WATCH: Michigan strikes first in epic rivalry series vs. Michigan State
After coming up with an interception deep in their own territory, Michigan took advantage of the turnover, as Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara found wide reciever Andrel Anthony for a 93-yard touchdown to put Michigan up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
Anthony, an East Lansing native, found an opening to pick up the first down, then raced nearly 70 yards down the left sideline after the catch past Spartans defenders for the touchdown. It was the true freshman’s first catch of his Michigan career.
The touchdown was also the longest pass for the Wolverines this season and the eighth passing touchdown. The Wolverines have largely relied on the two-back tandem of Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins offensively this season but with promising freshman wide receivers like Anthony, AJ Henning and Cristian Dixon emerging, the Wolverines passing attack is expected to be a factor through the rest of the season
Andrel Anthony was a three-star prospect out of East Lansing High School. Anthony committed to the Wolverines in late July 2020, spurning his hometown Spartans and 26 additional offers.
All eyes are on Saturday’s battle between the Spartans and Wolverines as the winner of Saturday’s game controls their own destiny, while the loser will likely need some help to reach the Big Ten title game. Both teams still have games against Ohio State and Penn State on the calendar.
Michigan State-Michigan is the hottest ticket in town this Saturday, as the Spartans host not just the Wolverines, but also ESPN’s flagship college football show, College GameDay.
Saturday marks the first time College GameDay has traveled to East Lansing since Sept. 12, 2015, when then-No. 5 Michigan State topped No. 7 Oregon, 31-28.
Michigan leads the series 71-37-5 all-time, but Michigan State has won six of the last 10 meetings. The game kicked off at noon ET on Fox.