Michigan takes back the Paul Bunyan trophy
Shea Patterson celebrates following the Wolverine victory over the Spartans.
EAST LANSING — The Paul Bunyan Trophy is back in Ann Arbor following (6) Michigan’s 21-7 win over (24) Michigan State. While the rivalry has been amicable over the past few years, 2018 will mark the start of renewed hostilities between the two programs.
Prior to the Spartans walking across the field, Michigan’s Devin Bush kicked and skidded his feet across the Spartan’s midfield logo. Michigan State responded by by walking across their field and moving Bush and others out of their way as they completed their march. In his post game press conference, Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh called the actions “bush league” and went as far as saying Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio was 5 yards away and smiling. Dantonio responded by calling Harbaugh’s comment “B.S.” and not elaborating any further.
Both teams’ best defensive efforts were on display. The Spartans only allowed the Wolverines to score 21 points when they’d been averaging about 38 prior to the game. Michigan’s defense held the Spartans to only 94 yards.
On the first play of the second quarter, Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson connected with Nico Collins for a 6 yard score as the Wolverines took a 7-0 lead.
The Spartans responded in the third with trick play that saw Brian Lewerke hand the ball off to Darrell Stewart who then threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Lewerke in the endzone and tied the game at 7.
Michigan then scored 14 unanswered points that included a 79 touchdown pass from Patterson to Donovan Peoples-Jones and a 5 yard Ben Mason touchdown run.
Patterson finished the game 14 of 25 for 212 yards and Karan Higdon rushed for 144 yards on 33 carries. Lewerke was replaced by Rocky Lombardi after throwing 5 for 25 for only 66 yards. Felton Davis III tore his Achilles and is out for the rest of the season.
Michigan put a Wolverine helmet on the Paul Bunyan trophy following the game and danced on Michigan State’s logo after the game. The Spartans will not forget and will likely respond when the two teams play in 2019.
The Spartans host Purdue in their next match up. The Boilermakers are coming off a victory against (2) Ohio State. Michigan is on a bye and will face Penn State at home on November 3rd.
