Wolverine Digest

WATCH: Remembering Key Plays, Players In Recent Michigan-MSU Games

In honor of the 2023 game between Michigan and Michigan State, here are some of the best plays and players the Wolverines have had in recent years.
Trent Knoop|
WATCH: Remembering Key Plays, Players In Recent Michigan-MSU Games
WATCH: Remembering Key Plays, Players In Recent Michigan-MSU Games

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Michigan Wolverines

Michigan and Michigan State will play for the 116th time on Saturday. The Wolverines won a season ago and Michigan leads the all-time series, 72-38-5. 

In honor of the rivalry game, here are some Twitter videos, stats, and an overview of some important, recent, games in Michigan football history. Most of them are Michigan victories, but there are also a couple of losses that will make Michigan fans' hearts sink

1997:

As we all know, Michigan went on to win the national championship in '97. The Wolverines defeated Michigan State, 23-7 that year. The Michigan defense forced Spartans' quarterback Todd Schultz to throw five interceptions on the day. 

Heisman Trophy winner, Charles Woodson, had two interceptions that day including a tremendous one-handed grab. 

2003:

The Wolverines took down the Spartans in 2003, 27-20. QB John Navarre threw three touchdowns -- two of which to Braylon Edwards -- in the game, but running back Chris Perry was a workhorse in the game and carried Michigan to victory. 

Perry had 51 carries for 219 yards and a score in the win. 

2004:

Chris Perry stole the show in 2003, but 2004 belonged to legendary WR Braylon Edwards. It was a back-and-forth game between the two rivals before freshman Chad Henne hit Edwards for a touchdown to send the game into overtime. 

The Wolverines won in triple overtime, 45-37. Edwards had 11 catches for 189 yards and three touchdowns. 

2007:

Michigan defeated the Spartans 28-24 back in 2007. Chad Henne threw for 211 yards and four touchdowns against MSU. Mario Manningham was Henne's go-to guy in the game catching eight passes for 129 yards and two scores. 

2016:

The Michigan jack-of-all-trades Jabrill Peppers was a force against the Spartans. Peppers helped lead Michigan to a 32-23 victory in East Lansing over MSU. He scored once on the ground, had seven tackles, and sealed the win for Michigan. 

2001:

Can't talk about Michigan-Michigan State without mentioning the 'clockgate'. Back in 2001, the Spartans beat Michigan over a very controversial call. 

As Michigan was up 24-20 with six seconds left, QB Jeff Smoker got up to spike the ball and as time should've expired, the play clock somehow was at 1 second. On the next play, Smoker found TJ Duckett for the game-winning score. 

MSU won the game 26-24, and somewhere 'Spartan Bob' was smiling. 

2015:

Lastly, the famous 'trouble with the snap' game. 

During Jim Harbaugh's first season with Michigan, the Wolverines looked to have had Michigan State done for rights. Michigan was leading 23-21 with 10 seconds to play. All the Wolverines had to do was punt the ball. 

Well... we all know what happened next. 

Michigan and Michigan State will play on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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