Michigan-Michigan St. Preview

Ever since former Michigan running back Mike Hart referred to Michigan State as the Wolverines' little brother in 2007, the Spartans haven't lost to their in-state rivals.

Coach Mark Dantonio has made it a point to take control of the rivalry with Michigan, and now Michigan State has a chance to tie a school record in the series.

The 23rd-ranked Spartans look to win four straight over their rivals for the first time in nearly 50 years when they host No. 11 Michigan on Saturday.

Michigan State (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) fell 28-24 in that 2007 meeting but has won the three matchups since, including 34-17 last season. Michigan had won the previous six meetings before the Spartans' winning streak.

Michigan State hasn't won four straight in the series since 1959-62.

"The things that people hold great value in, and I think that this game is one of them, I believe in making it important," Dantonio said. "From day one when we walked in here, we pointed towards that. There were others who said that we couldn't (beat Michigan). So, we wanted to make a point. I think we've made the point and we'll go on from there.

"You tend not to forget what's gone on in these games."

The matchups also have had more of an impact on the conference and national landscape in recent years. The winner of Saturday's game will be in sole possession of first place in the Legends Division, and it will mark the first time since 1956-58 both teams will be ranked in the Top 25 in three straight meetings.

"Obviously the guys know what the history has been," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said. "The rivalry is a tremendous rivalry because of the passion for both schools that people have. The alums, people within the state, you kind of draw the line that you're a Spartan fan or you're a Wolverine fan and that's what makes college football and that's what makes it so exciting."

Hoke has helped bring excitement back to Michigan (6-0, 2-0) in his first season at the helm after three straight disappointing seasons. The Wolverines can win their first seven games for the first time since 2006.

Denard Robinson has been a major reason for the turnaround. He threw for 337 yards and two touchdowns while adding 117 yards and two scores rushing in a 42-24 win over Northwestern last week.

The Wolverines trailed 24-14 at halftime before outscoring the Wildcats 28-0 in the second half.

Robinson's 120.0 yards per game rushing ranks ninth in the FBS for a Michigan offense which is second in the Big Ten averaging 457.5 total yards.

"Obviously, it all starts with Robinson. That goes without saying," Dantonio said. "He can dish it to where he needs to go, whether it's wide receivers or running backs."

Robinson, though, threw three interceptions against Northwestern, and his nine picks are tied for third in the country. He also threw three interceptions and rushed for only 86 yards in last season's loss to the Spartans.

Robinson had entered that contest averaging 181.0 yards rushing through the first five games of 2010, and it may not get much easier for the dynamic quarterback in this meeting.

Michigan State has the top-ranked defense in the nation, allowing 173.4 yards per game - 64.0 rushing. The Spartans, coming off a bye week, allowed 178 total yards in a 10-7 victory over Ohio State on Oct. 1.

They've allowed seven points or less four times this season.

"You look at their defense as a whole and I think the whole team is very well coached, because I have a lot of respect for Mark Dantonio," Hoke said. "He's a defensive coach, and his mindset and vision of how they are going to play defense; I think they are athletic. I think they play with good team speed, and they are going to be a physical presence out on the field."

The Spartans' offense, though, struggled at times against Ohio State. Michigan State committed three turnovers, including two interceptions by Kirk Cousins, with one coming in the end zone.

His lone touchdown pass went to B.J. Cunningham, who had nine catches for 154 yards. Cunningham is 11th in the nation with 116.4 yards per game.

Cunningham was held to 40 yards in last season's meeting, but Edwin Baker ran for 147 of Michigan State's 249 yards on the ground.

The Spartans' last two wins at home in the series have come in dramatic fashion. They won 26-20 in overtime Oct. 2, 2009, and scored on a touchdown pass with no time remaining for a 26-24 victory Nov. 3, 2001. Michigan won the three meetings at Spartan Stadium in between.

© 2011 STATS LLC

No. 23 MSU beats No. 11 Michigan again, 28-14

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Jerel Worthy and his Michigan State teammates charged across the field, holding four fingers in the air while celebrating another sweet victory over their biggest rival.

"A clean sweep!" Worthy yelled.

In his four years with the Spartans, Worthy has never lost to Michigan. He and the rest of Michigan State's defensive line helped extend that run Saturday, shutting down Denard Robinson and the 11th-ranked Wolverines in a 28-14 victory.

The 23rd-ranked Spartans have won four straight against Michigan for the first time since 1959-62, equaling Michigan State's longest streak in the series.

"For the rest of our life, we can walk the streets of Michigan," quarterback Kirk Cousins said.

Cousins, a fifth-year senior, is the first Michigan State starting quarterback to win three straight over Michigan.

Keshawn Martin scored twice in the third quarter on similar lunges to the end zone, and Michigan State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) held off Robinson and the Wolverines during a wild fourth quarter.

Michigan (6-1, 2-1) lost for the first time under coach Brady Hoke. The Wolverines had a chance to tie it, but Robinson was sacked on fourth-and-1 from the Michigan State 9-yard line with 6:16 to play.

Robinson later threw an interception, and Isaiah Lewis returned it 39 yards for a touchdown with 4:31 left to make it 28-14. Shortly after that, Robinson was shaken up by a hit and left the game.

Edwin Baker ran for 167 yards and a touchdown for the Spartans.

"It's a big win, a program win," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "To do that a fourth straight year says a lot about our players."

Michigan State took the field in special green-and-bronze Nike Pro Combat uniforms. In a surprise move, Michigan showed up in "legacy" uniforms by Adidas that included pants that were white instead of the usual maize.

The Wolverines haven't beaten the Spartans since 2007, when then-Michigan running back Mike Hart compared Michigan State to a "little brother" and Dantonio shot back by saying the Wolverines needed "to check themselves." Dantonio said after that game that "pride comes before the fall" - and now it's Michigan State enjoying the spoils of victory in this series, keeping the Paul Bunyan Trophy from its in-state foe.

Worthy, a standout defensive tackle, is a redshirt junior. He has a tattoo displaying a Spartan stomping on a Wolverine.

"We're always fighting for respect," Worthy said. "I feel even better about getting that tattoo now."

The Spartans, who tied for the Big Ten title last year, are now alone atop the Legends Division with a big home game against Wisconsin coming up next weekend.

This week, Michigan State was coming off an open date. Michigan has one next weekend.

"They need to feel this one," Hoke said. "We all need to feel this one for a while. But we'll turn the page."

Robinson ran for a first-quarter touchdown but was mostly ineffective through the air, going 9 for 24 for 123 yards and a touchdown on a windy day in East Lansing.

Down 21-7, Robinson found Roy Roundtree for a 34-yard touchdown with 9:49 left in the game. Martin then fumbled on an end around, giving Michigan the ball at the Michigan State 32.

After converting fourth-and-1 from the 23 with a short run, Robinson faced the same down and distance from the 9. Michigan called a slow-developing play-action attempt, and Johnny Adams sacked Robinson to end the drive.

After Michigan got the ball back, Robinson's pass was intercepted by Lewis, who took it back for a touchdown. Lewis risked a penalty by holding the ball out before crossing the goal line, but the touchdown stood.

The Spartans didn't always handle the emotionally charged game well, committing 13 penalties for 124 yards.

Robinson's day ended late in the fourth when he was thrown down by Marcus Rush, who was called for roughing the passer. The Michigan quarterback stood on the sideline, green grass stains all over his uniform, as the Spartans finished off another win over the Wolverines.

"I got a little beat up," Robinson said.

Hoke said he didn't know what the injury was. Robinson said it was not a concussion.

With the game tied at 7, Michigan State went on a 54-yard drive to start the third quarter. On third-and-goal from the 10, Cousins found Martin, who caught the ball at the 5 near the right sideline and managed to stay in bounds before extending the ball across the goal line while being knocked backward toward the end zone.

Martin caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Cousins in the final minute of the third, dodging a tackler and diving to that same front corner of the end zone.

Michigan State entered the game ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense, and its defensive line gave Robinson problems all day.

Each team scored on its first possession of the game. Robinson gave Michigan a 7-0 lead with a 15-yard run, and the Spartans answered with a 63-yard drive that ended with Baker's 1-yard scoring run.

Devin Gardner tried to rally Michigan after Robinson departed late in the fourth. He had a touchdown pass called back because he was well past the line of scrimmage when he threw the ball. On fourth-and-21 from the Michigan State 44, Gardner began running to the right sideline, then doubled back to the middle of the field, then circled back again to the same sideline before being stopped. Gardner had a receiver open deep down the field toward the end of the play but either couldn't see him or couldn't get rid of the ball.

NOTES: Andrew Johnson, a 19-year-old Michigan State sophomore, won a 2012 GMC Acadia valued at over $32,000 by kicking a 40-yard field goal as part of an in-game contest. The wind appeared to switch directions - in his favor - when he attempted the kick. ... Michigan State's previous four-game winning streak in the series was part of a 6-0-2 stretch against Michigan from 1956-63.

© 2011 STATS LLC