It was late October, the kind of night where the air in East Lansing bites just enough to let you know winter is coming. If you’re looking for the short answer to who won the Michigan State Michigan game, the No. 25 Michigan Wolverines walked out of Spartan Stadium with a 31-20 victory on October 25, 2025. But a final score on a ticker doesn’t even begin to tell the story of a game that felt more like a heavyweight boxing match than a football game.
The Paul Bunyan Trophy isn't leaving Ann Arbor. Not this year.
The Ground War in East Lansing
Michigan won this game because they decided the forward pass was mostly a suggestion. Honestly, it was a throwback. In a world of high-flying spreads, Sherrone Moore leaned on a "ground and pound" philosophy that eventually broke the Spartans’ spirit. Justice Haynes was the absolute star, shredding the MSU defense for 152 rushing yards and two massive touchdowns.
When Haynes wasn't punishing the line, Jordan Marshall was. Marshall chipped in another 110 yards and a score of his own. Together, they accounted for over 260 yards on the ground. Think about that for a second. In an era where everyone wants to see 400-yard passing performances, Michigan basically said, "We’re going to run it, you know we’re going to run it, and you still can't stop us."
Michigan’s freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood had a rough night through the air, finishing with a season-low 86 yards. He looked like a freshman at times, sure. But he also showed that "it" factor when it mattered most, specifically on a 13-yard touchdown run where he struck a pose in the end zone that felt like a declaration of a new era.
Why Michigan State Fell Short
Jonathan Smith’s Spartans didn't lose because they lacked heart. They lost because they couldn't stop shooting themselves in the foot. Twelve penalties. 105 yards given away for free. You just can’t do that in a rivalry game and expect to see Paul Bunyan in your locker room afterward.
Aidan Chiles had a frustrating night. He completed 14 of 28 passes but was plagued by a "D-grade" performance (his own words) that included a costly fumble on his third snap and a failure to convert on critical fourth downs. The most heartbreaking moment for the Spartan faithful came in the fourth quarter. Trailing 24-20, MSU had the ball at the Michigan 27. Instead of kicking a field goal to make it a one-score game, they went for it on fourth-and-3. The pass fell incomplete.
Then, on the next drive, they turned it over on downs again when Chiles couldn't scramble for a single yard on fourth-and-short. That was the game. Jordan Marshall sealed the deal shortly after with a 56-yard touchdown sprint that sent half the stadium to the exits.
👉 See also: Jason Taylor: Why the Leanest Kid from Akron Redefined the Modern NFL Pass Rusher
A History of "The Game" Before The Game
To understand the weight of who won the Michigan State Michigan game in 2025, you have to look at the 2024 meeting. That game was a bit closer—a 24-17 Michigan win in Ann Arbor. In that contest, Colston Loveland proved why he’s one of the best tight ends in the country, hauling in two touchdowns.
The Spartans actually outgained the Wolverines in 2024, but a late-game fumble and a failure to convert in the red zone told the same story we saw in 2025. It’s a pattern that has allowed Michigan to win four straight in the series.
"It means everything for us," Sherrone Moore said after the 2025 win. And he's right. For Michigan, this win wasn't just about a trophy; it was about stabilizing a season and proving the post-Harbaugh era still has teeth.
Key Stats from the 2025 Matchup
- Final Score: Michigan 31, Michigan State 20
- Justice Haynes (MICH): 152 yards, 2 TDs
- Jordan Marshall (MICH): 110 yards, 1 TD
- Aidan Chiles (MSU): 130 yards passing, 1 rushing TD, 1 fumble lost
- Total Penalties (MSU): 12 for 105 yards
- Attendance: 75,000+ (Sold Out)
What This Means for the Rivalry
Michigan now leads the all-time series 75-38-5. That gap is widening again. For a few years under Mel Tucker, it felt like Michigan State had figured out the secret sauce to frustrate the Wolverines. Now, the momentum has swung violently back toward Ann Arbor.
The 2025 game highlighted a massive talent gap in the trenches. Michigan's offensive line eventually wore down an MSU defensive front that looked exhausted by the midway point of the third quarter. It’s hard to win when you're being moved three yards backward every time the ball is snapped.
Your Next Steps for Following the Big Ten
If you're a fan of either team, the fallout from this game usually dictates the rest of the recruiting cycle in the state. Michigan's win secures their "big brother" status for at least another 365 days, while Michigan State has to figure out how to clean up the "sloppy play" that Jonathan Smith lamented in his post-game presser.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal this coming December. Both teams have clear needs—Michigan needs to find a more consistent passing rhythm to support their elite run game, and MSU desperately needs more depth on the defensive line to handle the physical identity of the Big Ten.
💡 You might also like: Caleb Williams Reddit Bears: What Most People Get Wrong
Check the official Big Ten standings to see how this win impacts the bowl seeding, as Michigan’s 6-2 record has them firmly in the hunt for a high-tier January bowl game.