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt to seal the defeat.
In a matchup between two of the nation's worst offenses, points were at a premium.
Michigan State made two field goals to take a 6-0 lead into halftime.
The Spartans extended their advantage to 9-0 late in the third quarter with another kick, capping a 17-play, 79-yard drive that began at their own 1 and consumed nearly 11 minutes.
Michigan was held scoreless in the first half for the third consecutive home game. According to Sportradar, the last time the Wolverines failed to score by halftime three times in a season was 1979.
Michigan had a chance to score in the second quarter, but Jacob Baggett hit the left upright on a 26-yard attempt — the team's fifth missed field goal in three games.
"It was kind of deflating at that point," coach Kyle Whittingham said.
After Trey Butkowski missed four field goals in the previous two games, he lost the job to Baggett in a practice competition.
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic, who missed the previous game with an injury, completed 21 of 32 passes for 188 yards without a turnover. He connected with Chrishon McCray six times for 92 yards.
Brandon Tullis ran for a career-high 86 yards for the Spartans, making the most of his opportunities with four running backs sidelined by injuries.
Michigan's Tommy Carr was 14 of 26 for 138 yards with two interceptions. Running back Bryson Kuzdzal and receiver Andrew Marsh each lost a fumble in the second half.
The Wolverines were limited to 54 rushing yards on 26 carries.
"I can't come up with one positive offensively," Whittingham said.
Key Analysis
Michigan State: Fitzgerald and his players desperately needed a victory after starting 0-5 in the Big Ten and following a loss to Notre Dame. The win is even sweeter as the Spartans' first against their rival since 2021.
"I told you when I took this job that one game means more," Fitzgerald said.
Michigan: Whittingham's debut season has fallen short of expectations after the team was ranked No. 16 in the preseason AP Top 25. The Wolverines have an offensively challenged team that hasn't been able to capitalize on a strong defense.
"As disappointed as I've ever been as a head coach," said Whittingham, whose debut season was in 2004 at Utah.
Up next: Michigan State hosts Washington (5-4, 2-4) on Saturday. Michigan plays at Oregon (6-3, 4-2) on Saturday.
Originally reported by ctinsider.