MSU outlasts Michigan on rainy rivalry night at the Big House

Michigan and Michigan State football met for the 110th time in their storied rivalry, but this weekend marked the first time the two teams ever played under the lights in a night game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

After the Spartans opened a 14-3 lead in the first half, the Wolverines closed the gap in the third quarter. However, heavy rain showers lasting much of the second half made scoring difficult.

Michigan pulled within 14-10, but committed five turnovers in the game. Still, the Wolverines had the ball with a chance for a game-winning drive. The Spartans would hold on, batting down the final throw at the goal line to win 14-10.

 “This game had it all," said Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio after the game. "It had the weather. It had a lot of defense.

The loss marked the eighth Michigan State win in the past 10 games against Michigan. The Spartans also handed the Wolverines their first loss of the 2017 season and their first loss ever in four night games at the Big House.

Dantonio said that this game ranked "right up there" in terms of pride in his team, which knocked off the No. 7 team in the country on Saturday.

"I told our football team, every player that comes here, to dream big. I’m no different than that. I’m going to dream big. We’ve been to the playoffs, we’ve won three Big Ten championships and we’ve beaten our rival. We’ve fallen down in other areas, but we’ll always try to rise up.”

Michigan State improved to 4-1 on the season, with its only loss coming to Notre Dame in September. The Spartans travel to Minnesota next weekend.

For the Michigan Wolverines, the loss dropped their record to 4-1, and they will look to bounce back on the road against Indiana.