Michigan State University
Michigan
Spartans Blanked By No. 16 Wolverines
10/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 21, 2000
By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Stars make headlines while little-known players win games at Michigan.
It's always been that way with the winningest team in Division I-A football and it was especially true when the No. 16 Wolverines beat Michigan State 14-0 on Saturday.
The Spartans (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten) have not beaten Michigan (6-2, 4-1) in back-to-back years since they won three straight from 1965-67.
Michigan's Anthony Thomas ran for 175 yards and two touchdowns, but a play made by Victor Hobson, Larry Foote and Eric Wilson was what really won the game.
Michigan State was threatening to tie the game at 7 midway through the second quarter when T.J. Duckett fumbled the ball at Michigan's 8.
Hobson stripped the ball, Foote dove to keep it inbounds and Wilson pounced on the football.
"That epitomizes what we're all about," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "At least three guys made unbelievable efforts on that play and I think it was the turning point of the game."
Michigan took advantage of Duckett's turnover by going 92 yards on five plays, capped by Thomas' spectacular 30-yard run. Thomas eluded a Spartan near the left sideline, broke another tackle and after a spin move then dragged two defenders into the end zone.
Michigan State coach Bobby Williams, who was visibly upset, believes Duckett scored two plays before his fumble and that Michigan should not have been given the ball when he did.
"They didn't seem to have control of it," Williams said.
The first-year head coach decided Duckett was too banged-up, with a hip pointer and sore shoulder, to play after his fumbled. He had gained 70 yards on 17 carries.
Duckett disagreed with the decision.
"I wanted to play," Duckett said. "I probably didn't fight it enough."
Michigan gave up 355 yards, but shut out an opponent for the second straight week after losing at Purdue. Michigan and the Boilermakers are tied for first place in the conference.
The Spartans had their chances.
They drove to Michigan's 2, 28, 9 and 30 in the second half, but couldn't score.
"The plays are there to make, but we're not making them," said Lavaile Richardson, who made seven receptions for 78 yards. "It's very frustrating."
Michigan's Drew Henson was 17-of-31 for 138 yards. David Terrell caught seven of those passes for 78 yards.
Michigan State's Ryan Van Dyke completed 26 of 37 passes for 292 yards and threw one interception in the final minute.
On the opening drive, Thomas capped a 12-play, 80-yard possession with a 1-yard touchdown. It marked Thomas' 48th career rushing touchdown, which broke Tyrone Wheatley's school record.
The Spartans had to be pleased to be trailing by just seven at halftime.
Thomas had rushed for 97 yards, Henson completed over 50 percent of his passes for 103 yards and Terrell had four catches for 43 yards.
Michigan downed two punts at the Spartans' 1 in the second quarter, but couldn't capitalize on the field advantage.
The Wolverines missed two field goals in the first 30 minutes and Michigan State missed one.
The Spartans wasted an opportunity to score in the third quarter when they recovered Ron Bellamy's fumble at Michigan's 28. A personal foul prevented them from even attempting a field goal.
Michigan also foiled Michigan State's next chance to score. The Spartans drove 70 yards, but couldn't convert on a fourth-and-2 from the Wolverines' 9.
"In this day and age, it's an outstanding achievement to have back-to-back shutouts," Carr said.
