Jon Falk was convinced there was no chance at a comeback.

So, as he had done just a few times before in his tenure as Michigan's football equipment manager, Falk prepared to transport the Paul Bunyan Trophy to the Michigan State locker room late in the 2004 game.

Falk made his way to the Michigan State sideline and looked for his equipment manager counterpart, Bob Knickerbocker.

After all, there were less than 7 minutes remaining and Michigan trailed its in-state rival by two touchdowns, 27-13.

Falk found Knickerbocker's assistant, prepared to give the wooden trophy that goes to the Michigan-Michigan State winner away.

"I said, 'Listen, as soon as you guys win, we'll give you Paul Bunyan so you can have it in your locker room as soon as the game's over," Falk recalls.

"Boy, you're giving up awfully early," Knickerbocker's assistant replied.

"There's 7 minutes left in the game - there's NO way we're going to be able to come back and win the game," Falk conceded. "So I'll get that trophy up there to you and it will be in your locker room with 5 minutes left."

That's when Michigan made its move.

Chad Henne connected with Braylon Edwards on a pair of dramatic touchdown passes to force overtime.

"Over there at Michigan Stadium, that sun was down and it's dark and the lights are on and things are glistening," Falk remembers. "And both teams played their hearts out, and Henne hit Edwards in the end zone to win the game and we were able stave them off at the end."

The Wolverines won 45-37 in triple overtime - one of the greatest games in the rivalry.

"It was just a great, great college football game," Falk said. "Really and truly, it's a game that you would have walked off the field and said, 'What a great college football game.'"

And as he always does afterward, Falk found Knickerbocker and shook his hand. The two equipment managers enjoy a long friendship that extends beyond the field. But on one Saturday each fall, they stand on opposite sidelines, hoping the program they represent comes out on top.

And in the nine times Falk has had to hand over the trophy since 1974, it's never easy to do, knowing Paul Bunyan will reside at Michigan State for the next 12 months.

"It's never easy - you never want to lose to Michigan State, you never want to lose, period," Falk said. "But at the same time, it's reality. I shake Bob Knickerbocker's hand and say, 'Good luck, we'll be back next year.'"

Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2554 or jeffarnold@annarbor.com