ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A 38-yard field goal with seconds left in the 4th quarter lifted the Michigan Wolverines past the Michigan State Spartans, 12-10, Saturday in Ann Arbor.
Denard Robinson passed for 163 yards and rushed for another 96. After the Michigan defense stopped Michigan State deep in its own territory and forced a punt, Robinson converted a first down with his legs and set up the go-ahead field goal with his arm, firing a 20-yard strike down the middle to Drew Dileo.
The Spartans (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten), who kept the Wolverines out of the end zone, were stopped on third-and-goal with 6:14 left in the game and had to settle for a 19-yard field goal by Dan Conroy, taking their final lead at 10-9.
Michigan (5-2, 3-0) got on the board with a pair of field goals in the first half and took a 6-0 lead into the break. Sophomore Matt Wile, who is usually in charge of kickoffs and punts, booted a 48-yard kick through the uprights with 1:07 left in the half after Gibbons had converted a 24-yard try 9:13 earlier.
Michigan State finally scored with 7:19 left in the third quarter when Andrew Maxwell guided a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Maxwell went 5-for-5 on the drive, including a 2-yard pass to Paul Lang for the touchdown and a 7-6 lead.
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1st Quarter:
Michigan State received the kickoff and had a good return, but went three and out. The Spartans would punt on their first possession. Michigan also went three and out and punted. The Spartans got the ball back but could not get anything going. They punted.
Michigan got the ball at their own 19 yard line. The Wolverines broke through the Spartans defense for a 1st down at their own 41. Michigan was unable to convert on a 3rd and 15 situation. They punted again from midfield.
The Spartans got the ball at their own 20 yard line with 4:08 left in the 1st quarter. QB Andrew Maxwell threw for a first down. However, they would have to punt on the next set of downs.
Michigan got the ball deep in their own territory.
Score: Michigan 0, Michigan State 0
2nd Quarter:
Michigan began the 2nd quarter with the ball on their own 19. QB Denard Robinson threw to Drew Dileo for 20 yards. Robinson and Dileo hooked up for another first down as the Wolverines crossed midfield. Michigan RB Fitzgerald Toussaint ran it all the way down to the Spartan 6 yard line. However, they had to settle for a field goal.
Spartans QB Maxwell hooked up with WR Fowler for a 50-yard pass. State had the ball at Michigan's 40 yard line. Michigan State failed to convert on a 3rd and short situation at Michigan's 20 yard line. Dan Conroy then missed a 38-yard field goal.
Michigan took over at their own 21 yard line. They could not get anything going on offense as the Spartans contained Robinson. The Wolverines punted.
State got the ball at their own 45 after a 15-yard punt return. The Spartans could not convert on 3rd and 10 and were forced to punt again.
Michigan took over at their own 10 yard line. Robinson and Dileo hooked up for another big passing play -- 32 yards to State's 35. Michigan was then forced to kick -- Matt Wile made a 48-yarder.
The Spartans had the ball at their own 20-yard line with 1:07 remaining in the half. The Spartans punted with 23 seconds left in the half. Michigan nearly returned the ball to Spartans territory.
HALFTIME: Michigan 6, Michigan State 0
3rd Quarter:
Michigan received the ball and started the half at their own 20 yard line. The Wolverines were forced to punt from their own 40 yard line. State would take over at their own 20.
Michigan State moved the ball to midfield. They got into Michigan territory with a couple first downs. They marched it down to the Michigan 11 yard line. They would score on a Maxwell throw and take the lead with the extra point.
Michigan started their next drive at their own 33. They would be forced to punt after a short, unsuccessful drive. State took over at their own 20.
The Spartans went three and out. They punted and Michigan took over at their own 27.
Michigan was smothered by the Spartan defense, forcing them to pun on 4th and 16. State took over at their own 48 yard line after a shanked punt.
Michigan intercepted a Maxwell throw. Michigan marched down to the Micigan State red zone.
Score: Michigan 6, Michigan State 7
4th Quarter:
Michigan took the ball all the way to State's 4 yard line. It was 2nd and goal. Michigan could not complete a couple passes to the end zone. They settled for a 21-yard field goal, which they made to take the lead.
Michigan State fumbled the ball at their own 10 yard line but recovered. They would get the first down on the next play. However, they had to punt on the next set of downs. But they faked it, successfully. The Spartans marched into Michigan territory with key passing plays. They had it at the Michigan 6 yard line for a first and goal opportunity. The Spartans had to settle for a field goal. Conroy made the 19-yard shot.
Michigan's Robinson finally broke free for a long run. Offensive penalties backed Michigan up to midfield. Michigan would have to punt on 4th and 22. Michigan State took over at their own 10 with 3:07 left in regulation.
Michigan State recovered a fumble, again. They would have to punt. Michigan took over at their own 38. Michigan used their final timeout with 18 seconds remainingand the ball on the MSU 43 yard line. State then took their 2nd timeout. Michigan was able to get it down to the 22 yard line where the spiked the ball. They made a 38-yard field goal for the win.
Score: Michigan 12, Michigan State 10