Michigan State Football: 10 most memorable plays of Mark Dantonio era
3. ‘Little Giants’ against Notre Dame
Dan Conroy lined up for what was supposed to be a 46-yard field goal attempt against Notre Dame in the 2010 matchup between the two rivals at Spartan Stadium. The game had been close throughout and it seemed like the All-American kicker would rise to the occasion and knock it down in the first overtime, down 31-28.
Every fan in Spartan Nation was holding their breath, hoping that the lack of yardage gained in the OT wouldn’t come back to bit this team, causing an early-season loss for MSU against a rival in which it wanted nothing more than to embarrass.
Well, embarrass MSU did.
Lining up for the long boot, Conroy was set to kick a huge game-tying field goal with millions of eyes on him. The ball was snapped, Aaron Bates, the holder, stood up and found a streaking tight end, Charlie Gantt, for a 29-yard touchdown pass to win the game.
It was quite possibly the gutsiest call of the season and Mark Dantonio really earned some respect from casual viewers from around the nation. What other coach would attempt a fake about 30 yards from pay dirt to go for the win instead of a tie — especially with a punter throwing the pass?
Bates happened to be a former high school gunslinger, so the pass was fairly accurate to the wide open Gantt who just had to dash 30 yards untouched into the end zone for a play which was later dubbed “Little Giants” by Dantonio.
Next: 2. Kirk Cousins' Hail Mary