Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from shocking loss to Michigan State

1. The Spartans dominated defensively

The Wolverines struggled early with penalties, at the end of the first quarter Michigan was tagged with four penalties for 45 yards and ended the half with six penalties for 60 yards. The officials were calling plays tight on the cornerbacks and were being flagged often.

Michigan had to make defensive adjustments to stop being hit with flags and giving first downs for the Spartans. The Michigan defense allowed two pass plays of 30-plus yards in the first half, and allowed the Spartans to reach the end zone twice in the first half, while Michigan State held the Wolverines to just one touchdown and a field goal.

The Wolverines came back in the second half with a different energy in their defensive line, even if Lombardi threw completed passes, the receiver didn’t get far before he was taken down by the Michigan defensive line. The Wolverines held the Spartans to just two field goals in the third quarter. The Spartans were just as effective in defense, only allowing Michigan to reach the end zone one time.

Neither team’s defense let the other teams’ offense put up anything in the opening drives of the fourth quarter. The Spartans tried to open with a field goal but missed and the Wolverines were forced to punt in their opening drive.

The Wolverines allowed the Spartans to put another touchdown on the board following the missed field goal, and then the Michigan offense kept the Michigan State on the field for over four and a half minutes before they made the last touchdown of the game.

This game was certainly not what most predicted, and at the beginning of the game it looked like it was going to be a lopsided game, but the Wolverines did come back and nearly caught up with the Spartans, it was too little too late though, and for the first time since 2017, Michigan State will take the Paul Bunyan Trophy home with them.