Michigan State Football: Top 10 games of the Mark Dantonio Era

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Keith Mumphery (25) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against Baylor Bears cornerback Ryan Reid (9) in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

3. Baylor (2015 Cotton Bowl)

The 2015 Cotton Bowl might actually be one of the greatest bowl comebacks of all time, but can you believe it’s just No. 3 on our list? That must make the No. 2 and No. 1 games all the more intriguing, but that just goes to show how many incredible contests we have gotten to witness in the Dantonio Era.

The first quarter of this game played out as many expected it to: high scoring and relatively even. Baylor was considered the biggest snub from the College Football Playoff, but the Spartans were far from intimidated by the Big 12 foe.

However, a poor couple of quarters led to a 41-21 deficit heading into the fourth and Michigan State had 15 minutes to salvage some dignity and move on or just continue to pitfall into an ever-increasing blowout.

Michigan State decided to make the Bears sweat a bit. It took a LaQuan McGowan ‘fat guy’ touchdown to end the third quarter to really awaken the beast that had been Michigan State’s offense all year long. When the 300-pound tight end crossed the goal-line, the Spartans made it their mission to shock the country.

It was all but over heading into the fourth as the Spartans’ D couldn’t stop Bryce Petty and Co., but Dantonio’s resilient squad had other ideas. Michigan State put together a 21-0 run in the fourth to win 42-41.

Every huge win has a signature moment. For this one? Had to be the blocked field goal in which Tony Lippett laid out Baylor’s kicker who tried to make a tackle on RJ Williamson, the Spartan who scooped up the ball on the block and returned it inside the Bears’ territory.

Connor Cook tossed the game-winning 10-yard touchdown pass to Keith Mumphery as the Spartans pulled off the unthinkable comeback.

Next: 2. Michigan (2015)