Colston Loveland caught two touchdown passes and a 2-point conversion, helping Michigan defeat Michigan State 24-17 on Saturday night.
As the game ended, players started fighting in the middle of the field, two years after a previous incident in the tunnel between the two teams.
The fight began when Loveland and Michigan State defensive end Anthony Jones pushed each other and bumped helmets after quarterback Davis Warren took a knee to let the clock run out.
“It was heat-of-the-moment type stuff,” Loveland said.
Players from both Michigan and Michigan State left their benches to join the fight.
“I told the team that was unacceptable,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said.
The Wolverines (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) ended a two-game losing streak and got a crucial win as they face a tough schedule ahead in the regular season to qualify for a bowl under first-year coach Sherrone Moore.
“It was huge for our kids to get the victory,” Moore said.
The Spartans (4-4, 2-3) had 130 yards and controlled the ball for more than 13 minutes during their first two drives but only managed to take a 7-0 lead.
Aidan Chiles lost a fumble late in the first half, allowing Michigan to gain momentum and take a 9-7 lead at halftime.
Chiles bounced back later in the game by throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Nick Marsh with 6:12 left.
Chiles then led the Spartans to the Michigan 16-yard line with 2 minutes remaining, but on fourth-and-5, he threw an incomplete pass in the end zone.
“We believe we should have won this game,” Spartans running back Nathan Carter said.
Michigan State started strong but missed several opportunities.
The Spartans got to the Michigan 2-yard line on their first drive and planned to go for it on fourth down, but they were called for a delay of game and messed up a field-goal attempt.
Carter finished Michigan State’s second drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, giving them a 7-0 lead after gaining 130 yards and holding the ball for over 13 minutes.
Meanwhile, Michigan only gained 37 yards in its first three drives until they switched to a no-huddle offense.
Davis Warren led a 10-play, 64-yard drive that ended with his 10-yard touchdown pass to Loveland.
Just two plays later, Josaiah Stewart forced Chiles to fumble, and Kenneth Grant recovered the ball, allowing Dominic Zvada to kick a 37-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in the first half.
Michigan used a trick play to increase its lead, pitching the ball to running back Donovan Edwards, who surprised the Spartans with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Loveland. Loveland then caught a 2-point conversion, putting Michigan ahead 24-10.
“Our coaches had the trust and confidence to make that call,” Edwards said.
In the second half, Michigan State linebacker Jordan Turner was ejected for targeting.
Michigan was missing preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson due to an injury.
