Michigan State University
Michigan
Spartans Drop Fourth Straight
11/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov 2, 2002
By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - John Navarre threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score as No. 15 Michigan beat Michigan State 49-3 Saturday, the Wolverines' biggest win over their in-state rival since 1947.
The Wolverines (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) bounced back from their worst loss at home in 35 years, a 25-point setback to Iowa.
The Spartans (3-6, 1-4) have lost four straight by an average of 28.5 points.
Last year, Michigan State beat Michigan 26-24 as time expired in a game that featured a timekeeping dispute.
There was no controversy Saturday - just a rout.
Michigan scored 21 straight points to take control early in the second quarter and added four TDs in the second half.
Navarre was 16-of-27 for 229 yards and no interceptions, and accounted for four TDs. B.J. Askew scored two touchdowns and set career-highs with 149 yards rushing on 32 carries. Ronald Bellamy caught five passes for a career-high 124 yards and two TDs.
Damon Dowdell, making his second start in place of suspended quarterback Jeff Smoker, was 15-of-34 for 178 yards. Charles Rogers caught four passes for 75 yards.
Things went well in the first few minutes for Michigan State.
The Spartans forced Michigan to go three-and-out on its first possession, then Dave Rayner made a 39-yard field goal.
The Wolverines seized control with three straight touchdowns.
Navarre converted two third downs with passes in an 11-play drive that was capped by Askew's 2-yard scoring run on a fourth down.
Navarre scored on a 1-yard plunge late in the first quarter and found Bellamy with a 38-yard TD pass in the second to give the Wolverines a 21-3 lead.
In the third quarter, Navarre threw a 12-yard TD pass to Bennie Joppru and a 47-yard scoring pass to Bellamy. Askew's 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter put Michigan ahead 42-3.
Michigan State drove the ball deep into Michigan territory twice in the fourth quarter, but failed to convert on fourth down.
Tim Bracken's 5-yard TD run with 1:03 completed the scoring and gave Michigan its most lopsided win over the Spartans since a 55-0 victory in 1947.
Michigan cornerback Marlin Jackson deflected his 15th pass of the season, tying Charles Woodson's school record.
