Wolverines find spark against No. 11 Spartans
EAST LANSING, Mich. – It didn’t matter that Michigan State had the better record, the national ranking, the more potent offense.
The end result remained the same. Michigan was the better team.
Michigan beat Michigan State for the fourth consecutive year and recorded a second consecutive overtime victory over the Spartans. Michigan kicker Garrett Rivas booted a 35-yard field goal in overtime to give the Wolverines a 34-31 win at Spartan Stadium. The outcome left both teams with 1-1 records in the Big Ten Conference.
It was tailback Mike Hart, however, who provided that extra something the Wolverines were lacking in their previous two losses. Hart, who missed two full games and much of the Notre Dame loss with a hamstring injury, rushed for 218 yards on 36 carries to power Michigan’s offense.
“I’m very proud of our football team,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said, choking up. “We’ve been the most unlucky football team I’ve ever been around from an injury standpoint, and I think our coaches did a great job. The leaders have done a great job keeping this football team together.
“They came in today in a tough arena and they played their hearts out. For that, I’ll never forget this day.”
The win came at a crucial time for the Wolverines (3-2), who faced questions about their heart, desire and talent both playing and coaching after losing to Wisconsin 23-20 last week and falling to Notre Dame 17-10.
As for Michigan State, the No. 11 Spartans (4-1) suffered their first loss of the season and once again faced the dejection of losing to their hated in-state rivals.
“It hurts,” said MSU coach John L. Smith. “It hurts real bad and it should hurt. I hope the players feel it and I hope they don’t forget the feeling.”
Smith specifically criticized one part of the Spartans’ game: “The kicking stunk,” he said.
Spartans kicker John Goss missed two of his three field-goal attempts – one a 23-yarder early in the fourth quarter that nullified an 8-minute, 38-second drive.
The second miss was more costly. The Spartans had the first possession in overtime, and after failing to convert on third down, MSU turned to Goss for a 37-yard field goal.
It sailed wide right.
“I have no excuse for how I did today,” Goss said. “I feel bad for letting my teammates down.”
Rivas also missed an earlier field goal a 27-yard attempt with 48 seconds left in the game that could have given Michigan a regulation win. But he succeeded on his second-chance opportunity.
“After I missed, all I wanted was to get another chance, another shot,” Rivas said. “Luckily, in overtime things went our way and we were able to get another shot. It went through. I did something differently.”
Michigan has a 4-0 program record in overtime.
“We own overtime,” said defensive end LaMarr Woodley. “We get to overtime and we win.”