Ann Arbor, MI - Chad Henne threw three touchdowns to help the
sixth-ranked Michigan Wolverines to a 31-13 victory over the Michigan State
Spartans.
Henne went 11-for-17 with 140 yards and Mario Manningham had three catches for
75 yards and two touchdowns for the Wolverines (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten), who have
won eight straight games against Michigan State in Ann Arbor.
Mike Hart added 22 carries for 122 yards for Michigan, which travels to Penn
State for another conference matchup next Saturday.
'When you start the season, it's always one of the games that you point to
because it means so much to everyone associated with both schools,' said
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. 'I will say this, it was an unbelievable effort on
both sides of the ball. Our special teams did a great job. I think it was a
total team victory.'
Drew Stanton went 20-for-35 with 252 yards and two interceptions and Jehuu
Caulcrick and Drew Stanton each had a rushing touchdown for the Spartans (3-3,
0-2), who have dropped their last three games after starting the season with
three straight wins.
'We would have had to play a lot better than we did to win the game,' said
Spartans head coach John Smith. 'I'm proud of our guys. We tried to formulate
a few different things to have them look at.'
The Wolverines got the ball on their own 40 and scored on their first
drive of the game. The 10-play, 60-yard drive was capped off when Henne and
Adrian Arrington connected on a 13-yard touchdown reception for a 7-0 lead
less than six minutes into the game.
That was the score at the end of the first quarter, but Michigan extended its
lead with its first possession of the second quarter. On the third play of the
drive, Henne found Manningham for a 41-yard touchdown reception to make it
14-0 less than two minutes in.
Michigan State had an opportunity to put some points on the board as Brett
Swenson lined up for a 33-yard field goal attempt, but missed the field
goal and Michigan got the ball back at its 20.
The Wolverines took the ball downfield in 12 plays, but the drive stalled and
they had to settle for a Garrett Rivas 24-yard field goal to take a 17-0 lead
into the locker room.
Michigan continued to build on its lead as, on the first drive of the second
half, Henne and Manningham connected on a 27-yard touchdown reception for a
24-0 lead less than four minutes in.
The Spartans responded on their ensuing drive to put their first points on the
board. Caulcrick capped off a 12-play, 71-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown
run to make it a 24-7 game with 3:47 left in the third quarter.
The Wolverines responded on their next possession as, on the sixth play of the
drive, Brandon Minor took the ball down the right sideline 40 yards into the
end zone for a 31-7 lead with 55 seconds left in the third.
Stanton's two-yard touchdown run with 7:04 to play accounted for the final
score of the game. Stanton tried to run the ball in for the two-point
conversion, but was stopped.
Game Notes
Michigan owns a 66-28-5 edge in the all-time series with Michigan
State.
Michigan State was held to 60 yards rushing while Michigan amassed 211
yards on the ground.
Kevin Grady had 12 carries for 51 yards for the
Wolverines.
Michigan has won five straight and 12 of the last 16 against
Michigan State.
In the past 37 games between these two schools, the team with
more rushing yards has won 35 games.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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