Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: Mark Dantonio’s 15 most memorable games

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 15
Next
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

To celebrate the two-week mark until Michigan State Football kicks off in 2016, we take a look at Mark Dantonio’s 15 most memorable games.

There are only two weeks left until the start of Michigan State Football. Mark Dantonio and the Spartans have developed the ‘Back 2 Back’ mantra and there’s reason to believe this team is the head coach’s most talented.

Gone are all-time leading passer Connor Cook, All-American defensive end Shilique Calhoun, first-round talent Jack Conklin and Big Ten Receiver of the Year Aaron Burbridge. Also departed are Jack Allen, Lawrence Thomas, Joel Heath, Darien Harris, RJ Williamson and Arjen Colquhoun.

Returning stars like LJ Scott, R.J. Shelton, Tyler O’Connor, Montae Nicholson, Malik McDowell, Riley Bullough, Vayante Copeland and Demetrious Cox could carry this team to another conference title in 2016.

No one is giving Michigan State a chance to even contend for a Big Ten title, but that’s just the way these guys like it. The chip on the shoulder keeps growing and a memorable season could be ahead.

To celebrate the two-week mark until the season starts, we ranked the top 15 most memorable games of the Mark Dantonio era.

15. Oregon vs. MSU (2015)

Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Rj Williamson (26) celebrates goal line stand against the Oregon Ducks during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Rj Williamson (26) celebrates goal line stand against the Oregon Ducks during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

This isn’t exactly a season-changer or a crucial game, but taking on the Oregon Ducks in East Lansing last season happened to be a measuring stick moment for Dantonio. Could the head coach take down another top-tier program and build on his already impressive legacy?

Michigan State drew record attendance numbers and the primetime matchup in the second game of the year caught the attention of college football. The game was considered the best non-conference contest of the season and it lived up to the hype as it went down to the wire.

The Spartans had a comfortable 31-21 lead with about 10 minutes to play following true freshman LJ Scott’s second career touchdown run, but the Ducks wouldn’t go away.

Scoring a touchdown with about three minutes left, Oregon had to make some defensive stops to get the ball back. They did just that and had a chance to get into field goal position, but a huge sack by Chris Frey forced a long fourth down and eventual incompletion to essentially put the game away.

This game had to make the list because of how raucous and intense the crowd was. Definitely one of the most memorable games in recent Spartan Stadium history.

Next: 14. Northwestern (2010)

Home/Spartans Football