Nov. 3, 2007

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Coach Dantonio Press Conference
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EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan quarterback Chad Henne's 31-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham with 2:28 left lifted No. 15 Michigan to a 28-24 win over Michigan State on Saturday.

The Spartans, who overcame an 11-point deficit at halftime to lead by 10 midway through the final quarter, drove to the Wolverines 34 on the final drive before turning the ball over on downs.

"This hurts the most because I felt like we had it," running back Javon Ringer said. "We're not here for moral victories."

Michigan (8-2, 6-0) has won eight straight since opening the season with a stunning loss to Appalachian State and a rout by Oregon.

Michigan State (5-5, 1-5) has lost five of six after starting the season strong under first-year coach Mark Dantonio.

Henne tied a school record with four touchdowns, the last two after the Spartans stormed ahead to take a 24-14 lead. He was 18-of-33 for 211 yards with four scores and one interception after missing the previous game with a shoulder injury.

Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick combined for 200-plus yards rushing and three scores, but their efforts went against a trend in the 100th matchup of the rivals separated by about 60 miles.

For just the third time in 38 games, the team that ran for fewer yards won the game.

Hart, who returned but seemed limited by an ankle injury, ran for 110 yards on 15 carries. The Wolverines netted 100 yards rushing.

Michigan has beaten the Spartans six straight times for the first time since the 1970s.

Brian Hoyer missed wide-open receivers early in the game, wasting Michigan State's opportunities to score TDs early in the game. He finished 19 of 35 for 161 yards with one TD and an interception.

Ringer ran for 128 yards and Caulcrick had 84 yards rushing and two scores.

The Wolverines had a scare midway through the fourth quarter when Henne appeared to turn his right ankle, stepping on a teammate's foot, but he only missed one play.

Freshman Ryan Mallett fumbled after his only snap, but Hart helped him out by scooping up the football and running for a first down. Henne ended that drive with a perfectly lofted pass to Greg Matthews to pull Michigan within three points just 48 seconds after the Spartans scored.

Henne drove the Wolverines down the field on their next possession and on third-and-11 connected with a leaping Manningham for the game-winning score.

Michigan had three sacks and Michigan State had two, but both quarterbacks were knocked down many more times than that.

The Wolverines seemed to be in control in the first half as they led 14-3 -- a score that seemed closer than the game appeared to be -- but they missed Hart's constant presence while the Spartans suddenly started to run the ball effectively after halftime.

Hart was on and off the field after missing 2 1/2 games with an injury.

Michigan State ran for just 15 yards in the first half, then ran for 137 in the third quarter alone.

Caulcrick's 1-yard run in the third and Hoyer's TD pass put the Spartans ahead. Caulcrick's second score gave them a 24-14 lead with 7:40.