Colston Loveland catches 2 TDs and converts 2 points to help Michigan beat Michigan State 24-17

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Colston Loveland caught two passes and ran for 2 scores to help Michigan beat Michigan State 24-17 on Saturday night.

When the last seconds ticked off the clock, players punched and pushed each other in the middle of the field two years after a fight broke out in the tunnel between the rivals.

The Wolverines (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) snapped a two-game losing streak and earned a much-needed win on a tough schedule remaining in the regular season to earn a bowl bid under first-year coach Sherron Moore.

The Spartans (4-4, 2-3) gained 130 yards and had the ball for more than 13 minutes on their first two possessions, but only had a 7-0 lead to show for it.

Aidan Chiles had a layup late in the first half that helped Michigan gain momentum and earn a 9-7 halftime lead.

Later in the game, Chiles came back with a 20-yard touchdown pass to freshman Nick Marsh with 6:12 remaining.

Chiles led the Spartans to the Michigan 16 with 2 minutes left, and on fourth-and-5, he threw an incomplete pass in the end zone.

Michigan State started strong but missed opportunities.

The Spartans reached the Michigan 2 on their first possession and looked to take it on fourth down, but were called for a delay of game and failed the field goal attempt.

Nathan Carter capped Michigan’s second drive with a 2-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead with 130 yards of offense and 13-plus minutes of possession.

Michigan, meanwhile, gained a total of 37 yards on its first three possessions before suddenly finding a spark with a no-press offense.

Davis Warren led a 10-play, 64-yard drive that ended with his 10-yard touchdown pass to Loveland.

Two snaps later, Josiah Stewart forced a fumble by Chiles and Kenneth Grant recovered the ball and hit Dominic Zwada with a 37-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in the first half.

Michigan used a trick to extend its lead, flipping the ball to running back Donovan Edwards and fooling the Spartans with his 23-yard pass to Loveland, and the preseason All-America tight end caught the ensuing 2-point conversion for a 24-10 lead.

Michigan State linebacker Jordan Turner was ejected in the second half after being called for targeting.

Michigan was without preseason All-America quarterback Will Johnson due to injury.

TAKE AWAY

Michigan State: First-year coach Jonathan Smith will likely be lamenting the missed opportunities in his first game against the Wolverines’ rival. The Spartans could have been ahead 14-0 after the first two drives, and a mistake by Chiles proved costly, giving Michigan the lead for good at the end of the first half.

Michigan: The defending national champions boosted their chances of earning a bowl bid, needing to beat Northwestern at home later in the season to get a sixth win that could be out of reach with No. 13 Oregon, Indiana and No. 4 Ohio. Stan remained to play.

FURTHER

The Wolverines will be the hosts top rated Oregon and the Spartans will play #13 Indiana at home on Saturday.

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