Michigan needed a win against rival Michigan State in the worst way. It’s not just that a loss would have pushed the Wolverines to 4-4 rather than 5-3, but the team needed to get its confidence back after losing two straight games that were seen as wins in the offseason.
But that’s how fans and the media talk about it. As far as the players, like edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, were concerned, the win was just righting the ship.
“I feel everything was the same,” Stewart said. “Obviously, winning feels good always, especially after coming off two losses. And the vibe — it’s been a long time since we won a game. But, I mean, our mindset’s always the same every week,”
Stewart had one of the more pivotal plays in the game. With under two minutes remaining in the first half and with Michigan having just scored a touchdown to cut the deficit from 0-7 to 6-7, MSU had gotten the ball back with the intent to push the lead before the second half — especially since Michigan would start out with the ball.
The senior edge rusher managed to get to MSU quarterback Aidan Chiles, forcing a fumble which was then recovered by Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. The play happened so quickly that Stewart didn’t even realize what was going on in the immediate aftermath.
“It kind of went by kind of fast,” Stewart said. “I mean, the strip sack happened, and then next thing you know, there’s three points on the board. I was kind of like, too busy celebrating with my teammates. Next thing I know, we’re walking in the locker room up 9-7. But I mean, it’s huge. Those plays like that, they change games.”
But what happened on that play? Was there something Stewart had seen on tape that led to him being able to punch the ball out? No, it was more that Chiles, who likes to scramble and keep plays alive with his legs, had been running around in the backfield for some time, and Stewart felt he had to get him on the ground before he extended the drive.
The next thing he knew, he made the play.
“Honestly, like I was kind of chasing him too long,” Stewart said. “I feel like one more second he was gonna get rid of it. So I kind of just dove and sold out. And he had both hands on the ball, so I kind of knew where to aim for my hands. And just glad the ball came out.”