Highlights, gut reactions as Michigan Football beats Michigan State

Michigan football didn’t play perfectly on Saturday night but the Wolverines did enough to beat Michigan State and bring home The Paul Bunyan Trophy. 

In some ways, it feels like Michigan football wanted to win the game against Michigan State by more, but at the same time, it was a dominant win as the Wolverines ended the reign of terror.

There were too many field goals and the game really wasn’t put away completely until the Spartans had their own trouble with the snap, but it doesn’t matter.

Michigan football did what it needed to do (won the game by 22 points). J.J. McCarthy wasn’t perfect but he did “throw” a touchdown pass to Blake Corum and completed some key passes and runs for third downs.

The defense also made two big fourth-down stops, including one in the red zone in the second quarter to help keep a 10-7 lead intact.

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The offensive line really won the game along with Jake Moody who was clutch, oh and the defense dominated the second half, pitching a shutout.

Payton Thorne and his wide receivers had some moments but Michigan football won in the trenches and that was the biggest difference. The secondary was also special in the second half too and ended the game for all intents and purposes with Rod Moore’s interception.

When Corum found the end zone to make it 29-7 in the fourth quarter, you knew it was all over. It was also great to see Michigan respond with a touchdown after falling behind 7-3 and despite the red-zone struggles, the offense was moving the ball up and down the field.

I even loved the deep shots to try and get a last touchdown. It is Michigan State after all. There is no margin wide enough for little brother, especially after the last two games.

At any rate, we BEAT STATE, and here are the gut reactions.

Gut Reactions from Michigan football win over Michigan State

• Michigan State wasn’t going to get lucky tonight. They got dominated up front.
• This 22-point margin was much closer than the game.
• That’s a good thing but Michigan needs the scoreboard to reflect its dominance.
• J.J. McCarthy needs to improve for that to happen.
• The QB was solid. He was poised but all the field goals in the past two weeks are partially his fault. Great QBs score touchdowns in the red zone.
• That being said, the coaching staff needs to be more aggressive or coach him to be more aggressive. At least in certain spots and please, more deep shots.
• It’s insane that Michigan has punted once in two weeks.
• Tucker is reminding me of Brady Hoke with his ridiculous chopping.
• Blake Corum should be going to New York. He’s the best running back in the country.
• Michigan has the best offensive line in the country. The third-and-short runs were impressive and were a huge part of winning the game.
• Mike Morris is doing special things. So is Jesse minter.
• This was a big step towards making the final game for the Big Ten East title.
• Yet, we all know the red zone offense needs work.
• Good to see the defense get a turnover.
• The pass rush isn’t an issue. Neither is the run defense.
• PAUL IS COMING HOME!!
• GO BLUE!