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Michigan Football: Key plays in Wolverines win over Michigan State

By Andrew Brion

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: Mike Morris #90 and other players of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate with the Paul Bunyan trophy after winning a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 29-7 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: Mike Morris #90 and other players of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate with the Paul Bunyan trophy after winning a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 29-7 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
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On Saturday Michigan football finally took down Mel Tucker and the Spartans, after two consecutive L’s in 2020 and 2021. The Wolverines were slow to start as they only had a 6-point lead at the half. Yet, they had several plays that defined their momentum and the win on Saturday.

Here is a look back at five key plays in the Michigan football win over Michigan State. 

#5  Makari Paige’s 4th down stop early in the 1st Quarter

Early in the 1st Quarter Mel Tucker and the Spartans were faced with a 4th and 1 in their own territory and elected to go for it. At first glance, the referees marked the ball slightly passed the marker. Upon a closer look, the defensive line of Michigan football got a hold on senior RB Elijah Collins, until Makari Paige comes into shoulder first, stopping Collins just short of the line to gain.

#4 Blake Corum’s jet sweep TD

The Wolverines haven’t been outstanding in the red zone this season, as they kick several field goals from 25-30 yards in what seems like every game. Corum was able to punch in a jet sweep from the 2-yard line to give Michigan a 10-7 lead. The Wolverines never trailed again after that.

#3 Michael Barrett’s 4th down stop in the 2nd Quarter

After Corum’s TD, the Spartans were driving on the Wolverines, and had the ball deep in the red zone, at the Michigan 5. Tucker elected to go for it, and it was Michael Barrett first who got to RB Jalen Berger three yards behind the line to gain as the Wolverines made another 4th down stop.

#2 JJ McCarthy’s 4th down conversion

While McCarthy has yet to be the game-changer we all hoped he would be, he is showing flashes and looks more and more comfortable in every Big Ten game he starts. Even as heavy favorites, Michigan only led 10-7 late in the first half against the Spartans. After coming up short on a 3rd down, Jim Harbaugh was faced with a 4th and 3 from the Spartan 38-yard line and went for it. McCarthy had no receivers open, so he tucked it and ran himself for a huge Michigan football first down and later extended the lead with another Moody field goal.

#1 Jake Moody and his field goals

Michigan again struggled to get touchdowns, stalling a lot deep in the red zone, and once again relied on Moody’s leg. Moody went 5/5 on field goals, with a career long of 54 yards. He also went 2/2 on PATs.

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