EAST LANSING, Mich. — No. 19 Michigan State men soccer hosts in-state rival Michigan at 7 p.m. Tuesday at DeMartin Stadium in East Lansing in the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy, with the match nationally televised on Big Ten Network.
Michigan State entered the week at 8-2-1 overall and 4-1-0 in Big Ten play after upsetting No. 7 Maryland on Friday. The Spartans hold an unbeaten home record this season as they defend the Big Bear Trophy.
Michigan is 3-4-3 overall and 0-2-2 in conference play after a scoreless draw with Penn State on Friday. The Wolverines have not allowed more than two goals in any match this season.
The winner is awarded the Big Bear Trophy, established in 2000 after Michigan first head coach Steve Burns found a carved bear stump and partnered with then-Michigan State coach Joe Baum on the rivalry prize. Michigan State leads the series 16-12-5 and won the last meeting 2-1 in 2025.
Spartans coach Damon Rensing said records can be set aside for a fun, intense night at DeMartin Stadium. Senior forward Richie Ludwig ranks near the top of the Big Ten in assists, and senior midfielder Miles Merritt was named to the Hermann Trophy midseason watch list.
The teams will meet for the 34th time in the rivalry. The last East Lansing meeting ended in a scoreless draw in 2024.
