advertisement

No. 21 Michigan State making last year look like aberration

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State has made last season look like an aberration.

And, the Mark Dantonio-led Spartans have proven their dominance against Michigan is no fluke.

"We've done it eight times," Dantonio said. "I don't know why there's a lot of doubt."

With a defense that took advantage of mistakes and an offense that didn't make many miscues, double-digit underdog Michigan State beat the seventh-ranked Wolverines 14-10 in the series' first game completely under the lights. For the first time in a rivalry that stretches back to 1898, the Spartans have beaten their rivals eight times in a 10-year stretch.

A season after slipping to 3-9 and having a scandal shake the program, the 21st-ranked Spartans (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) are showing Dantonio has built a program strong enough to bounce back from on- and off-the-field setbacks.

"I knew that our football team and our program would come back to the top," Dantonio said Saturday night.

Several months ago, there were questions about whether Michigan State would even have its annual spring game and some were %href_on(file:

An overview of Michigan Stadium seen from the student section at the start of the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. Michigan State won 14-10. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) The Associated Press
Michigan quarterback John O'Korn (8) throws as Michigan State linebacker Andrew Dowell (5) pressures during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Associated Press
Michigan State safety David Dowell (6) stiff arms Michigan wide receiver Grant Perry (88) after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Associated Press
Michigan State linebacker Andrew Dowell (5) and safety David Dowell (6) celebrate after an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan State won 14-10. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Associated Press
Michigan quarterback John O'Korn walks off the field after an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. Michigan State won 14-10. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) The Associated Press
Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie (35) and teammates breaks up a pass-attempt intended for Michigan wide receiver Kekoa Crawford (1) in the final seconds of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) The Associated Press
Michigan State safety David Dowell (6) celebrates after a Michigan pass-attempt was broken up in the end zone in the final seconds of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) The Associated Press
Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) stretches for yardage as he is pushed out of bounds by Michigan linebacker Noah Furbush (59) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Associated Press
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh looks at the scoreboard along the sideline in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) The Associated Press
Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) breaks through the Michigan defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Associated Press
Michigan State running back Madre London (28) celebrates his rushing touchdown with guard Tyler Higby (70) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Associated Press
Michigan State running back Gerald Holmes (24) rushes through tackles and into Michigan defensive back Brandon Watson (28) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) The Associated Press
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio watches warmups for an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.