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Michigan 8-0 after hard-fought victory at MSU

Posted at 3:53 PM, Oct 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-29 16:04:57-04

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23 in Big Ten Conference football Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.

The Wolverines entered the contest as 24 1/2-point favorites.

The game was hard fought from the outset. Michigan State jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead before Michigan responded with a pair of scoring runs by Jabrill Peppers and DeVeon Smith to grab a 14-7 lead. Michigan State and Michigan then traded field goals for a 17-10 Wolverine advantage.

Michigan scored with 39 seconds to go in the second quarter on Smith’s second TD of the day for a 24-10 edge. After an interception, Kenny Allen booted a 23-yard field goal as time expired for a 27-10 bulge at halftime.

The two teams traded possessions in a scoreless third period, which featured a Michigan goal-line stand that withstood four straight runs by MSU’s L.J. Scott finishing up at the 2:16 mark.

The Wolverines started off the fourth frame with Allen’s 45-yard field goal at the 14:42 juncture for a 30-10 margin. Michigan State’s Michael Geiger then missed a 34-yard field goal with 10:43 remaining, but the Spartans closed the gap to 30-17 with 7:31 showing on the clock when Brian Lewerke completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Monty Madaris.

A touchdown reception by MSU’s Donnie Corley with 1 second left was followed by a two-point conversion attempt where Peppers picked up a fumble and raced the length of the field to wrap up the scoring for the day between the two arch-rivals.

Michigan, which is ranked No. 2 in the nation this week, improved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big Ten on the season. The Wolverines will host Maryland next Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan State fell to 2-6 and 0-5 in the Big Ten. The Spartans will travel to Illinois next Saturday.