Rehash & Analysis: Michigan hammers Michigan State, 49-0; worst home loss in Spartan football history

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State began the season trying to celebrate 100 years of football at Spartan Stadium but on Saturday night, the Spartans endured the lowest point in the history of the old grounds as Michigan manhandled Michigan State, 49-0.

On a cold drizzly night, by the time the game ended, only the heartiest Spartan fans remained in the stadium, and they were outnumbered drastically by joyful, loud Michigan fans, whose team improved to 8-0 on the season. Michigan State fell to 2-5. 

It was the worst home defeat in Michigan State football history and the largest margin of victory for Michigan over Michigan State in Spartan Stadium since a 42-0 win in 1983. It was the worst Michigan State loss against Michigan since 55-0 in 1947.

The fact that it came a year after last season’s incident in the Michigan Stadium tunnel which led to assault charges against seven Spartan football players had to make the victory that much more satisfying for the Wolverines.

“They’re a Top 10 team,” said Michigan State interim head coach Harlon Barnett. “They were superior to us tonight. We got our butts kicked.”

Michigan State has lost five straight games since former head coach Mel Tucker was suspended and then fired for allegations of sexual misconduct.

“This too shall pass at some point in time,” Barnett said. “I don’t know when.

“I told them after the game I’ve been trying to make sure we stay together. That’s been my number one thing since I’ve been put in this position. I was trying to be compassionate to the players. But I told them now I’m just going to be me, all the way.”

Michigan State didn’t have turnovers and special teams gaffes to blame for this one. No. 2-ranked Michigan dominated every facet, outgaining the Spartans 477-190.

“No one wants to lose the way we lost, especially to a rival in our house,” said Michigan State running back Nathan Carter. “The hatred we have for each other is real. I was able to see that first-hand on the field. We have to try to learn fro this and grow from this and finish our season out strong.”

News broke earlier in the week that Michigan is being investigated by the NCAA for illegally stealing signs from opposing teams. Michigan State interim head coach Harlon Barnett said he never considered canceling the game due to player safety issues in regard to the issue.

“At some point someone mentioned not playing the game but I said let’s play the game. Let’s play the game,” Barnett said. “It don’t get you till it gets you. Just remember that.”

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Michigan State QB Katin Houser was held to 12-of-22 passing for 101 yards.

Freshman QB Sam Leavitt played in the fourth quarter and showed a quick release and good zip, completing 4 of 7 passes for 32 yards and one interception. The interception was not his fault, as his pass went through the hands of senior WR Tre Mosley and into those of Michigan defensive back Ja’Den McBurrows.

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy completed 21 of 27 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns.

Michigan tight ends A.J. Barner and Colston Loveland were dominant targets. Barner had eight catches for 99 yards and one TD. Loveland had four catches for 79 yards and two TDs.

Blake Corum led Michigan in rushing with 59 yards on 15 carries. If there was one area in which Michigan State played respectable football, it was run defense. Michigan ball carries averaged 3.5 yards per attempt.

Michigan State was held to 57 yards rushing on 28 attempts (2.0 per).

Michigan State had 11 penalties for 102 yards. Michigan was penalized seven times for 65 yards. Michigan State had four personal fouls and Michigan had two.

Aaron Brule led Michigan State with 11 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack in one of his better games as a Spartan. Malik Spencer also had 11 stops.

Michigan tailback Nathan Carter rushed 17 times for 36 yards (2.1 per) and had two catches for 25 yards. 

THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS MAKE EARLY DIFFERENCE

Michigan State came into the game ranked No. 3 in the nation in third down defense, but Michigan sliced up the Spartans in this category early and often, making an immediate impact on the scoreboard.

Michigan scored touchdowns on its first three possessions, with third-and-long conversions on each drive.

On the opening drive, McCarthy found tight end A.J. Barner for 21 yards on third-and-14. Michigan State played cover-four zone and put pressure on McCarthy. But the junior quarterback escaped to the outside. Barner mirrored him and became open downfield. 

Then on third-and-four, McCarthy found WR Roman Wilson on an over route for 25 yards as Michigan State had a bust in man-to-man coverage.

Michigan’s second TD drive was aided by a third-and-13 conversion when McCarthy found running back Donovan Edwards on a swing pass for a gain of 14.

One play later, linebacker Jordan Hall wound up covering inside receiver Wilson for some reason, and Wilson came open for a 25-yard TD catch and a 14-0 lead. 

Michigan’s third touchdown drive was fueled by a third-and-seven completion to Loveland for 15 yards. Eight plays later, the 6-foot-5 Loveland posted up 5-foot-10 nickel back Angelo Grose for a 22-yard touchdown reception and a 21-0 lead.

Michigan created matchup problems by going with two-TE formations, which led Michigan State to match it with a bigger, 4-3 alignment. However that created problems in pass defense against Michigan’s tight ends, who run tight routes, have speed to get downfield and possess large catch radii.

Michigan converted seven of their first nine third down situations in dominating the Spartans in this area of the game, as well as many others. 

MICHIGAN TRIED TO KEEP IT DOWN

Michigan didn’t seem interested in running up the score in the fourth quarter, sticking mostly with ground plays, and working to eat up the play clock with back-ups and walk-ons.

A third-and-10 run by reserve Michigan running back Benjamin Hall was stopped for a gain of one at the Spartan 11-yard line, with less than :25 seconds to play. But Michigan State defensive tackle Maverick Hansen was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty. That gave Michigan a first-and-goal situation at the 6-yard line. Michigan capitalized with fourth-string QB Alex Orji scoring on a 6-yard run with :08 seconds left to make the final score 49-0.