Michigan State Football: Top 30 games in school history

Sep 5, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; A Indiana Hoosiers helmet sits on the ground while the players warm up before the game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

29. MSU vs. Indiana (1987)

With a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line, the No. 13 Michigan State Spartans faced off against the No. 16 Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. The Spartans hadn’t made it to the Rose Bowl in 22 years and hadn’t won it in 32.

The Spartans came out swinging and didn’t let up against the Hoosiers who were having one of their rare solid seasons, coming into the game with a 7-2 record. The game looked to be one of the top contests of the Big Ten season, but the Spartans absolutely demolished the Hoosiers in front of the raucous home crowd.

Spartan Stadium was packed, hoping for a clincher that would send Michigan State to the Rose Bowl against USC.

Lorenzo White starred in this one, racking up a career-high 292 yards on the ground with 56 carries under his belt — a school record. His rushing total was the second-most in school history and he really wowed the crowd with his performance as the Spartans won 27-3.

One of the best parts of the big win against the Hoosiers was the fact that Indiana head coach Bill Mallory gave an intense congratulatory speech to the Spartans after the game, telling them to kick some you know what in the Rose Bowl.

Next: 28. MSU vs. Michigan (1953)