Michigan Football defeats MSU 32-23 in rivalry showdown

We thought it happened last year, but it didn’t.

In this year’s edition of the rivalry game between Michigan and Michigan State, it was rarely ever in doubt, even if it got a little dicey at the end.

The second-ranked Wolverines (8-0, 5-0 B1G) defeated the Spartans (2-6, 0-5 B1G) by a score of 32-23 in East Lansing on Saturday afternoon, which is their first in the series since the 2012 season.

Wide receiver Amara Darboh’s big day (8 catches, 165 yards) headlined the offensive showing for the Wolverines, who also gashed the Spartans for 194 yards in the run game, led by two touchdowns from De’Veon Smith.

MSU got off to a hot start right off the bat in the game with a 12 play, 75 yard touchdown drive that took the first 7:02 of the game off the clock. Michigan answered with a eight play, 80 yard drive capped off by a Jabrill Peppers 3-yard touchdown run to tie things up at 7-7 after one quarter of play.

The Wolverines started to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring the Spartans 20-3 with a pair of field goals from Kenny Allen and a pair of touchdown runs from De’Veon Smith. Speight threw an interception on the team’s first drive of the second half, but the Wolverine defense stood tall and kept the Spartans out of the endzone on four plays to keep the score at 27-10 after the third quarter.

Michigan extended their lead to 30-10 with a 45-yard field goal from Allen 18 seconds into the fourth quarter. The Spartans attempted a field goal from 34-yards out that was missed with 10:43 to play in the game.

MSU got back on the board with a touchdown pass from Brian Lewerke to Monty Madaris from 20-yards out to cut the deficit to 30-17 in favor of the Wolverines. The Spartans would threaten to get it closer, but a Jabrill Peppers sack on 4th and 5 from the U-M 24 gave the ball back to the Wolverines.

The Spartans scored a touchdown with one second to play, but the two point conversion attempt was fumbled and returned to the house for two points for Michigan, bringing the final score to 32-23.

The Wolverines return home next weekend for a Big Ten East matchup with D.J. Durkin’s Maryland Terrapins. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.

This story is developing.