Michigan State corrals Michigan's Robinson
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - No. 17 Michigan State intercepted three of Denard Robinson's passes - one in the end zone, one just outside of it - and scored 24 unanswered points to break open a close game in a 34-17 rout of 18th-ranked Michigan Saturday.
For the first time since 1965-67, MSU has won three straight in the series, and this victory came in front of 113,065 at the remodeled Big House.
"I feel great and very, very proud of our football team," coach Mark Dantonio told The Associated Press in a phone interview after he rode back to East Lansing. "It was a program win."
Dantonio was on the field during warm-ups and in the visiting coaches' box during the game, watching his team play in person for the first time since a heart attack three weeks ago.
"To see him walking around before the game and looking in his eye really showed how much he wanted this game," MSU linebacker Greg Jones said.
On the first Michigan drive, Robinson made an errant throw that was intercepted in the end zone. He also sailed a pass over a wide-open receiver in the end zone on the next possession and threw behind a teammate near the goal line in the third quarter.
"It's a team game, it's not an 'I' game," Robinson said. "I can't put everything on my shoulders."
Robinson was 17-for-29 for 215 yards and accounted for two touchdowns, but made the three costly turnovers and ran for a season-low 86 yards - with a long of 16 - on 21 carries.
"We contained him," defensive tackle Kevin Pickelman said. "We knew he couldn't throw the ball."
Michigan State's Kirk Cousins avoided turning over the ball, threw for 284 yards and a TD and handed off to Edwin Baker, Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper for three scores.
Baker ran for 147 yards, Bell had 78 yards rushing and the Spartans rolled up 249 on the ground.
"Maybe someday the little brother believes he can compete with the big brother," said Dantonio, referring to how former Wolverines running back Mike Hart called the Spartans Michigan's little brother following the Wolverines' last win over MSU in 2007.
