They discovered both with the return of RB Mike Hart. Injured in the Sept. 10 loss to Notre Dame, Hart returned to the starting lineup against Michigan State and ran through the Spartans defense for 218 yards and a touchdown. His presence sparked Michigan to a 34-31 overtime win that was sealed when PK Garrett Rivas hit the game-winning 35-yard field goal in overtime.

Hart gave the Wolverines offense the special quality it was missing during his two-game absence.

The defense also did credible job of slowing down Michigan State's outstanding QB Drew Stanton. While they did not stop him -- Stanton completed 20-of-30 passes for 282 yards -- they did not allow him to go wild and riddle Spartans Stadium with long passes.

The Wolverines win came in the first matchup in which they had been unranked when the Spartans were ranked since 1968. "It was a great win," Hart said. "Everyone was doubting us."

QB Chad Henne also breathed a sigh of relief after an ordinary performance in the Wolverines' 23-20 loss at Wisconsin in the Big Ten opener. Henne completed 26-of-35 passes for 256 yards with three TDs and just one interception.

However, he did have a crucial fumble late in the game that allowed Michigan State to tie the game. He was hit in the pocket as he appeared to be coming forward with his arm and lost control of the ball. The play was ruled a fumble and Michigan State DT Domata Peko picked the ball up at the Spartan 26 and rumbled 74 yards for a game-tying touchdown.

Rivas converted on his field-goal opportunity in overtime after the Spartans missed a kick. The result was a momentum-building win for the Wolverines, who will try to build on this performance against Minnesota this week.

KEEP AN EYE ON: FS Willis Barringer -- He made a huge name for himself with two interceptions and three passes defensed. Barringer also had six tackles and was a step quicker than most of the Spartan receivers and seemed to know where Drew Stanton was going to throw the ball an instant before the quarterback released the ball.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "When Michigan State is ranked ahead of you and you're Michigan, it's not good. That's pressure in itself. We were 2-2. That's pressure within itself. We don't ever lose three games a year. If we lost three, what would that make us look like? We knew it was a must-win." -- RB Mike Hart on Michigan's motivation for its annual rivalry game with Michigan State.

QB Chad Henne has struggled a bit this season after a stellar freshman season. The return of Mike Hart makes life easier for him and Henne threw very well in completing 26-of-35 passes against the Spartans.

WR Jason Avant was a receiving machine for the Wolverines, catching 10 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He has good hands and runs his pass patterns quite well.

WR Mario Manningham may be a freshman, but he has the moves of a polished veteran. He made a stellar inside move in the first quarter that undressed Michigan State CB Jaren Hayes and resulted in a 43-yard touchdown.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: The Wolverines were explosive in the first half, but Michigan State adjusted well at halftime and allowed just 10 points the rest of the way. The Wolverines would like to put 60 solid minutes together against Minnesota this week.

WR Antonio Bass has breakaway speed and he needs to get his hands on the ball. The Wolverines lined him up at quarterback in the first period and he ran nine yards deep in Spartans territory after taking a direct snap. That was the only time he touched the ball all game. The Michigan coaching staff can't allow that to happen again this season.

ROSTER REPORT: Mike Hart returned from his left hip injury to start vs. Michigan State. ... WR Steve Breaston (shoulder) could not play.