Recap: Michigan vs. Michigan State
Sports Network | October 25, 2008
Ann Arbor, MI (Sports Network) - Javon Ringer carried 37 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns, as the Michigan State Spartans retained the Paul Bunyan Trophy with a 35-21 win at Big Ten foe Michigan.
The Spartans (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) also found plenty of success with the passing game, as Brian Hoyer finished with 282 yards and three touchdowns passing. Blair White had four catches for 143 yards and a touchdown.
Michigan (2-6, 1-3) quarterback Steven Threet completed only 13-of-27 passes for 168 yards, and he was intercepted three times.
Hoyer put the Spartans on the scoreboard first with a tone-setting, 61-yard touchdown pass to White three minutes into the game.
The Wolverines tied it up later in the quarter, when Threet connected with Brandon Minor for a 19-yard touchdown pass.
The defenses kept things tight through most of the second quarter, until Ringer broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown run with 1:02 remaining until halftime.
But Michigan drove 65 yards in three plays, and Minor scored on a two-yard run to tie the score at 14 heading into the locker room.
The Wolverines took a 21-14 lead with 9:49 to play in the third quarter, when Threet scored on a two-yard run.
Later in the third quarter, Hoyer hooked up with Charlie Gantt for a four-yard touchdown pass to make it a 21-21 game.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Spartans. Ringer put Michigan State ahead on a three-yard touchdown run with 6:59 remaining, capping an eight-play, 82- yard drive.
The Spartans added an insurance touchdown with 3:06 to play, as Hoyer connected with Josh Rouse for a seven-yard scoring strike.
Michigan State held a decisive 10-minute edge in time of possession, as the Spartans enjoyed a 473-252 advantage in total offense.
