East Lansing — Michigan won the latest installment of the in-state rivalry against Michigan State, marking four-straight wins for the Wolverines.
With the win, along with bringing the Paul Bunyan Trophy back to Ann Arbor, Michigan got bowl eligible with its sixth win of the season and played another strong defensive outing.
The Spartans, though, are now losers of five in a row as a free fall from a 3-0 start and questions about Jonathan Smith's viability as the head coach continue.
Rachel Leggett was again on scene for Mitten Football to capture the action.
Michigan players celebrate with the Paul Bunyan Trophy after the win (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Bryce Underwood runs to the end zone for the opening touchdown of the night. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Underwood steps out the side of the end zone after scoring. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)And then hit the Paul Bunyan pose. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Michigan's punt coverage team celebrates downing a Hudson Hollenback punt inside the five. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Jaden Mangham and Nick Marsh, entangled on a play. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Jonathan Smith patrols the Michigan State sideline in his second matchup against Michigan. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Aidan Chiles runs out to the left looking for daylight against the Michigan defense. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)TJ Metcalf wraps up Chiles and starts to bring him down as Michigan defenders swarm. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Metcalf and Jyaire Hill finish off the tackle. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Hill gesticulating toward the MSU side of the line of scrimmage between plays. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Chiles hurdles a fallen defender while running away from several Wolverines. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Jimmy Rolder jumping in celebration as Elijah Tau-Tolliver looks on in frustration. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Andrew Marsh hauls in a pass downfield on a quiet night for the Michigan receivers. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Marsh did finish with three catches for 54 yards. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)TJ Metcalf celebrates a play with his teammates. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Tau-Tolliver eschews Hill down the sideline on a run. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)MSU DL Ben Roberts waves a crutch after returning to the sideline following an injury. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Omari Kelly makes a catch for the Spartans, one of three on the night for him. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Nick Marsh hauls in a pass down the right sideline that nearly resulted in a touchdown, and MSU scored right after. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Sherrone Moore celebrates a play with Wolverine players. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Refs throw a flag on MSU's Josh Eaton for taunting after he stepped over Andrew Marsh. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Marsh getting love from his teammates as the refs discuss with Eaton. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)UM defensive line coach Lou Esposito celebrates a play with Hill. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Esposito looking happy on the sideline. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)MSU backup QB Alessio Milivojevic up off the ground after drawing a roughing the passer call in garbage time. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Michigan safety Rod Moore didn't play but did have a key job: Wearing the chains for various teammates while they played. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Paul Bunyan, wearing buffs postgame. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Hill goes for a tackle on MSU's Chrishon McCray. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)The MSU defense celebrates a stop as Underwood failed to pick the line to gain. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Chiles celebrates an MSU touchdown. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Derrick Moore brings down Chiles, who committed intentional grounding with this attempted throwaway. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Paul Bunyan, wearing the winged helmet. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)
