Our favorite photos from Michigan’s win over Michigan State

ANN ARBOR – Michigan football took home the Paul Bunyan Trophy on Saturday, rebounding from a pair of road losses and defeating its in-state rival in a hard-fought contest that ended in a short-lived brawl at midfield .

The Wolverines started Davis Warren at quarterback, returning to an early-season game plan that saw them substitute Alex Orji on several run-focused plays. Michigan State established an early lead with a long opening drive that put its opponents on the defensive, but, on the Wolverines’ first foray into MSU territory in the final minutes of the half, Warren connected with Colston Loveland for the first touchdown. of Michigan. Moments later, the Wolverines were in position to score a field goal that gave them a 9-7 lead heading into halftime.

Orji scrambled into the end zone on the first drive of the second half to increase Michigan’s lead. Sparty responded with a 46-yard field goal to make the game a one-score. Early in the fourth quarter, Michigan ran a trick play in which running back Donovan Edwards nailed a 23-yard pass to Loveland; The senior is now 4-for-4 with 131 yards and two touchdowns in his Michigan career. Warren hit Loveland once again for the two-point conversion that put Michigan up 24-10.

The Spartans responded with a long drive that ended with quarterback Aiden Chiles making a 20-yard pass to Nick Marsh. Down 7 points, Michigan State was in scoring position with four minutes left, but the Wolverines stopped their opponent in the red zone and ran out the clock.

As the final seconds of the game ticked down, Loveland and MSU defensive lineman Anthony Jones exchanged words and then headbutts, prompting both teams to run to midfield to push each other. The players were quickly separated and coaches Sherrone Moore and Jonathan Smith shook hands before the Wolverines hoisted the trophy.

MLive photographers were there to capture it all. Check out some of our favorite photos below or Click through the gallery above to see 150 images from the game.