Minneapolis — In the days following Michigan State’s win over Michigan last week, Spartans coach Mark Dantonio emphasized that his team was going to be judged by how it followed that win up.
The Spartans had done well at that under Dantonio, winning eight of 10 games the week after playing their rivals, and had a chance to improve on that Saturday night against Minnesota. And improve on it is just what No. 21 Michigan State did, jumping on Minnesota early, then withstanding a late rally to knock off the Gophers, 30-27, at TCF Bank Stadium.