Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from Wolverines domination of MSU

In another bitter rivalry showdown, Michigan football flexed its proverbial muscle by crushing the Spartans to retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

For the second consecutive season, Michigan football put down Michigan State in a thorough beatdown. It was a masterful performance by all three facets of the roster. The offense clicked all day, while the defense was dominant as usual, and the special teams added a few thrills too. The coaching staff had their men well prepared for anything Michigan State threw at them.

The Spartans managed more yards and points on offense than a year ago. Brian Lewerke was flustered with the heavy pass rush and could never get comfortable.

He got sacked three times and threw two interceptions to LaVert Hill and Ambry Thomas. Not to mention they rushed it 30 times for just 54 yards and were 2-13 on third downs. That’s a recipe for disaster against Michigan’s defense.

It turned out to be the most one-sided affair since 2002. Michigan football imposed its will on both lines of scrimmage. Shea Patterson was kept clean and he, in turn, delivered his best performance playing a rival. He was able to get a handful of receivers involved. Nine different guys caught at least one pass from Patterson, while four of them found the endzone.

Jim Harbaugh finally picks up his first home win over MSU. He made a statement to the Spartans as well. By leaving his starters in Harbaugh let out some penned up frustration over what has happened to his alma mater in the last decade of this rivalry. It will be remembered in this in-state battle for a long time to come.