EAST LANSING, Mich. - With a three-point lead and around seven minutes remaining in the game, No. 6 Michigan (7-0) had a chance to put their rivals, Michigan State (7-0), away for good. Then, a costly fumble from freshman quarterback JJ McCarthy gave the Spartans life.

With Kenneth Walker III in the backfield, it was all they needed.

Seven plays later, Walker scampered into the end zone from 23 yards out for his fifth touchdown of the game, giving MSU the lead. Two defensive stops later and the Spartans had pulled off the upset, 37-33, to retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

It was a historic day for the transfer running back for the Spartans. He ran for 197 yards and 5 total TDs; those 5 TDs are the most vs. Michigan and the second-most in any game by a Spartan ball carrier.

With the win, MSU holds the cards in the Big Ten East as the lone undefeated team. Michigan will need an MSU loss, and maybe two if they want to win the Big Ten East.

Walker Leads Tremendous Comeback

For most of the game, Michigan was in control of the scoreboard and felt in control of the game. Quarterback Cade McNamara was playing very well as the Wolverines showed their most balanced offensive attack to date. Halfway through the third quarter, Michigan held a 30-14 lead and looked poised to run away with the game.

With wide receiver Jalen Nailor injured in the first half, it put a bunch of pressure on Kenneth Walker III to control the run game for the Spartans. Luckily for MSU, he was able to do that all day, dicing up the Michigan defense for nearly 200 yards and 5 TDs. In the second half alone, Walker III racked up 110 yards and 3 TDs as MSU erased the 16-point deficit to take a 37-33 lead, a lead they would not surrender.

Now, the Spartans are in control of the Big Ten East as the lone undefeated team left. This win sets up a monumental matchup between MSU and Ohio State; both teams are still unbeaten in conference play and have hopes of making the College Football Playoffs.

Meanwhile, Walker III made the strongest case for the Heisman Trophy Award to this point in the season. The former Wake Forest back may now be the frontrunner for the most prestigious individual award in College Football. 

McNamara Shines, McCarthy Sputters

The quarterback position has been the greatest concern for Michigan fans throughout the season. Junior Cade McNamara has been reliable all year, but many have been clamoring for the higher-ceiling player in freshman JJ McCarthy. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has stood by McNamara but has looked to McCarthy in certain situations.

While McCarthy played the most snaps of his Michigan career on Saturday, a puzzling decision to put the freshman in a crucial spot may have cost the Wolverines. With a three-point lead with around seven minutes to go, McCarthy came back into the game to start the drive. The proceeding play was a miscommunication between McCarthy and Blake Corum, resulting in a fumble and a critical turnover. MSU would take over possession, get another Kenneth Walker III TD and hold on for the 37-33 victory. 

The decision was extra puzzling considering McCarthy narrowly avoided disaster on Michigan's last drive. After keeping on a read-option, the freshman fumbled the ball as he went to the ground. Luckily for him, that ball rolled out of bounds. Unfortunately, he was not so lucky on the next drive.

On top of that, McNamara played his best game in a Michigan uniform. He finished with career-highs in completions (28) and passing yards (383) while tying his season-high in TD passes. 

"That exchange didn't go smoothly," said Harbaugh after the game.

Michigan will have to win the remainder of their games and put their hopes on MSU stumbling down the stretch if they want any chance of winning the Big Ten East, the Big Ten Championship or making the College Football Playoffs.

Up Next

Michigan State at Purdue, Saturday, November 6, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.Michigan vs. Indiana, Saturday, November 6, Michigan Sta