---
title: "Spartans Reclaim Paul Bunyan Trophy With 15-6 Win at Michigan"
url: https://www.herelansing.com/2026/11/08/michigan-state-beats-michigan-15-6-paul-bunyan/
date: 2026-11-08T05:32:34-05:00
modified: 2026-11-08T05:32:34-05:00
author: "Ian E. Mendoza"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Lansing"
attribution: "HERE Lansing"
---

# Spartans Reclaim Paul Bunyan Trophy With 15-6 Win at Michigan

> ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan State kicked its way back into possession of the Paul Bunyan Trophy on Saturday night, beating Michigan 15-6 at Michigan Stadium for the Spartans' first win in the rivalry since 2021 and sending the trophy home to East Lansing, Mich. Liam Boyd supplied every Spartan point with five field goals,

*Source: [HERE Lansing](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/11/08/michigan-state-beats-michigan-15-6-paul-bunyan/) — November 8, 2026 by Ian E. Mendoza*

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan State kicked its way back into possession of the Paul Bunyan Trophy on Saturday night, beating Michigan 15-6 at Michigan Stadium for the Spartans’ first win in the rivalry since 2021 and sending the trophy home to East Lansing, Mich.

Liam Boyd supplied every Spartan point with five field goals, from 21, 37, 38, 24 and 49 yards. The MSU defense took the ball away four times, recovering two fumbles and picking off freshman quarterback Tommy Carr twice, and sacked Carr five times.

Michigan managed just 192 total yards, went 2 of 10 on third down and held the ball for only 21:53 to the Spartans’ 38:07 in front of 111,172 fans. The Wolverines avoided a shutout when Savion Hiter scored on a 1-yard run with 1:35 to play. Their defense held MSU to field goals on four trips inside the red zone.

The result ends a four-game losing streak against Michigan and a six-game skid overall for Michigan State, now 3-6 and 1-5 in the Big Ten. The Spartans host Washington next Saturday. Michigan, 5-4 and 2-4, plays at Oregon on Nov. 14.