Michigan State stunned rivals Michigan 15-6 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, 7 November, with kicker Liam Boyd scoring every one of the Spartans' points in a famous upset win.

Boyd was perfect from five field-goal attempts, including a long of 49 yards, as Michigan State won without scoring a touchdown for the first time since a 2-0 win over Kentucky on 7 October 1944. The victory gave the Spartans the Paul Bunyan Trophy for the first time since 2021 and ended a six-game losing streak.

Boyd's boot settles a defensive battle

The game was a defensive struggle from the start. Michigan State led 6-0 at half-time thanks to two Boyd field goals, with the two sides combining for just 216 yards of offence in the first half.

The Spartans then put together a 17-play, 78-yard drive in the third quarter that took more than ten minutes off the clock and ended with Boyd's third field goal of the night. Two more kicks in the fourth quarter took the score to 15-0 and put the game beyond Michigan's reach.

Michigan finally scored with 1 minute 35 seconds left, when Savion Hiter ran in from one yard out, but the two-point conversion attempt failed and the Spartans saw out the closing moments to complete the upset.

A defence that would not break

While Boyd took the headlines, Michigan State's defence was just as important. The Spartans forced four turnovers, recorded five sacks and held Michigan to 192 total yards, while controlling possession for more than 38 minutes.

Michigan State outgained the Wolverines 298-192 and held a 110-54 advantage in rushing yards. It was the first win of the season in the Big Ten for the Spartans, who had lost their first five conference games, and their first victory since beating Eastern Michigan in September.

The result was also a landmark for first-year head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was facing Michigan for the first time as Spartans coach. Michigan were led by their own first-year coach, Kyle Whittingham, in the 119th meeting between the two rivals.

What comes next

Michigan State improved to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in Big Ten play, keeping their slim hopes of bowl eligibility alive. They return home to host Washington on Saturday, 14 November, at Spartan Stadium.

Michigan dropped to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten. A season that began with high hopes has now taken a painful turn, with defeat to their biggest rivals at home sure to sting in Ann Arbor. Michigan State University reported the Spartans' trophy win, and the Detroit Free Press covered the 15-6 upset.