Rutgers 38–27, a game that ended the Spartans' 19–game win streak in home openers and Rutgers' 21-game Big Ten losing streak dating back to 2017. Despite Michigan being 21.5 point favorites and ESPN's Football Power Index giving Michigan State just a 6.6% chance at winning, the Spartans beat the Wolverines 27–24 to reclaim the Paul Bunyan Trophy. This win also made Mel Tucker the first Michigan State head coach to beat Michigan in his first season since Nick Saban in 1995, as well as only the third head coach of either program to win his first game in the rivalry as head coach in the past 75 years (the others being Saban and Bennie Oosterbaan). 2021: Undefeated top ten matchup The October 30, 2021 matchup saw both schools ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 1964. Michigan was ranked at No. 6 in both the AP and Coaches poll, while Michigan State was ranked at No. 8 in the AP and No. 7 in the Coaches poll. This game was also unique in that both schools were 7–0 or better for the first time in history. After being down by a score of 23-14 at halftime, the Spartans outscored Michigan 23-10 in the second half to pull out the 37-33 victory. Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III ran for 197 yards and 5 touchdowns, becoming the player with the most rushing touchdowns in a single game against the Wolverines. The win also marked an MSU record with Mel Tucker becoming the first head coach to beat the Wolverines twice in his first two seasons. 2022: Melee in the tunnel After a Michigan victory, an incident broke out in the Michigan Stadium tunnel. Michigan defensive backs Gemon Green and JaDen McBurrows entered the tunnel, taunting the Michigan State players exiting the field. Several Michigan State players allegedly struck Green and McBurrows. Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press reported that he saw Michigan State players punching, shoving and kicking McBurrows. McBurrows reportedly sustained a nose injury. Green was struck by a helmet swung by a Michigan State player and reportedly sustained a concussion and facial cuts, yet still played in the next week’s game at Rutgers. Michigan State suspended eight players. On November 23, criminal charges were filed against seven of the suspended players, the majority of which were later dropped. On November 28, the Big Ten