Late-Game Offense Helps U-M Secure Win Over MSU, Keep Paul Bunyan Trophy

Saturday, October 26

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

5-3 , 3-2

Michigan State

4-4 , 2-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Michigan St.

Michigan

Davis Warren (left) and Colston Loveland carry the Paul Bunyan Trophy (Michigan Photography)

Late-Game Offense Helps U-M Secure Win Over MSU, Keep Paul Bunyan Trophy

10/26/2024 11:20:00 PM | Football

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By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Michigan 24, Michigan State 17
Records: U-M (5-3, 3-2 B1G), MSU (4-4, 2-3 B1G)
Attendance: 110,849
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Nov. 2 -- vs. #1 Oregon (Michigan Stadium), 3:30 p.m. (TV: CBS)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team managed to pull away in the fourth quarter to secure a 24-17 victory over rival Michigan State in the 72nd meeting for the Paul Bunyan Trophy on Saturday night (Oct. 26) at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan pulled ahead by two scores with a crucial touchdown with 13:20 remaining in the contest en route to the victory. On a first-down play in Michigan State territory, Donovan Edwards handled a toss from quarterback Davis Warren while moving toward the away sideline before launching a pass to a wide-open Colston Loveland in the end zone to move ahead 22-10 in the game's final frame. Loveland then proceeded to catch the two-point conversion to take a 14-point lead.

The game-securing play was Loveland's second touchdown in a six-catch, 67-yard effort, while Warren completed 13 passes over 19 attempts for 123 yards and one touchdown in the win. The Wolverines' leading rusher was Alex Orji (six rushes for 64 yards and a touchdown), who helped seal the game with two first-down rushes on the game's final drive.

Defensive leaders in the effort included Ernest Hausmann (11 tackles, one tackle for loss), Josaiah Stewart (one sack, forced fumble) and Kenneth Grant (one TFL, fumble recovery). In total, the Maize and Blue defense allowed 352 yards (189 passing, 163 rushing).

The U-M defense opened the game cold, allowing Michigan State's first two drives to span the entirety of the field. The Spartans failed to capitalize on a 25-yard field-goal attempt on the first but were able to come away with a two-yard rushing touchdown on the second to take a 7-0 first-quarter lead.

After going the first 29:31 of the game scoreless, the Wolverines were able to find the scoreboard twice in the first half's final 31 seconds. The first came on a 10-yard touchdown connection between Warren and Loveland on play action to conclude a 10-play scoring drive. Warren completed five passes for 41 yards on the drive, part of a string of 10 straight completions for the Michigan quarterback. A failed extra-point try held U-M to a 7-6 deficit following the touchdown.

Just two plays later, Stewart tracked down a scrambling Aidan Chiles to force a sack, jarring the ball loose before it was pounced on by Grant at the Michigan State 34-yard line. The turnover set up a 15-yard reception by Edwards before Dominic Zvada converted a 37-yard field goal to close the first half with a 9-7 Michigan advantage.

The Wolverines' string of momentum continued into their first drive of the second half, an 11-play, 75-yard march downfield for a two-yard rushing touchdown by Orji. The drive consisted of a 29-yard rush by Orji and a 23-yard connection between Warren and Tyler Morris on a flea-flicker play.

Michigan State responded with a 67-yard drive which concluded with a 46-yard field goal to shrink the U-M lead to 16-10 with 3:45 remaining in the third quarter.

Following Edwards' touchdown pass to Loveland to move the Wolverines ahead by 14 points, Michigan State responded with a 13-play, seven-minute drive resulting in a touchdown that closed the U-M advantage to 24-17 with 6:12 remaining in the contest.

Up seven points with two minutes remaining in the game, Quinten Johnson came away with a pass breakup on a crucial fourth-down play to return the ball to the U-M offense and retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Michigan will remain at home next Saturday (Nov. 2) when it plays host to No. 1-ranked Oregon at Michigan Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff, and the game will be broadcast live on CBS.