Michigan beats MSU for the third straight time to retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy

Ann Arbor — These were two teams with identical records, playing for two different things, but with a common goal – the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Michigan wanted to bounce back from a difficult season and back-to-back losses. Michigan State wanted to prove that reducing turnovers is better than many might have thought.

Michigan won the intrastate rivalry for the third straight year, defeating Michigan State 24-17 at Michigan Stadium on Saturday night in the 117th meeting between the teams and the 72nd game for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

This was the first time since 1995 that the rivalry featured new coaches, namely Sherrone Moore of Michigan and Jonathan Smith of Michigan State. Back then it was Lloyd Carr at Michigan and Nick Saban at MSU.

BOX SCORE: Michigan 24, Michigan State 17

Michigan, which has started three quarterbacks this season, returned Davis Warren, who started the first three games of the season at quarterback. Alex Orji started the next three games and Jack Tuttle, who started last week at Illinois, was listed as “out” on the availability list, indicating he suffered an injury.

Entering the game, Warren had completed 66.7% of his passes for 444 yards and two touchdowns, but had six interceptions.

Against Michigan State, Warren was 13 of 19 for 123 yards and a touchdown, and Orji ran for 64 yards and a score on six carries to lead the Wolverines (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten). Tight end Colston Loveland had six catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns, including one on a pass from running back Donovan Edwards.

Aidan Chiles was 17 of 23 passing for 189 yards and a touchdown for Michigan State (4-4, 2-3). Nick Marsh had four catches for 42 yards and a touchdown and Nate Carter ran 19 times for 118 yards and a score.

Michigan used a few tricks to extend its lead to 24-10 early in the fourth quarter. Warren threw a pitch to Edwards, who completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Loveland. Edwards is now 4-for-4 passing with two touchdowns for his career. Warren then hit Loveland for the 2-point conversion.

But Michigan State responded on its next possession, converting three times on third down, including on third-and-12 when Chiles connected with Marsh for a 20-yard touchdown to make it 24-17 with 6:12 left.

After a Michigan three-and-out, a bad punt by Tommy Doman gave MSU a starting position at midfield with 4:34 remaining. The Spartans were sparked by a 30-yard completion to Carter, who broke two tackles, all the way to the UM 21-yard line. On fourth-and-5 at the 16-yard line, the Chiles' pass was intercepted in the end zone by safety Quinten Johnson.

The Wolverines led by two at halftime and extended their lead on the first drive of the second half. Orji had a 29-yard run and on the next play, Davis hit Tyler Morris on a flea blitz for a 23-yard gain. Semaj Morgan and Kalel Mullings each had crucial third-down conversions before Orji scored on a 2-yard run on third down. Michigan gained 75 yards on 11 plays and took a 16-7 lead.

Michigan State responded with a 46-yard field goal to get within 16-10. The Spartans reached the Michigan 26-yard line, but on third-and-1, Kenneth Grant stuffed Carter for a 2-yard loss to force the field goal. However, MSU attempted an onside kick, which Michigan's Tavierre Dunlap deflected at the MSU 47-yard line. Michigan and MSU each made three-pointers on their next two possessions.

It was a strange first half with Michigan lacking an offensive presence in the first quarter and leading 9-7 at halftime. The Spartans defeated Michigan 160-116, rushing for 119 yards to Michigan's 37 yards. Warren was 10 of 11 passing for 79 yards and a touchdown.

After trailing 7-0, the Wolverines finally got going with 2:58 left in the first half. They got a key third-down call from Morgan, who fell but picked himself up to make a 6-yard catch. On the next play, Warren connected with Peyton O'Leary for a 15-yard reception. Loveland caught a 10-yard pass with 29 seconds left, capping a 10-play, 64-yard drive. Dominic Zvada missed the extra point when Doman, the defending scorer, misplayed the snap.

Michigan State, starting its final drive of the half from the 21-yard line, got the ball back and made a costly mistake. Chiles was chased and fumbled by Josaiah Stewart. Grant recovered at the MSU 34-yard line. Two plays later, Zvada hit a 37-yard field goal with two seconds left.

The Spartans dominated the first quarter, having the ball for 13 minutes and 21 seconds while accumulating 135 yards. They averaged 6.1 yards per play and built a 7-0 lead that could have been 10-0, but Jonathan Kim missed a 25-yard field goal after the Spartans' first drive of the game Had driven 68 yards on 14 plays. Kim was 15 for 16 early in the game, and the previous week against Iowa he made six field goals and missed one of 55, although he also made a 55-yarder.

The Spartans took a 7-0 lead when Carter ran from 2 yards out on fourth-and-1. At this point, Michigan had made a three-and-out and had 1 yard. Michigan finished the quarter with 15 yards of total offense.

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