I’ve been smiling all week. I still can’t quite believe Michigan State went into Ann Arbor and beat michigan. What a feeling. After everything we’ve endured this season, this one feels especially sweet. It’s amazing how sports can make you feel so miserable after a loss, only to turn around and deliver this kind of absolute jubilation. For as bad as I’ve felt watching this team at times, beating that team in their own stadium feels so damn good. God, I love sports.
For much of this season, Michigan
State has been a team searching for consistency. We’ve spent plenty of time in the Film Room examining missed assignments, costly penalties and opportunities that slipped away. There have been flashes of what this team could become, but rarely have the Spartans put together a complete performance. Against michigan, we finally got to see what happens when those pieces come together. And what better place to do it than the Big House?
Michigan State’s 15-6 victory wasn’t necessarily pretty, particularly on offense, but the scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story. The Spartans played physical football, controlled possession and showed a level of composure that has too often been missing this season. Meanwhile, michigan appears to have discovered a new rock bottom, somewhere beneath the Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez years. The cherry on top? It was Michigan State that helped bring about its downfall, perhaps delivering the final nail in the coffin for the offensive coordinator and maybe even Sleepy Whitt himself. Personally, I’d welcome Whittingham sticking around. This looks like a michigan team the Spartans could enjoy beating year after year.
I asked Robbie this on the Red Cedar Rundown podcast, and I’ll ask it here as well. If Michigan State got to play michigan every week in the Big Ten, wouldn’t the Spartans be in the College Football Playoff conversation by now? Who knew michigan would turn out to be the antidote to all our problems?
There were plenty of individual performances worth highlighting, but three things stood out during my review of the film: an exhausting third-quarter drive, the toughness of Brandon Tullis and a defensive front that made life miserable for michigan quarterback Tommy Carr.
This week’s Film Room is a little longer than usual, but after watching Michigan State dismantle michigan in Ann Arbor, there was simply too much good football to leave on the cutting room floor.
Let’s head into the Film Room.
The Drive That Broke michigan
Sometimes the most important possession of a football game doesn’t end with a touchdown. Michigan State’s third-quarter drive was a perfect example. After forcing michigan to punt on its opening possession of the second half, the Spartans found themselves backed up at their own 1-yard line. What followed was a 17-play, 79-yard drive that consumed 10 minutes, 41 seconds and ended with a field goal by Liam Boyd (No. 37).
It wasn’t a highlight reel of explosive plays. Instead, it was a collection of tough runs, timely completions and crucial third-down conversions. Brandon Tullis (No. 7) and Kenneth Williams (No. 32) provided the physical running presence, while Alessio Milivojevic (No. 11) made the throws necessary to keep the chains moving. No single play defined the drive. It was Michigan State’s ability to consistently move the chains that made it so impressive.
One of the biggest plays came on 3rd-and-6, when Williams took a draw up the middle, made a sharp jump cut and broke into the open field for a crucial conversion. Tullis followed with another physical run, fighting through multiple defenders for additional yardage. Later in the drive, a short pass to Samson Gash (No. 5) helped keep michigan’s defense guessing. The wolverines couldn’t get off the field, couldn’t generate momentum and could only watch as the Spartans continued draining the clock.
There is certainly room for criticism. Michigan State became conservative as the field shortened, and the drive ultimately produced only three points. I’d have liked to see offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan take advantage of michigan’s aggressive pursuit with a play-action pass near the red zone, perhaps looking for Fredrick Moore. Still, the Spartans showed the patience and execution necessary to sustain a possession, even when the defense knew what was coming.
It’s also worth considering what this drive could mean beyond Saturday’s victory. Years from now, we might look back at those 10 minutes, 41 seconds as one of the defining moments of the Pat Fitzgerald era at Michigan State. Perhaps it becomes the drive that changed the trajectory of the season, the possession where Milivojevic established himself as the quarterback capable of leading this program forward, or the moment a frustrated fan base and its donors began believing in the direction of Spartan football again.
That’s a lot of significance to place on a single possession, particularly one that ended in a field goal, but sometimes the moments that define a program aren’t obvious until years later.
Brandon Tullis Earns Every Yard
“My coaches kept encouraging me and kept telling me to keep staying on the same path that I was working on. And the opportunity came, and I provided.”
Those words from Brandon Tullis following Michigan State’s victory over michigan tell you a lot about the patience required to wait for an opportunity. Tullis began the season fifth on the running back depth chart and wasn’t even expected to start against michigan. When Kenneth Williams went down with an injury, Tullis answered the call despite having been injured himself during practice earlier in the week.
To put his performance into perspective, Tullis entered the game with just 11 carries for 53 yards across four appearances this season. Against michigan alone, he carried the football 25 times for 86 yards, averaging 3.4 yards per attempt, with a longest run of just 9 yards. Those aren’t numbers that normally jump off the page, but watch the film, and you’ll understand why Tullis earned our River Rat of the Week honors (grittiest player) on Monday’s Red Cedar Rundown podcast.
Tullis was the definition of a gritty football player against michigan. He doesn’t dilly-dally in the backfield. He gets the football, finds his opening and attacks it. Time after time, he took runs that appeared destined for little or no gain and turned them into positive yardage. He showed patience when necessary, but once he committed to a running lane, he wasn’t going to let the first defender bring him down. Sometimes it took three, four or even five wolverines to finish the job. Tullis wasn’t just running through michigan’s defense. He was taking half their defense along for the ride.
PLAY 1: Tullis Moves the Chains
Before the snap, take a look at Alessio Milivojevic’s (No. 11) eyes. He is absolutely locked in!
Facing a crucial 3rd-and-1 in the second quarter, Michigan State lines up in a heavy formation with an extra offensive lineman to the left and a tight end serving as a fullback. michigan knows what’s coming, stacking eight defenders near the line of scrimmage, and gets exactly the penetration it wants.
Brandon Tullis (No. 7) looks dead to rights for a two-yard loss, with defensive tackles Trey Pierce (No. 95) and Enow Etta (No. 17) getting their hands on him. Linebacker Nathaniel Staehling (No. 44) also has a chance to bring him down. But Tullis lowers his center of gravity, keeps those powerful legs churning and fights through four tackle attempts to somehow pick up the first down. His contact balance and lower-body strength are remarkable, especially with defenders trying to drag him backward.
My favorite part might be Pierce’s reaction afterward. Watch him angrily slap his hands together in frustration. He knows he had Tullis stopped in the backfield, but the running back simply refused to go down.
PLAY 2: Tullis Pile Driver
The next example might be my favorite because it captures what we’ve seen from Tullis throughout the game. Time and again, he’s forced to create his own yardage when the blocking gives him little to work with.
On 2nd-and-8, just before the two-minute mark, Michigan State lines up in a condensed formation while michigan crowds the line with five down linemen and two linebackers, expecting the run. The wolverines get excellent penetration, leaving Brandon Tullis (No. 7) with nowhere to go. But Tullis stays patient, lets the defense overrun the play and shrugs off contact near the hole before running right through Lugard Edokpayi Jr. (No. 88).
At one point, four michigan defenders have their hands on Tullis, but those legs just keep churning. The offensive line eventually comes to his rescue, pushing the pile forward. I thought the officials blew the whistle a little early because Tullis was still fighting for yardage. Once again, his lower-body strength and determination turn what could have been a loss into a manageable third down.
On the following snap, Alessio Milivojevic rolls to his right and finds Kenneth Williams for the first down. michigan adds to its frustration with a late-hit penalty, giving the Spartans even more yardage. What looked like another play going nowhere becomes a drive-extending sequence, all because Tullis refused to go down.
And don’t overlook the blocking by Michigan State’s wide receivers throughout this game. Outside of Chrishon McCray, the receivers didn’t necessarily light up the stat sheet, but they blocked their asses off all afternoon. They played with physicality and a mean streak against a respected michigan defense. That willingness to do the dirty work was another example of Michigan State being the tougher team on this day, and it’s something I hope carries over into the final three games.
PLAY 3: Bully Run Blocking
Finally, let’s return to that marathon third-quarter drive. Following Kenneth Williams’ impressive third-down conversion, Tullis takes a 1st-and-10 handoff near midfield and runs directly into the teeth of michigan’s defense. One defender makes contact, then another, but Tullis keeps driving forward as more wolverines join the tackle. It’s the kind of run that might only produce a handful of yards but takes considerably more effort to stop than the box score suggests. By this point, michigan’s defense had already spent much of the quarter on the field, and Tullis was making sure every additional snap came at a physical cost.
This might be my favorite example of Michigan State imposing its will up front. Center Trent Fraley (No. 63) pancakes his defender, right guard Nick Sharpe (No. 52) delivers an excellent block on michigan’s No. 91, and left tackle Rakeem Johnson (No. 55) takes care of No. 93. Left guard Connor Moore (No. 58) gets a great block on linebacker No. 4, while tight end Kai Rios (No. 88) comes across the formation and smashes into John-Henry Daley (No. 90), one of michigan’s best defenders.
For once, Brandon Tullis (No. 7) gets to attack downhill without having to fight off defenders in the backfield. But he still adds his own finishing touch, putting Rod Moore (No. 1) through the wash cycle with a beautiful spin move that leaves the defender grasping at air.
This play perfectly captures Michigan State’s dominance in the trenches and the physicality this team brought to Ann Arbor. The Spartans weren’t just holding their own against a respected michigan defense. They were taking the fight to the wolverines and winning the battle at the line of scrimmage.
It reminded me a little of Ricky White’s breakout performance against michigan in 2020. Not necessarily because of the statistics or style of play, but because an unexpected contributor stepped forward on the biggest stage. Tullis might not have been the most recognizable name entering this rivalry game, but he certainly made himself known.
And after watching him run through michigan’s defense for four quarters, I’m left with one question.
Where has this Brandon Tullis been all season?
Lafaele and the Defensive Front Take Over
Michigan State’s offense deserves credit for controlling the clock, but the defense was the biggest reason the Spartans left Ann Arbor with the Paul Bunyan Trophy. michigan struggled to establish anything resembling a consistent offensive attack, and much of that came from the Spartans’ ability to pressure quarterback Tommy Carr without sacrificing their defensive responsibilities. The defensive line was particularly impressive, using a combination of physicality, speed and well-executed stunts to keep michigan’s offensive line guessing throughout the afternoon.
One player who caught my attention was Anelu Lafaele (No. 11). Earlier in the season, he appeared to be more of a situational pass rusher, someone the Spartans could unleash off the edge in obvious passing situations. Against michigan, however, he showed improved awareness against the run while remaining a disruptive presence in the passing game. It’s been encouraging to watch him develop into a more complete defensive player.
PLAY 4: Lafaele Brings the Heat
I love the defensive call here by Joe Rossi and the incredible athleticism displayed by Lafaele (No. 11). Not many defensive linemen have the speed and agility to execute this kind of stunt. Lafaele initially attacks to his right, drawing the attention of michigan’s left tackle before quickly changing direction and sprinting back inside toward the middle of the offensive line. The ability to make that sharp change of direction while moving at full speed is impressive, and Lafaele finishes the play by getting to Tommy Carr for the sack.
Just as important is the work being done around him. Defensive tackles Mikeshun Beeler (No. 52) and Eli Coenen (No. 96) occupy multiple offensive linemen, creating the space Lafaele needs to attack the interior. Watch michigan left guard Nathan Efobi (No. 55) panic as Lafaele blows right past him. Efobi realizes too late where the pressure is coming from and desperately tries to recover, but Lafaele is already accelerating toward Carr.
Meanwhile, Kenny Soares Jr. (No. 1) is assigned to spy Carr, staying disciplined in the middle of the defensive front and ready to pursue the quarterback if he manages to escape the pressure.
It’s a beautifully designed and executed defensive stunt that showcases both Rossi’s creativity and the athleticism of his players. Rather than relying on one defender to beat his man, Michigan State uses coordinated movement and disciplined assignments to create pressure. Lafaele gets the sack, but this is a terrific example of all 11 defenders working together.
PLAY 5: Mr. Spartan Unleashed
The final example comes late in the fourth quarter, with michigan attempting a two-point conversion. Kenny Soares Jr., wearing that legendary No. 1 jersey, puts an exclamation point on Michigan State’s defensive performance with a sack of Tommy Carr (No. 14).
What makes this play even better is the unselfish work Soares had done throughout the afternoon. Rather than being turned loose to rush the passer, Soares was frequently tasked with spying Carr, hovering around the line of scrimmage and waiting to chase down the quarterback if he attempted to escape the pocket. It’s not the kind of assignment that fills a stat sheet, but it speaks to the discipline and team-first mentality that make Soares such a valuable player.
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi saved one of his best weapons for the closing moments. When Soares finally got the opportunity to attack, he unleashed an incredible spin move against michigan left guard Evan Link (No. 71). Somehow, Soares maintained his balance while moving at full speed, quickly changed direction as Carr scrambled away and managed to bring the quarterback down with an ankle tackle. The combination of speed, agility and body control was remarkable. Just an incredible football play.
Soares embodies everything that the No. 1 jersey is supposed to represent at Michigan State. A talented player, an unselfish teammate and a leader willing to do whatever his defense needs. Mr. Spartan delivered one final reminder of why he wears that number.
michigan’s Best Offense
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the more questionable officiating decisions of the afternoon. In the third quarter, Michigan State appeared to have gotten another important third-down stop, only for the officials to review whether the Spartans had too many men on the field.
The strange part was that no flag had been thrown during the play. Instead, the video assist crew reportedly alerted the officials afterward that a Spartan hadn’t completely cleared the field before the snap. Suddenly, a stray foot was enough to give michigan another opportunity.
PLAY 6: A Little Help From the Stripes
I’ve watched a lot of football, and I can’t recall seeing this type of penalty called after the fact. The timing made it even more suspicious. It came on third down, with michigan trailing by multiple scores, just as Michigan State appeared to have gotten off the field. Maybe it was technically the correct call, but it certainly smelled fishy. And somehow, these unusual officiating decisions always seem to benefit the same team in Ann Arbor.
At times, michigan’s best offense appeared to be the referees. Fortunately, Michigan State’s best defense might have been simply letting Tommy Carr throw the football. Between the questionable calls and Carr’s inability to consistently connect with his receivers, it was a strange afternoon in Ann Arbor. Even with a little assistance from the officials, michigan still couldn’t find a way to do much of anything against the Spartans.
What We Learned and What’s Next
After spending much of this season breaking down everything Michigan State has done wrong, it sure feels good to spend a week talking about what this team did right. The Spartans weren’t perfect against michigan, but they played with a level of physicality, discipline and confidence that we’ve been waiting to see. They controlled the football for more than 38 minutes, forced four turnovers and held michigan to just 192 yards of offense. Perhaps most importantly, they didn’t allow mistakes to snowball into the kind of disasters we’ve witnessed far too often this season. When something went wrong, somebody else stepped up and made a play. That’s what good football teams do.
One of my favorite moments wasn’t even a successful play. Early in the game, Alessio Milivojevic delivered a difficult fourth-down throw to Bryson Williams that the receiver couldn’t bring in. Rather than showing frustration, Milivojevic went over and encouraged his teammate. It’s a small moment that probably goes unnoticed by most people watching, but I think it speaks to the kind of leadership this team is beginning to develop. Milivojevic wasn’t spectacular statistically, finishing with 188 passing yards, but he protected the football, made some impressive throws under pressure and helped Michigan State sustain drives that kept michigan’s defense on the field.
Pat Fitzgerald deserves plenty of credit as well. During the broadcast, I noticed a moment when Fitzgerald was actively taking notes on the sideline while michigan’s coaching staff appeared to be searching for answers. Maybe I’m reading too much into a brief television shot, but it captured the difference between these two teams. Michigan State looked prepared and determined to execute its game plan. The Spartans trusted their defense, leaned on their running game and made michigan prove it could beat them. The wolverines never really came close.
Of course, one victory doesn’t erase the frustrations of the previous two months. Michigan State still has plenty of work ahead, particularly on offense. Settling for five field goals isn’t going to win many football games, and the Spartans need to find ways to turn those long possessions into touchdowns. But there’s something to be said for recognizing progress when it’s right in front of you. We’ve spent weeks wondering whether this team was improving, whether Fitzgerald’s message was getting through and whether the pieces were beginning to come together. For one Saturday in Ann Arbor, we finally got some encouraging answers.
Now comes the challenge of building on that performance. With Washington, Oregon and Rutgers remaining on the schedule, Michigan State has an opportunity to finish the season playing its best football. The Spartans have shown they can compete when they execute their assignments, avoid costly mistakes and play with the kind of physicality we saw against michigan. The question is whether they can carry that same approach into the final three games rather than allowing this victory to become an isolated highlight in an otherwise frustrating season.
Michigan State went into the Big House, physically dominated its biggest rival and brought Paul Bunyan home.
And after everything we’ve endured this season, I intend to enjoy every minute of it.
What stood out most to you from Michigan State’s victory over michigan? Was it the marathon third-quarter drive, Brandon Tullis’ toughness or the defensive performance? Let us know in the comments.
If you haven’t checked it out already, here’s our latest game breakdown on The Red Cedar Rundown. We’re live Sundays on YouTube, so come hang out, give us a like and subscribe while you’re there.
You can also find me on X @W00dsyOwl. Thanks for your support!
Go Green!
Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll.
