The Wolverine Now

BY JOHN BORTON A Michigan season that took a downward dive when it hit conference play skidded to a halt in Spartan Stadium, the Wolverines hitting a brick wall in a 35-11 loss to their in- state rivals. The thumping proved as complete as it was agonizing for the visitors. Michigan State rolled up 446 yards of offense to Michigan's 186, limited the Wolverines to 65 yards rush- ing, and collected three turnovers by fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner, including an interception returned for a touchdown. MSU tailback Jeremy Langford rushed 35 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns, out-scoring and nearly out-gaining the Wolver- ines on his own. Meanwhile, MSU quarterback Connor Cook connected on 12 of 22 passes for 227 yards and one touchdown, finding a favorite target in wideout Tony Lippett, who snagged three receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. Michigan couldn't counter effectively, Gard- ner going 13-of-28 passing for 121 yards and a pair of interceptions. Sophomore running back De'Veon Smith paced a sputtering U-M rush- ing attack with 39 yards on 11 tries. All in all, it was a long afternoon into eve- ning in East Lansing for the Wolverines, who barely got to wave at the Paul Bunyan trophy before the Spartans put it away for a second straight year, and the sixth in the last seven. "Obviously, it's not the results we worked for and wanted," head coach Brady Hoke said. "Putting 11 points on the board and giving up 35 is not what we're accustomed to, nor do we want to do that." The Wolverines (3-5 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) haven't wanted much of what they've gotten this season. Against the Spartans, they simply couldn't do much about it. From the very first drive, MSU held the up- per hand, clenched as usual into a fist. Cook carved up huge chunks of yardage on Michigan during the opening drive. He fired passes of 24 and 20 yards to Lippett and wide receiver Keith Mumphrey, respectively, be- 35 11 FIVE BEST PLAYERS OF THE GAME 1. Michigan State running back Jeremy Langford — They say whichever team runs it the best in this series wins. Langford rushed for 110 yards more than Michigan, with 177 on 35 tries. He also scored three touchdowns. 2. Michigan State safety R.J. Williamson — Williamson made the play that essentially put the game out of reach, tipping a Devin Gardner pass, picking it off and racing back 29 yards with it for a touchdown to put the Spartans up, 21-3, in the third quarter. 3. Michigan State middle linebacker Taiwan Jones — Jones secured eight tackles, in- cluding a sack, with two tackles for loss. He also broke up a pass and dove in for a pickoff of a Gardner shovel pass. 4. Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook — Cook provided just enough steadiness, throwing for 227 yards and one 70-yard touchdown, while not getting picked off. 5. Michigan fifth-year senior linebacker Jake Ryan — Ryan managed 12 tackles for the Wolverines, including one tackle for loss. On a day when the Wolverines' offense couldn't get it in gear, Ryan's effort symbolized a defense that kept things close for a half. — John Borton

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