Michigan State football: Ken Talley says Spartans are winning Paul Bunyan back

Michigan State football defensive lineman Ken Talley made an eye-opening vow on Saturday. He says the Spartans will bring Paul Bunyan back.

Vibes were soaring on Saturday night following the last-second Michigan State football win over Maryland.

While the Terrapins aren’t exactly Georgia or Ohio State, they presented a tough test for the Spartans and kicked off the Week 2 game as 10-point favorites. They are expecting to push for a spot in the top half of the Big Ten standings this year. Maryland is no pushover.

And yet Michigan State marched into College Park and escaped with a win.

Everyone counted Michigan State out, especially when it was 24-17 late in the game with Maryland attempting a field goal that would stretch the lead to 10 with under five minutes left. The Terrapins missed that field goal try and Aidan Chiles threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to Nick Marsh on the very next play to tie the game up. A defensive stand on the ensuing drive followed by a Jonathan Kim field goal with one second remaining sent the Spartans home happy.

It also feels like the confidence is back within the program. After a couple of years of beatdowns and disappointments, it felt like it would take years to rebuild the confidence inside the Michigan State football building. Turns out, all it takes is one big road win.

Shortly after the win in College Park, Ken Talley took to Twitter (or X) to tell fans that Michigan State will be bringing Paul Bunyan back.

1 week at a time but FYI we bringing Paul back💯 #GOGREEN

— KEN “🃏” TALLEY (@KenTalley22) September 8, 2024

The Paul Bunyan Trophy is famously secured by the winner of the Michigan vs. Michigan State football game and Talley is claiming that the Spartans will be returning that coveted trophy to East Lansing.

I love rivalry banter, and this is just a perfect mindset following a confidence-building road win.

While I don’t expect Michigan State to beat Michigan, watching the Wolverines struggle at home on Saturday definitely boosts the hope.