Oct 8, 2006, 0:15 GMT
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.
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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