Fox reporter explains why Andrel Anthony chose Michigan

Michigan freshman wide reciever Andrel Anthony is having the best game of his young Michigan career against his hometown team.

Anthony, an East Lansing native who went to East Lansing High School, spurned the hometown Spartans in favor of Michigan. During Saturday’s broadcast of the in-state rivalry, FOX’s Jenny Taft explained why.

“It was all his dad,” Taft said. “Huge Wolverines fan growing up. But Anthony originally thought he’d pursue basketball, that’s his family’s favorite sport, until Michigan showed interest in him in football. … The deciding factor? Well, it was the first time he saw the Big House. His mom said, ‘I’ve never seen him smile so big.’ No doubt a proud Anthony family in East Lansing today.”

Andrel Anthony, who had zero career receptions prior to Saturday’s has four, two for touchdowns, for 136 total yards against Michigan State.

Anthony’s first touchdown came on Michigan’s first drive of the game. After coming up with an interception deep in their own territory, Michigan took advantage of the turnover, as Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara found Anthony for a 93-yard touchdown to put Michigan up 7-0 early in the first quarter. Andrel Anthony found an opening to pick up the first down, then raced nearly 70 yards down the left sideline after the catch past Spartans defenders for the touchdown.

Then, in the second quarter, Michigan backup quarterback, freshman J.J McCarthy found fellow freshman Anthony wide open in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown pass to put Michigan ahead 20-14.

Andrel Anthony was a three-star prospect out of East Lansing High School. Anthony committed to the Wolverines in late July 2020, spurning his hometown Spartans and 26 additional offers. 

Michigan leads Michigan State 23-14 at halftime.

All eyes are on Saturday’s battle between the Spartans and Wolverines as the winner of Saturday’s game controls their own destiny, while the loser will likely need some help to reach the Big Ten title game. Both teams still have games against Ohio State and Penn State on the calendar.

Michigan State-Michigan is the hottest ticket in town this Saturday, as the Spartans host not just the Wolverines, but also ESPN’s flagship college football show, College GameDay.

Saturday marks the first time College GameDay has traveled to East Lansing since Sept. 12, 2015, when then-No. 5 Michigan State topped No. 7 Oregon, 31-28.

Michigan leads the series 71-37-5 all-time, but Michigan State has won six of the last 10 meetings. The game kicked off at noon ET on Fox.