Michigan Football news, stats and stars from the Michigan State game

Michigan Football (5-2, 3-0) knocked off Michigan State (4-4, 1-3) in a hard fought 12-10 game on Saturday afternoon. Denard Robinson picked up 259 yards of hard-earned total offense and the Michigan defense was outstanding. Here are the stars, stats and some random observations from Michigan’s key victory. Game recap: Michigan edges Michigan State

3 Stars

1. Brendan Gibbons, 3 for 3 on field goals of 24, 21, and the game winning 38 yarder.

2. Linebacker Desmond Morgan led the Wolverines defensively with a career-high 11 tackles

3. Jake Ryan played inspired defense all game long and recorded 10 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

3 Key Plays

1. Late in the third quarter, Jordan Kovacs intercepted an Andrew Maxwell pass, killing an MSU drive and leading to…….

2. WR Roy Roundtree’s great 3rd down catch on the ensuing drive at the MSU 25, resulting in Michigan retaking the lead 9-7.

3. Drew Dileo’s 20 yard reception at the MSU 21 with 9 seconds remaining on the clock setting up Gibbons’ game winner.

Stat of the game

Michigan 4 for 4 on field goal attempts, while Michigan State was 1 of 2.  MSU kicker Dan Conroy’s miss from 38 yard was certainly costly as it would have made a difference in the only other stat that mattered in this game – Michigan 12, Michigan State 10.  Statistically it was the most evenly matched game of the year.

Random Observations

No official, on-field handoff of the coveted Paul Bunyon trophy.  While several Wolverine players dog rushed the Spartan sideline at the gun, they were at a loss as to the location of the trophy.  ”Paul” apparently made its way back to the Michigan locker room shortly after the players exited the field.

Things were a little chippy on the field, both during and after the game. “It’s Michigan, Michigan State,” Drew Dileo said after the game. “It’s an instate rivalry, it’s going to be pretty intense.”

Random Stats

The last time Michigan won a game without scoring a touchdown was November 11, 1995, when they beat Purdue 5-0.

This was the 900th win for the storied Wolverine program.

Jordan Kovacs notched 5 tackles and an interception. His first tackle of the game was his 300th career tackle. He became just the 15th Wolverine and first defensive back in school history to reach that milestone.

Roy Roundtree’s single catch moved him past Desmond Howard into 10th place all-time for Michigan’s career reception leaders.

Unsung hero

Drew Dileo hauled in 4 passes for a game-high 92 yards.  Two of those catches came on third down which led to Michigan’s first field goal. His final catch set up the game winning field goal. Dileo was also the holder on all 4 of U-M’s field goals.

What it means

Michigan stays unbeaten in the Big Ten and maintained 1st place in the Legends Division. The ultimate goal for this team is a Big Ten Championship and they took another step towards that with this victory. This game certainly longed for big plays, big stats, and scoring, but it probably was the most physical game so far this season. Michigan goes to Nebraska with a little more confidence and with a tweaking of the offensive game plan, I think their first visit to the Big Ten Huskers ends with the same result as today.