Michigan State vs Michigan: 7 most memorable plays in recent history
2. Desmond Howard drop
I’m going to be honest here, I wasn’t alive for this play, but I do know that it was one of the most crucial ones in series history. Not many of my friends were alive to see this, either, as Michigan State headed to the Big House in 1990 as big-time underdogs against Michigan — cough, just like this year, cough — and took down the No. 1-ranked team in the country.
Michigan was down 28-21 and driving with 10 seconds left in the game. The Wolverines threw a back-shoulder toss into the end zone with six seconds left to make the score 28-27. Instead of kicking an extra point to tie and head into overtime, Michigan decided it wanted to win in regulation, opting to go for two — and it failed.
It didn’t come without controversy, however, as former Heisman winner and elite wide receiver Desmond Howard looked to slip up a bit on the two-point conversion try and let the ball hit his hands before falling incomplete.
Note: If not already there, the play occurs around the 7:44 mark.
The Wolverines did end up getting the ball back on an onside kick, but a Hail Mary was intercepted inside the five-yard-line of MSU. This was one of the biggest upsets in series history and one to remember — for those who were alive, that is.
Next: 1. The Catch