Tag: msu spartans

Kalel Mullings on MSU postgame skirmish: ‘I wasn’t stomping on anybody’

Let’s put this to bed now. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy can never seem to end without some extracurricular activities, and such was the case in the 2024 edition.

As the Wolverines were getting up from victory formation, MSU and Michigan football tangled on the field as the clock wound down, but the two teams were separated without much fuss or muss. However, that didn’t stop the Spartan contingent from poring over the TV copy to find some fault on the maize and blue side of the line of scrimmage.

The scapegoat in East Lansing was Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who was maligned, even by Spartan media, for their perception that he was stomping on someone, purportedly a female staffer. Of course, there has been no evidence of this beyond zoomed-in, grainy video, but MSU media and fans ran with it, even as athletic director Alan Haller’s attempts at seeking punishment for Michigan were rebuffed by the Big Ten.

Mullings, who was at the center, finally addressed the situation on Tuesday evening, weeks later, noting that he heard his name mentioned as some sort of agitator, but more from family than in social media.

“Thankfully, I don’t really pay too much attention to social media,” Mullings said. “I saw my grandma was calling me and stuff, talking about what they’re saying online, and stuff like that. But I was cool throughout the entire thing, because I knew I didn’t do what people were saying I was doing.

“So, I wasn’t stomping on anybody or anything like that so it didn’t really bother me too much. It was really, I would say it was probably bothering the people around me and my family and stuff more than me, because I was just like — it’s whatever. I know I didn’t do it, and I’m not on (social media) that much anyway, so didn’t really bother me.”

So, as Mullings was in the heart of the story, what is his reaction? What does he say he was doing in the middle of the midfield scrum? According to him, nothing close to what was alleged.

“So, obviously, the fight broke out,” Mullings said. “Guys are going everywhere, and we’re just in the crowd. I was just trying to get guys away and break it up.

“So, yeah, that’s really all there was. And I guess people saw that in some angles, yeah.”

Of course, this will tie up things on the Michigan end, but Mullings will live forever as a bad guy — wrongfully or rightfully — in the eyes of the green and white faithful.

Sherrone Moore refutes MSU media narrative on Kalel Mullings in postgame skirmish

This is more in-line with Mullings’ character than what MSU fans are accusing him of. #GoBlue

Michigan State fans often like to talk about ‘the Blue Wall,’ a conspiracy theory they’ve concocted that furthers their own sense of victimhood. ‘The Blue Wall’ is their assertion that everyone is out to protect Michigan football at the expense of MSU.

So, after years of being painted as the bad guy following the assault in the Michigan Stadium tunnel following the 2022 game, the Spartans were all too happy to paint a typical postgame skirmish between two rivals as some kind of dastardly situation concocted by Michigan where the Wolverines were the worst actors.

The MSU media took the matter into its own hands and flat-out named Kalel Mullings as a bad actor who was ‘stomping’ on a Spartan player or staffer. However, upon reviewing the video, the Big Ten did not implicate Mullings or any other Wolverine. And Sherrone Moore told 97.1 The Ticket earlier this week that Michigan’s own internal review indicates Mullings was not only maliciously trying to hurt Spartan players or staffers, but he was actively trying to break up the scuffle.

“We’ve looked at the film, looked at everything, had our discussions internally,” Moore said. “We saw a lot of our guys being positive. I think there’s things out there about Kalel Mullings, he was one of the guys who was trying to be a superhero.

“He was trying to pull everybody apart. I think our guys were doing the right thing.”

It’s difficult to tell what really is the truth, even with cameras there capturing everything in 4K. Even so, against any other team and against any other media apparatus, this incident would be like any other in-game scuffle that you see across the college football season. But now, Mullings’ reputation has been tarnished, even without any substantial evidence that he was doing what MSU fans and media accused him of.

It may be the nature of this rivalry, but it needs to stop.

Why Michigan’s win over MSU was bigger than just a rivalry win

Really needed this win. #GoBlue

Coming off of two straight losses, Michigan football needed get tourniquet the bleeding. Given that there are still three ranked teams on the schedule, the Wolverines needed to beat the teams that are equal or worse, and rival MSU came into the game on the rise, albeit with the same 4-3 record as the maize and blue.

On the In the Trenches podcast, senior running back and team captain Donovan Edwards shared why Michigan needed this win more than most other games.

“Very important to have that victory,” Edwards said. “See, we’ve only lost three games in my three years here, and despite the rivalry, it was a must, needed win for us. Just a boost in confidence in the program. And just bringing the electric energy back into the facility, a much-needed win. And it’s always great to win a rivalry game. But despite that, it was just a much-needed win here in Schembechler Hall.”

The Wolverines lost to two unranked teams in Washington and Illinois because they couldn’t stop turning the ball over. Even the loss to Texas came because, also, turnovers.

So Edwards — who has two fumbles this season —  says that the offense went back to the basics to ensure that they’d take care of the football and between that and the play-calling, it was all about execution.

“It’s just the fact that we’ve had so many turnovers, and those turnovers just shot us and when you lose a turnover battle, you’re ultimately going to lose the game pretty much,” Edwards said. “And firstly, we just had too many turnovers, and we wanted to minimize that much as possible. And all week, the coaches were just completely emphasizing ball security, and just going back to the fundamentals of how to hold the football and just redirecting us.

“And they ultimately did a great job for us, schematically-wise. I thought Kirk called a hell of a game for us, and the players just went out there and went out there and executed. And that was just something that we were just talking about all week. It doesn’t matter what play call it is or anything like that. It’s one of those players, especially like us leaders were emphasizing that it doesn’t matter (what’s) going on like we have to go out there, play together, play for each other, and just go out there, execute the play calls.”

Josaiah Stewart recalls forcing Aidan Chiles’ fumble in key play vs. MSU

It was maybe the key play of the game. #GoBlue

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.”

Big Ten issues statement on Michigan football vs MSU skirmish

This is all so stupid. #GoBlue

Near the end of the Michigan football win over rival Michigan State, both teams got into a scuffle as time was expiring. Colston Loveland explained what happened as it started between him and MSU edge rusher Anthony Jones as the Wolverines were coming out of victory formation, and Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said after the game that his team would be held to account.

But the Spartan fan base and media have essentially Zaprudered the postgame video and pointed fingers claiming levels of culpability for the Wolverine contingent. MSU AD Alan Haller shared on Monday that they would be seeking punishment from the Big Ten as to Michigan’s side of the action in the skirmish.

However, the Big Ten released a statement on Tuesday, noting that the video evidence was inconclusive and that there would be no punishment for either side in the aftermath of the on-field fight.

The Big Ten Conference thoroughly reviewed video of the incident that occurred at the conclusion of Saturday’s Michigan-Michigan State football game.  Amidst the confrontation, student-athletes from both teams were on the ground and surrounded by so many individuals that both players were completely obscured from view.  The video review was inconclusive as to whether individual discipline was appropriate for anyone in the immediate vicinity of the two players who were on the ground.  While the confrontation was a disappointing conclusion to the contest, the Conference appreciates the efforts made by staff from both teams, security personnel, and game officials to rapidly de-escalate the incident, as well as the responses by both head coaches.  The Big Ten discussed the situation with both institutions and determined that no further action will be taken.

As the MSU side has pointed fingers at Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, as the Big Ten sees it, there’s no evidence on video that Mullings conclusively was attempting to injure a Spartan staffer or player on the ground. As of yet, we do not know if there are any in-house suspensions by Michigan, but certainly we’ll know this week when Michigan hosts Oregon on Saturday.

MSU AD Alan Haller issued a statement after the Big Ten’s decision saying, “Regardless of whether I agree with the Big Ten’s determination, their decision is final. I will continue to work to make sure our student-athletes, coaches and staff are treated fairly.”

Donovan Edwards reflects on his pivotal TD pass vs. MSU

It was the perfect playcall at the perfect time. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was a pivotal point in the game for Michigan football as it had to score some points to keep rival MSU at bay.

The Wolverine defense managed to hold the Spartans to just seven points in the first half, despite Aidan Chiles and Nate Carter managing to drive the field with regularity in the early going. Michigan scored nine unanswered points to end the first half and then scored another touchdown to open up the second half.

MSU scored a field goal near the end of the third quarter to cut the lead to six, so going into the fourth quarter, Michigan couldn’t afford to waste a possession, especially another one that started with a relatively short field.

Then it happened. Running back Donovan Edwards took a handoff and ran toward the right sideline, with Spartan defenders crashing in. Then, Edwards stopped in his tracks and tossed the ball up to a wide open Colston Loveland for a 23-yard touchdown to help put Michigan up by 14 with 13 minutes remaining in the game.

“That’s a play that we had in the microwave for quite some time now,” Edwards said. “And, I think, just like our coaches had the trust and the confidence just to call that play in reality too, that —  the safeties, they trigger very hard and they’re tremendous athletes, tremendous players. Same thing with their whole entire defense. It’s just something that we were comfortable calling in that situation. And I’m glad that we got that off the call sheet.”

With that touchdown pass, Edwards is 4-for-4 as a passer, with 131 yards and two touchdowns. It’s an incredible streak even with small numbers, especially considering that Edwards isn’t a quarterback. Edwards was gleeful after the game, joking about his standing in terms of being the greatest ever when it comes to being a Michigan ‘quarterback.’

“I ain’t the next Tom Brady but I’m an athlete,” Edwards said. “I don’t need to warm (up), just go and let it rip out there.”

But in seriousness, when did Edwards know that he could throw the ball in-game and have any modicum of success? He did play some wildcat quarterback at West Bloomfield (Mich.), but it wasn’t until he got his first opportunity in a key game when he hit Roman Wilson for a long touchdown to beat Iowa and advance to the College Football Playoff in his freshman year.

“Most specifically for me, it was the Big Ten Championship in 2021 just like the athletic ability and the trust that the coaches have in me, just to get those calls off the call sheet and have them dialed up,” Edwards said. “I think it’s a tremendous honor just for the coaches to be able to have confidence in you, just to do something like that.

“And Dono has a perfect QBR rate, too!”

We’ll see if Michigan has more of that type of play in store with Oregon coming to town on Saturday.

How the postgame fight between Michigan and MSU started and Sherrone Moore’s reaction

Here is how the fight began, if you didn’t know. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For the first time in a few years, there didn’t seem to be many shenanigans in the Michigan-MSU football game, and both teams seemed rather well-behaved.

Michigan State had one targeting penalty and that player was ejected, but there weren’t the usual multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, and the game was mostly clean.

That was similar to the last time the rivals played at Michigan Stadium. However, in the aftermath of that game came the altercation in the Lloyd Carr tunnel that became the talk of college football in the immediate aftermath.

This game stayed clean — until time was nearly expired. Michigan, having just produced a first down that enabled it to go into victory formation, took a knee on the next snap. Then all hell (briefly) broke loose. Tight end Colston Loveland was headbutted and the rival teams suddenly found themselves in a bit of a brawl.

It wasn’t long-lasting, and the teams were removed from the field. Michigan players waved bye to the MSU contingent heading toward the tunnel.

It turns out, Loveland was doing some jawing, and that led to defensive lineman Anthony Jones’ reaction.

“You know how it is, just the rivalry, just a lot of talking, shoving,” Loveland said. “Like I said, we respect them, just kind of heat of the moment type stuff. Super glad got the win — onto the next week.”

Head coach Sherrone Moore wasn’t happy any of it happened: the jawing or the reaction to the reaction. As he said in his postgame press conference, that’s not what Michigan stands for, and he’ll handle the issue internally.

“I told the team it’s unacceptable, regardless of what happened and how it started,” Moore said. “There’s guys chirping at us and us responding. And the guy headbutted Colston at the end, and our job is to represent these universities, not to respond to that, is to let the refs handle that. So something that we’ll handle internally and make sure we take care of. But that’s not Michigan football. That’s not who we are.”

Michigan has won three straight over rival MSU, and the Spartans will have a chip on their shoulders after the way this game ended, at the very least.

Michigan vs MSU injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 9

All the latest updates and news on Michigan’s injury report ahead of a Week 9 game vs. MSU.

Michigan football has continued to struggle in recent weeks, in part due to some injury concerns. While there are some expectations that left tackle Myles Hinton could return this week, it was reported that star cornerback Will Johnson — who left in the first half last week against Illinois — will not play this week.

Here is the official injury report for both Michigan and Michigan State now that the Week 9 game is at hand.

Michigan injury report

Questionable

  • Kendrick Bell
  • Enow Etta
  • Quinten Johnson

Out

  • Amorion Walker
  • Will Johnson
  • Jaden Mangham
  • Micah Pollard
  • Rod Moore
  • Jack Tuttle
  • Jordan Marshall
  • Rayshaun Benny
  • Bryson Kuzdzal

MSU injury report

Questionable

  • None

Out

  • Dillon Tatum
  • Chance Rucker
  • Avery Dunn

Myles Hinton injury update

It’s unclear when Hinton ended up being injured but he missed the Week 6 game at Washington. and the Week 8 game at Illinois. With another week to heal there is hope that he could return and replace senior Jeff Persi who has filled in the past two games.

Will Johnson injury update

Johnson was injured initially in Week 4 against USC and missed Week 5 against Minnesota. He sustained a lower-body injury in Week 8 at Illinois. There’s no timetable for his return.

Michigan football announces uniform combo for MSU game

Clean and classic. #GoBlue

Michigan football has been on the road the past two games and thus wearing white tops with different colored pants.

At Washington in Week 6, the Wolverines opted for maize pants and in Week 8 at Illinois last week, Michigan wore blue pants (and lost for only the first time with the white top-blue pants combo). Now the maize and blue return to The Big House where they’ll face in-state rival Michigan State in the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

And with that, they’ll don a more traditional look.

According to the official Michigan football X account, the Wolverines will wear blue tops with maize pants and white accessories in the showdown against the fellow 4-3 Spartans.

It’s not clear, but it appears that MSU is likely to be wearing all white with green helmets, according to a couple of posts on its official X account.

Michigan has won two straight against MSU and hope to make it a third straight. However, nearly every first-year head coach for the Wolverines has lost their first game as a head coach against the in-state rival. Sherrone Moore hopes to buck that trend as he works to create more cohesion in a Michigan offense which has been struggling all year, but more so as of late.

The game will kick off at 7:40 p.m. EDT at Michigan Stadium and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.

How Michigan football and Michigan State match up on offense, defense

These teams look relatively evenly matched on paper. #GoBlue

Michigan football entered 2024 with the idea that despite all of the personnel losses and coaching turnover it was still going to be able to get into the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Michigan State, on the other hand, was in full rebuild mode, with a new head coach in Jonathan Smith taking over a Spartan squad that didn’t make a bowl game last year.

However, even as both teams have struggled, MSU has more of an identity and has leaned into it as weeks have passed. Michigan, on the other hand, has fallen off more lately, as it works to figure out how to run any kind of effective offense. Both rivals enter Saturday’s game at 4-3 on the season.

But how do they match up on either side of the ball, at least in terms of stats? Let’s take a look at the stats and rankings to see how each rival matches up against the other.

Without further ado, here are the numbers.

Michigan offense, MSU defense, by the numbers

Michigan offense (rank) MSU defense (rank)
Passing 128.3 yards/game (130) 192 yards/game allowed (31)
Rushing 180.29 yards/game (45) 131.14 yards/game allowed (53)
Scoring 21.1 points/game (112) 20.9 points/game allowed (39)
Total 308.6 yards/game (118) 323.1 yards/game allowed (29)
First downs 16.4 first downs/game (120) 18 first downs/game allowed (37)
Third down conversions 38.46% (84) 43.16% allowed (110)
Red zone conversions 78.57% (98), TD: 63.29% (63) 72.73% allowed (15), TD: 63.64% allowed (90)
Tackles for loss 34 allowed (44) 42 (51)
Sacks 13 allowed (60) 15 (53)

MSU offense, Michigan defense, by the numbers

MSU offense (rank) Michigan defense (rank)
Passing 233.4 yards/game (67) 234.1 yards/game allowed (97)
Rushing 133.29 yards/game (90) 92.14 yards/game allowed (9)
Scoring 21.6  points/game (110) 22.1 points/game allowed (50)
Total 366.7 yards/game (91) 326.3 yards/game allowed (34)
First downs 20 first downs/game (83) 18.9 first downs/game allowed (60)
Third down conversions 40.7% (57) 39.22% allowed (76)
Red zone conversions 73.08% (123), TD: 38.46% (131) 81.48% allowed (55), TD: 55.56% allowed (49)
Tackles for loss 40 allowed (77) 44 (44)
Sacks 17 allowed (91) 28 (18)

Also, according to ESPN SP+, Michigan has the No. 24 team overall, the No. 74 offense and No. 10 defense. MSU has the No. 72 team, the No. 101 offense, and the No. 29 defense.

The Wolverines and Spartans will play on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at The Big House at 7:30 p.m. EDT.