Post-Game Notes
10/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 3, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery 1 
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-Michigan State's 26-20 victory over Michigan marks MSU's first back-to-back wins in the series since the Spartans won three straight from 1965-67...MSU defeated Michigan last season in Ann Arbor, 35-21...it also marks MSU's first win over Michigan at Spartan Stadium since 2001.
-The series has had three overtime games in the last six years...this is the first overtime victory for MSU against Michigan...the Wolverines won in overtime in 2005 and triple overtime in 2004...it also snap's MSU's three-game losing streak in overtime games (first OT win since 2005 Notre Dame).
-Michigan State out-rushed Michigan, 197 yards to 28, marking the 38th time in the last 42 games in this series that the team with the most rushing yards has won.
-Larry Caper tied his season high with two rushing TDs; his 23-yard TD run in overtime on third-and-8 won the game for MSU...he also scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter.
-Glenn Winston, in his first career start, had a career-high 24 carries for 47 yards...he scored his first career TD with a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter that gave MSU a 20-6 lead.
-Brett Swenson kicked two field goals (26 and 24 yards), giving him 60 for his career, which moves him into 10th all-time in Big Ten history...Swenson also ranks ninth in the Big Ten record books in kick scoring with 316 career points.
-The Spartans won the time of possession battle, holding the ball 39:46 compared to 20:14 for Michigan. MSU went on a 17-play, 80-yard touchdown drive spanning 10:02 in the first quarter, capped by a 1-yard run by Caper. The Spartans actually produce 130 yards of total offense on that scoring drive.
-The Spartans amassed 417 yards of total offense, marking the fourth time this season MSU has collected more than 400 total yards ...MSU entered the game leading the Big Ten in total offense.
-Michigan State's win over No. 22 Michigan marks MSU's first win over a ranked opponent in the Associated Press Top 25 since defeating Notre Dame in 2005, also in overtime, 44-41, on Jason Teague's 19-yard run around right end...the Spartans had lost 12 straight games against teams ranked in the AP Top 25...overall, the Spartans have beaten three ranked opponents under Coach Mark Dantonio (Penn State, 2007, No. 22 in USA Today/Coaches Poll; Northwestern, 2008, No. 22 in USA Today/Coaches Poll).
-The Spartan defense set season highs in tackles for loss (10 for 55 yards) and sacks (3 for 33 yards)...MSU also recorded three sacks each vs. Montana State and Central Michigan.
-Kirk Cousins led the team in rushing with a career-high 75 yards on the ground...he finished the game with 227 yards of total offense as he also threw for 152 yards on 15-of-21 passing.
-Eric Gordon tied for the team lead with eight tackles, including a 14-yard sack, and also forced a fumble...he finished with 1.5 tackles for loss for 15 yards.
