On Saturday, Michigan State defeated Michigan by a final score of 37-33 to keep the Paul Bunyan Trophy in East Lansing. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines for the second consecutive year, and for the 10th time in the last 14 meetings. It was also a win over the No. 6-ranked team in the country, and improved MSU’s record to 8-0 overall, and 5-0 in Big Ten Conference play, to begin the 2021 campaign.
Following the victory, Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker — who became the first MSU head coach in program history to win his first two games against Michigan — was extremely proud of his team, as the Spartans fought through adversity and a 16-point deficit in the second half to eventually win the game.