Michigan State Football: Top 30 games in school history
15. MSU vs. USC (1987)
With the first game under new head coach Larry Smith looming, the USC Trojans, a perennial Pac-10 power, opened the season with a tough road game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Waiting for the Trojans were about 78,000 rowdy Spartan fans in the first night game in Spartan Stadium history — really something that made this game more special than just any regular season contest.
Not to mention the fact that USC was outstanding against Big Ten foes and had compiled a 4-1 record all time versus Michigan State.
George Perles and the Spartans were ready for whatever the Trojans had to throw their way, winning the game 27-13 in one of the most exciting atmospheres to ever grace East Lansing. If you ask any Spartan fan who followed the team in the 1980s, they would tell you that this was one of the more anticipated games as the excitement surrounding it was immeasurable.
The Labor Day weekend contest featured some top Michigan State talent. Some of the Spartans in this game were, and still are, considered some of the best in school history. Lorenzo White rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns, Andre Rison caught five passes for 76 yards and Bobby McAllister passed for 103 yards while rushing for another 63.
Michigan State’s first night game was a major success.
Next: 13. MSU vs. Baylor (2015)