East Lansing, Mich. — Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall carried No. 25 Michigan to a hard-fought rivalry victory Saturday night, pounding away at Michigan State’s defense to secure a 31–20 win at Spartan Stadium.
The Wolverines (6–2, 4–1 Big Ten) leaned heavily on their ground game, as Haynes rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns and Marshall added 110 yards and a score. The dominant backfield duo allowed Michigan to overcome a sluggish passing performance from freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who threw for just 86 yards but added a rushing touchdown.
“We’ve got two backs who play physical and wear you down over four quarters,” head coach Sherrone Moore said. “That’s what Michigan football is all about.”
Ground Game Overcomes Passing Woes
With the passing game sputtering, Michigan’s offense turned old-school — controlling the tempo and letting its offensive line impose its will. The Wolverines struck early when Underwood capped the first-quarter drive with a 13-yard touchdown run, posing in the end zone like the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the prize for the annual rivalry winner.
Michigan State (3–5, 0–5 Big Ten) fought back, cutting the deficit to 10–7 on quarterback Aidan Chiles’ 1-yard sneak after Makhi Frazier broke free for a 49-yard run. But Michigan reestablished control after halftime, taking advantage of Spartan penalties and miscues.
An offsides call negated what would have been a costly Underwood fumble, and on the next play Haynes powered in from five yards out to extend the lead. Late in the third quarter, Haynes struck again with a 14-yard touchdown run that put Michigan ahead 24–7.
Spartans Missed Their Chances
Michigan State’s comeback attempts faltered late. Trailing 24–13 in the fourth quarter, the Spartans drove deep into Michigan territory but failed to convert on fourth-and-3 from the 27-yard line. On the following possession, they again came up short when Chiles was stopped on a quarterback keeper at the Wolverines’ 29.
The Wolverines capitalized immediately — Marshall burst through a seam for a 56-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.
Chiles finished 14 of 28 for 130 yards and lost a fumble before being replaced by Alessio Milivojevic, who connected on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Michael Masunas in the final minutes. Afterward, Chiles gave himself a harsh self-assessment: “I’d give myself a D-minus. Careless with the ball.”
Frazier was a bright spot for Michigan State, posting a career-high 109 rushing yards, but penalties and missed opportunities proved costly. The Spartans committed 12 penalties for 105 yards, including several that extended Michigan drives.
“It came down to sloppy play,” Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said. “Too many mistakes in critical moments.”
Haynes’ Return Sparks Wolverines
After missing last week’s win over Washington with an injury, Haynes looked fully healthy, carrying the ball 26 times for 152 yards at an average of 5.8 yards per carry.
“It was huge having him back,” Moore said. “He sets the tone for this team — physical, consistent, and confident.”
Rivalry Streak Grows
The win was Michigan’s fourth straight over Michigan State, adding to their dominance in the in-state rivalry.
“It means everything to us,” Moore said. “We take pride in this game — it’s personal.”
Up Next
Michigan: Hosts Purdue next Saturday at the Big House.
Michigan State: Travels to Minnesota for a Thursday night matchup on Nov. 1.
Michigan didn’t need flash — just grit, toughness, and a relentless running game. Behind Haynes and Marshall, the Wolverines proved once again that power football still wins rivalries in the Big Ten.
