Michigan State tops Michigan to bring back Paul Bunyan Trophy

Little Brother was just better on Saturday night.

Despite not getting into the end zone, Michigan State cruised to a 15-6 victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor, its first victory over the in-state rival Wolverines since 2021, for its first Big Ten win of 2026. The win also snapped a six-game Spartan losing streak that dated back to September.

Liam Boyd belts five FGs for Michigan State

MSU got all its points on five field goals by Liam Boyd, who connected from 21, 37, 38, 24 and 49 yards, the last two coming in the fourth quarter, to stake the visiting Spartans to a lead they would never relinquish. MSU (3-6 overall, 1-5 Big Ten) also came less than two minutes from recording its first shutout at The Big House since 1967. 

The Spartan defense, despite injuries to several key players, came through all night long when it counted, recording five turnovers and seven tackles for loss while limiting Michigan to just under 200 yards of total offense and a mere two first downs. Nikai Martinez led the way with seven tackles total, five of them solo.

The Spartan "D" also came up with a sack of Michigan QB Tommy Carr on a two-point conversion attempt that effectively sealed the Spartan victory. The outcome was cemented on the following play when Michigan was called for illegal touching on an onside kick, and the ball went over to MSU for three successive kneel downs.

Spartan quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who has been dealing with the injury bug himself and hadn't played since Oct. 17, returned to action by completing 21-of-32 passes for 188 yards and no interceptions. Chrishon McCray had six grabs for a game-high 92 yards. 

Michigan State controlled the clock

The Spartan rushing attack racked up 110 yards on 43 carries, with Brandon Tullis leading the way with 86 yards, more than Michigan's entire rushing total (54) on the evening. It also enabled MSU to hold the ball for more than 38 minutes on the clock.

It's a signature win for first-year MSU head coach Pat Fitzgerald, as the victory brings the Paul Bunyan Trophy back to East Lansing for the first time in five years. And though it's a longshot, if the Spartans can figure out a way to best Washington, No. 23 Oregon and Rutgers over the next three weeks, they'll also become bowl-eligible for the first time in five years.

Even if the latter doesn't happen, for one night and up until next year's meeting at Spartan Stadium, the Bunyan bragging rights go to MSU.