Michigan State’s win over Michigan on Saturday night made a lot of Spartans very happy. But one, in particular, stood out because he spent years being the reason Michigan State experienced happiness in the rivalry.
Mark Dantonio was quick to post to social media following the win, celebrating a huge upset win for the Spartans over the Wolverines.
And he shared one of the most famous quotes from the rivalry over the past 20 years.
Walk THOSE Streets!
— Mark Dantonio (@DantonioMark) November 8, 2026
Go Green!!!
”Walk those streets” is part of a famous Mark Dantonio quote that Kirk Cousins recently stirred up where he said that the winner of this game will always walk the streets in the state and the loser will walk the alleys. Basically, the message was don’t be the loser.
Now Dantonio is applauding the 2026 Spartans for beating 5-3 Michigan on its own turf as a double-digit underdog.
The Spartans may be just 3-6 after the win and unlikely to be playing in a bowl game but they can now walk the streets of the state with bragging rights and the Wolverines must wander the alleys. For the first time in five years, Dantonio can utter this phrase for the good guys.
The drought is finally over and Pat Fitzgerald has won his first battle for Paul Bunyan. And now the new head coach and his team can walk the streets.
This felt like a Mark Dantonio era game
All the vibes on Saturday were very Dantonio-esque.
Michigan State entered as underdogs, no one gave them a chance, and the Spartans relied on defense to win them the Paul Bunyan Trophy. This game had 2017 Michigan vs. Michigan State written all over it with very little offense and a really gritty defensive effort.
The tougher team always won during the Dantonio era and the tougher team won on Saturday night thanks to the attitude that’s been restored under Fitzgerald.
A cold, sloppy, hard-hitting game where the better coach won? The Dantonio era is living on through Fitzgerald and that’s exciting to say.
Yes, everything is coming off as an overreaction but people don’t realize just how big this win was for the program. It’s only going to help the culture — and recruiting.
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