‘Sparty’ statue at Michigan State vandalized with paint

East Lansing — There may be some confusion about what football team the University of Michigan is playing this weekend.

WLNS-TV and WWJ-AM report Michigan State University’s “Sparty” statue was vandalized with paint late Thursday or early Friday.

The figure was marked with blue and yellow paint and the letter “M’’ was painted on the statue’s chest along with Greek letters. The University of Michigan’s colors are maize and blue, and from time to time vandals target the statue — more often around when Michigan plays Michigan State.

The vandalism took place before No. 5 Michigan State hosts No. 7 Oregon on Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. The same day in Ann Arbor, Jim Harbaugh makes his home debut as Michigan’s coach when the unranked Wolverines host Oregon State.