Bringing down the Big House!
Ringer's big game leaves Michigan feeling blue; Spartans win at Michigan for first time since 1990
By Jacob Carpenter (Last updated: 10/25/08 11:11pm)Ann Arbor — Six straight losses to Michigan — over.
Eight consecutive losses at Michigan Stadium since 1990 — over.
Snarky putdowns of “little brother” and guarantees of victory against MSU — over.
The Spartans (7-2 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) rode a near-flawless performance from senior quarterback Brian Hoyer and nearly 200 rushing yards from senior running back Javon Ringer to a 35-21 win Saturday in a fiery battle before more than 110,000 fans at Michigan Stadium.
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio received a Gatorade bath, Spartans fans echoed alternating chants of “Go Green, Go White” and proud Spartans banged on the once-hallowed walls of Michigan Stadium following the program’s first win over the Wolverines since 2001.
Dantonio, who often quotes former MSU head coach George Perles’ one-game-at-a-time mantra of “they all count one,” admitted after the game that “this one counts more than just one.”
“It’s big for this program,” said Dantonio, who is now 1-1 as MSU’s head coach against U-M (2-6, 1-3). “When we first came here as a staff, we pointed to this football game as a rivalry game. I have always believed that.”
In what seemed to be an all-too-familiar scene given recent letdowns against U-M, the Spartans entered the fourth quarter tied 21-21 with momentum on the side of the underdog Wolverines.
Two turnovers in U-M territory and three missed field goals left the door open for a Wolverines victory, but the Spartans intercepted two passes, forced a punt and turned over the Wolverines on downs to shut them out in the fourth quarter.
MSU used a balanced attack to drive 82 yards for a 3-yard go-ahead touchdown by Ringer midway through the fourth quarter.
An interception of Michigan quarterback Steven Threet on U-M’s first play after the touchdown gave MSU the ball at the U-M 40-yard line.
Ringer took eight consecutive carries for 32 yards and three first downs before senior quarterback Brian Hoyer hit junior fullback Josh Rouse for a 7-yard touchdown pass on third-and-goal with three minutes remaining.
U-M drove to the MSU 28-yard line before turning the ball over on downs to end its comeback bid late in the fourth quarter.
Ringer finished with 194 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries — the senior’s most impressive performance on the biggest stage of his career.
“It’s always good to beat Michigan and to win here, something we haven’t done in so many years,” said Ringer, who also broke a 64-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. “Being able to go out our senior year with a victory over Michigan to, Lord willing, help a tradition of us beating those guys is great.”
Coaches were unsure whether Ringer would display the same explosiveness and durability that have become hallmarks of his All-America-caliber season after he went down with a hamstring injury during practice on Thursday.
Dantonio said prayers from those close to the program were answered as Ringer pounded out his sixth game of 30 carries or more this season.
Hoyer controlled the game from the pocket despite sometimes shaky protection, throwing for 282 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and one fumble. He connected with former walk-on wide receiver Blair White, a junior, four times for 143 and a 61-yard touchdown pass on the Spartans’ first series.
The touchdown was the first of White’s career.
“(Offensive coordinator Don) Treadwell told us before the game, ‘We need to make a change in this rivalry. We need to make a change in this state,’” Hoyer said. “I think the state is probably more green today than it was yesterday.”
U-M freshman quarterback Steven Threet went 13-of-27 for 168 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions while junior running back Brandon Minor finished with 55 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. Threet was constantly pressured by MSU’s defensive ends, particularly junior Trevor Anderson, whose three sacks allowed MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi to call only a few blitzes.
“It’s stuff that we prepared for all week,” said Threet, who had thrown three picks entering Saturday’s game. “They played hard and you have to give them credit. In the second half, we just kept battling but it still goes back to too many mistakes.”
MSU continues conference play next Saturday with a noon home game against Wisconsin.
Originally Published: 10/25/08 7:04pm
woohoo
10/25/08 7:11pmGO STATE I’M SO PROUD OF YOU! i’m so happy i feel like crying . . . i am so proud to be a student at MSU — we are the SPARTANS! who’s your big brother now?
Ryan
10/25/08 7:13pmLittle brother THAT! Go Green!
GO STATE!
10/25/08 7:21pmlooks like little brother just kicked douche bag’s ass!!!!!!!!!!
SoCal Spartan
10/25/08 7:21pmI’m happy that IDIOT said there was NO WAY they’d lose to State. So what happened, reality struck and the Spartan’s stand tall!
Most pathetic season in a LONG time for U of M.
Thank you Spartan defense, offense, and coaching for breaking the trend! Let’s keep stomping those guys!
Also, we WON by 21 not 14. I hope those officials get GRILLED about that BS TD call!
Spartalum
10/25/08 7:36pm35-14 is a convincing win. I am really proud of the way the team handled the second half given the scoreboard errors and played four tough quarters. It was soooo sweet to see Hoyer take a knee in Ann Arbor. Coach Dantonio may just be the one. I hope so.
Congratulations to the players & coaches, especially the seniors. Enjoy your victory!
Thomas
10/25/08 11:07pmThe good thing about being a little brother, is that someday, the little brother beats up the older brother, over and over again. :)
Good job Spartans. May you beat the older brother forever and ever.
goblue
10/25/08 11:42pmstate still sucks, enjoy being the little brother forever
Spartan4Life
10/26/08 12:23amhey goblue, it’s funny that you’re so pathetic you have to come here and talk shit as you’re team just got it’s ass beat. Have some fucking respect and stay away. Oh wait, you’re a pompous asshole you thinks you’re better than the world. Congrats on the 2-6 record.
Perseid
10/26/08 12:29amHahaha…goblue…this is coming from someone who’s team lost to Appalachian State last year and Toledo this year. Guess what? CMU beat Toledo. Hmm, what does that say? (No offense to CMU fans)
Spartan Victory!
10/26/08 1:28amAnyone else notice the trivia question on the Michigan scoreboard that asked “Who was the last Mid-American Conference team Michigan Lost to?” Of the four choices, one was “Toledo” and the other was “Michigan has never lost to an MAC school,” and the latter was given as the correct answer. Guess they forgot about the game two weeks ago eh?
goblue
10/26/08 1:30amYou can all just shut up! As soon as I get my GED from Washtenaw Comm college, I’m goin to Michigan. and then youll all see who a little brother is.
goblue
10/26/08 1:33amNo I don’t mean I’m the little brother. I mean after WCC i’ll go to U of M and not be. you’ll be, you know. That’s why I’m a Michigan Fan because I’m going there in like two years. Or transfer from Eastern. Whatever Go blur
Sal
10/26/08 2:48amOk, gb. Enjoy Dearborn.
goblue
10/26/08 8:49amOkay Spartans you got us this year, well at least there’s Basketball, wait, you always beats us in that, well theres hockey, that won’t work either, Well, the girls at Michigan are……. Damn it.
GO STATE, you win…..
weshallsee
10/26/08 11:34amheh. go ahead and gloat. the fact that this is your first win against michigan since 2001, and your first win on U of M turf since 1990, speaks for itself. we’ll see what happens next year. muahahaha!
LOL goblue
10/26/08 11:44amgoblue you represent the optimity of a WALMART UM FAN.
youll never go to UM but you will claim they are the best till you die of stupidity.
Kurt
10/26/08 11:58amCan’t tell you how happy i am that we beat those whiney ann arbor people. Everyone is always so full of themselves down there. The programs crashing and Rich Rodriguez is going to be the one to flush it down the toilet, and by the way good luck against OSU i hope they beat you by 60. Quit coming here to go to the bars because its more fun, and get some good looking woman your part of playboy was a joke
salty
10/26/08 12:24pmdid anyone start a ‘just like basketball’ chant at the game? i think it was deserved…
Spartyon
10/26/08 12:26pmCAN’T STOP WON’T STOP!!!!!
Way to be MSU, way to be!!!
The epitome of this season, and this team, and MD himself, was on 4th and 1, at the end of the 4th quarter, when he called his team over and told them: Dig deep now boys, we are going for this, and we are going to get it…..AND THEY DID!!!!
MSU teams of the past would have “settled” for a field goal…not this one….they left it all out on the field.
Talent is great(not that we don’t have any-WE DO) but its the heart and soul of a person, of a team, that can carry you to heights you never imagined.
Now lets beat the other rodents of the big 11 next week to improve to 8-2!
GO GREEN!
GO WHITE!!
GO STATE!!!
3rd&one
10/26/08 1:07pmOur Spartans beat ND and UofM in the same season in my life time? There is a football god after all. Enjoy your stay on the banks of the Red Cedar. Well played. Well coached. GO Green!
ny alum
10/26/08 1:18pmhow sweet it is.
3rd&one
10/26/08 1:26pmny alum, you said it all my friend. You said it all!
Cool Breeze
10/26/08 1:35pmwhat a graduation gift to be UofM at the big house while mike hart is in the audience watching. GOD IT FEELS GREAT TO BE A SPARTAN!!!!!!
Cool Breeze
10/26/08 1:36pmbeat*…sorry for the typo lol lol
Sam
10/26/08 2:02pmGo Green-loved it. How about the phantom T.D. Gotta get better homers MICHIGAN.. Where is that guarantee guy ??? A case of engaging mouth before brain in gear-loved the bulletin board material. Go State !!!
Murphy
10/26/08 2:07pmSPARTY ON!!!!
Joel V.
10/26/08 3:36pmGo GREEN!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to all the coaches and players!
MSU Alumni
10/26/08 9:51pmUmmm….goblue…I hate to break it to you but U of M hockey didn’t fair much better this weekend. #5 Michigan lost to #6 BU. In fact they didn’t just lose they got spanked. 7 to 2. That’s pretty damn pathetic.
sdp00
10/26/08 11:18pm2 BIG TEN 2 Penn State 12 Ohio State 18 Minnesota 19 Michigan State 25 Iowa 34 Northwestern 49 Illinois 53 Wisconsin 72 Purdue 82 Indiana 92 Michigan