Michigan State suffers worst home loss in program history against Michigan

October 22, 2023

MSU redshirt-freshman quarterback Katin Houser throws a pass against Michigan on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Spartan Stadium.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State’s rival, No. 2 Michigan, kept its ownership of the Paul Bunyan Trophy on Oct. 22 in a 49-0 shutout.

The loss marked the worst home defeat for the Spartans in program history.

“Whether you lose by one or 49, that’s a loss,” Michigan State head coach Harlon Barnett said in the post-game press conference.

Michigan opened the game with an 84-yard drive that ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Blake Corum. MSU got close to a stop, but junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the Wolverine offense took control.

Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy throws a pass against MSU on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Spartan Stadium. (Jack Moreland)

“They weren’t doing much special early on,” said sixth-year linebacker Aaron Brule. “It was just us really just doing our job and giving the back endless time to cover and get some rush up front so they could cover less time.”

The drives in the first half were unsuccessful for the Spartans. MSU struggled with breaking through the Wolverine defense.

“I think the biggest strength of their team is their lineman,” said redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter about Michigan’s strong interior defense.

Michigan finished out the first quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Wolverines ahead to a 14-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Michigan recorded two touchdown passes, furthering their lead to 28-0. MSU’s defense got its first stop after McCarthy kept it for no gain on third-and-1. When MSU punted back to Michigan, a penalty was called for kick catch interference.

Michigan senior wide receiver Roman Wilson (left) celebrates a touchdown scored by Michigan sophomore tight end Colston Loveland (right) against MSU on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Spartan Stadium. (Jack Moreland)

The third quarter Michigan added to its lead and MSU picked up five more penalties. The Wolverines scored a defensive touchdown and a touchdown pass. After the defensive touchdown, redshirt senior offensive lineman Spencer Brown was ejected from the game.

True freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt checked in for the Spartans in the fourth quarter. Leavitt’s interception, received by junior defensive back Ja’Den McBurrows, secured the Wolverines’ clean sweep.

“I know we’re not getting the results we want, but I love this group of young men,” Barnett said when talking about the team. “I appreciate all they have been doing and I think we’ll be fine.”

The Spartans finished the game with 11 penalties, the same amount from when MSU took on No. 5 Washington on Sept. 16.

“You can’t play top ten teams in the country and have 11 penalties,” Barnett said.

Up next, the Spartans will go back on the road to play Minnesota on Saturday, Oct. 28, with game time set for 3:30 p.m. E.T.