EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — In a rivalry game defined by a dominant ground attack and a stifling defensive effort, the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 31-20 on Saturday night at a rain-soaked Spartan Stadium.

A crowd of 75,085 watched as the Wolverines (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) leaned heavily on a formidable rushing duo to control the clock and secure a crucial road victory, while the Spartans (3-3, 0-3) saw their conference struggles continue despite a late offensive surge.

The story of the game was the relentless performance of Michigan’s backfield. Justice Haynes, a running back from Buford, Georgia, was the engine of the offense, carrying the ball 26 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns. His partner, Jordan Marshall from West Chester, Ohio, provided the exclamation point, breaking free for a 56-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the victory, part of his 110-yard, one-touchdown day on 15 carries.

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood of Detroit managed the game effectively, contributing 26 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground while completing 8 of 17 passes for 86 yards. His primary target through the air was Andrew Marsh from Katy, Texas, who hauled in three catches for 54 yards.

The Wolverines set the tone early, capitalizing on a critical Michigan State mistake. On the Spartans’ opening drive, quarterback Aidan Chiles of Downey, California, fumbled after a hit from defensive back Brandyn Hillman, with Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder recovering at the Spartans’ 34-yard line. The Wolverines’ ensuing drive stalled, but Dimitri Zvada connected on a 21-yard field goal to put the first points on the board.

Michigan’s defense continued to harass Chiles, and the offense extended its lead later in the first quarter. A methodical drive, powered by the run game, was capped by a 13-yard touchdown scramble by Underwood, giving the Wolverines a 10-0 lead after the opening period.

The Spartans’ offense, which was stagnant for much of the first half, finally found a rhythm in the second quarter. A 49-yard run by Montorie Foster Jr. sparked a 15-play, 80-yard drive that consumed over seven minutes of clock. Chiles finally punched it in from one yard out on fourth down to cut the deficit to 10-7, which held until halftime.

Any momentum the Spartans carried into the break was quickly extinguished in the third quarter. Michigan received the kickoff and promptly marched 75 yards down the field, with Haynes accounting for 48 yards on the drive before finishing it with a 5-yard touchdown run.

After forcing a Michigan State punt, the Wolverines put together another long scoring drive. A key 27-yard completion from Underwood to Marsh set up Haynes for his second touchdown, a 14-yard sprint that gave Michigan a commanding 24-7 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Spartans showed signs of life in the fourth quarter. Chiles led a drive deep into Michigan territory, culminating in a 24-yard completion to Nick Marsh that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Brandon Tullis. A failed two-point conversion attempt left the score at 24-13.

Michigan State’s defense then forced a fumble by Haynes, recovered by linebacker David Santiago of Raleigh, North Carolina, giving the Spartans a chance to pull closer. The Michigan defense held firm, however, forcing a turnover on downs.

The Wolverines put the game out of reach on the very next play from scrimmage, as Marshall found a seam and raced 56 yards for a touchdown, making it 31-13 with just under three minutes to play.

Spartans backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic of Naperville, Illinois, entered the game and engineered a late scoring drive, finding tight end Michael Masunas for a 21-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds remaining to provide the final margin.

Defensively, the Wolverines were led by Rolder, who had 10 tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hurry, and Ernest Hausmann, who added eight tackles. The Michigan defense sacked Chiles and Milivojevic a combined five times, with Derrick Moore recording two of them.

For the Spartans, linebacker Jordan Hall of Fredericksburg, Virginia, recorded a game-high nine tackles, while Jalen Thompson of Detroit had six tackles and two quarterback hurries.

The victory moves Michigan above .500 in conference play as they prepare to host Purdue next Saturday. Michigan State, still searching for its first Big Ten win, will travel to face Minnesota.