No Michigan football first-year head coach had beaten its in-state rival, MSU, in the first try since 1948. But head coach Sherrone Moore found a way, even when going into the game it felt dire, and it felt even more so early in the game.

Rival Michigan State isn’t exactly dominating teams, but it has been climbing in recent weeks, and both teams entered Saturday’s Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy at 4-3. At the outset of the game, MSU appeared to be dominant, moving the ball with ease ...