Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

The fifth and final installment of this year’s series looking back at the Michigan-MSU football rivalry takes us to 2012. Brady Hoke announced his presence with authority during the previous season, but the Wolverines were routed by Michigan State that year. Michigan’s ascendence set the Wolverines on the trajectory for a head-on collision with the Spartans, and their 2012 matchup would prove to be a slugfest.

The Wolverines and the Spartans might adapt to high-scoring, flashy, modern football against other opponents, but when they play each other the game is usually decided by hard-nosed blocking and tackling. The game remained scoreless throughout the first quarter, but Michigan was able to find some success in the passing game when Denard Robinson connected with wide receiver Drew Dileo, who would play a much larger role later in the game. With the defense concentrating on Dileo, Fitzgerald Toussaint rumbled 36 yards on a trap play, taking the ball to the Michigan State 6-yard line. The drive stalled as the Michigan State defense stiffened, and Michigan settled for a field goal from Brendan Gibbons, who would also play a very big role late in the game.

But Michigan State wouldn’t go quietly. Spartan quarterback Andrew Maxwell connected with Bennie Fowler for a 45-yard gain, and Michigan State was marching down the field. This time, the Michigan defense rose to the occasion and the Spartan drive ended when Dan Conroy missed a critical field goal. The game continued in that vein until Maxwell found tight end Paul Lang in the end zone on a play action pass in the third quarter, giving Michigan State its first lead. A lonely cheer went up in The Big House, but most in the crowd of 113,833 remained silent, concerned by Michigan State’s sudden rally. The Spartans threatened to extend their lead, but Jordan Kovacs put an end to that when he intercepted a Maxwell pass and returned it 34 yards to the Michigan State 38-yard line, shifting the possession and the momentum back to Michigan.

With 18 seconds remaining in regulation time, Robinson connected with Dileo for a 20-yard gain to the Michigan State 21-yard line, setting up a field goal attempt. Gibbons then knocked a 38-yard field goal through the uprights, and Michigan held on for a 12-10 victory in a classic defensive struggle.

Thanks to the Big Ten Network, YouTube, and YouTube poster Pizza Pizzichetti for the broadcast of this game. As always, we own nothing and this blog post is provided strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

The fourth installment of the series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us back to 2011. After three years of Rich Rodriguez, the football gods (and Dave Brandon) rescued the maize and blue from the defensive chaos that existed throughout the Rodriguez regime. Brady Hoke was named the new coach, and his team tore through the first six games on its schedule, highlighted by a thrilling comeback victory over Notre Dame. Suddenly, Michigan fans and alumni were looking at the football world through maize and blue shades!

Unfortunately, every party ends on a sober note, eventually. Hoke had long served as an assistant under both Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr, and he was well acquainted with the nuances of the Paul Bunyan rivalry. One of the quirks of the series is that first-year coaches are often given a rude introduction to the game.

Hoke appeared to have the Wolverines ready to face Michigan State, but Spartan coach Mark Dantonio was obsessed with beating Michigan. Adding another challenge, this game would be played at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, a venue with a dubious history in the series.

Wearing throwback alternate uniforms, the Wolverines struck first when Denard Robinson scored on a 15-yard run. Michigan got off to a good start, but Hoke sensed a serious threat to his team’s perfect record.

By 2011, many teams preferred to use complicated passing schemes, but the Paul Bunyan rivalry has always been decided by fundamental execution of no-nonsense power football. On this day, Michigan State seized the moment by committing to a hard-nosed running game, gaining 213 yards on 39 carries. After repeatedly probing the Michigan defense, Edwin Baker rammed the ball over the goal line to tie the score in the first quarter. Baker’s touchdown enabled the Spartans to take control of the game, and it also opened up the Michigan secondary, allowing Kirk Cousins to connect with Keshawn Martin for a pair of touchdown passes in the third quarter. Michigan closed the gap when Robinson connected with Roy Roundtree for a 34-yard scoring pass, but that was as close the Wolverines got. Michigan State went on to win, 28-14, for the Spartans’ fourth consecutive victory in the rivalry.

Michigan rebounded from the loss to finish the season with an 11-2 record, topping Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. The victory restored Michigan’s place in the national college football discussion. Unfortunately, the next step wouldn’t be so easy.

Thanks to ESPN, YouTube, and YouTube poster MSUAndyHRCMB for the accompanying highlight video of the game. As always, we own nothing and this blog postis provided strictly for the enjoyment of readers.