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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 /
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Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Keith Mumphery (25) catches a touchdown pass while defended by Baylor Bears cornerback Ryan Reid (9) in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Michigan State beat Baylor 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Keith Mumphery (25) catches a touchdown pass while defended by Baylor Bears cornerback Ryan Reid (9) in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Michigan State beat Baylor 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

3. MSU vs. Baylor (2015)

Closing out the 2014 season, Michigan State took comfort with the fact that the only two teams it had fallen to in the regular season were playing for the national title. The Spartans lost to Oregon on the road in the beginning of the year as well as to the Ohio State Buckeyes at home, 49-37, later in the season.

Both of those teams squared off in the first-ever College Football Playoff title game. Ohio State ended up winning and making MSU feel just slightly better about losing a game it believed it should have won in East Lansing.

Baylor was on tap in the Cotton Bowl, though.

One of the best offenses in the country was set to face off against an elite defense which had taken a slight step back when it came to its ‘No Fly Zone’ distinction.

Michigan State looked to have a bit of a New Year’s Day hangover, coming out sluggish and trailing 41-21 heading into the fourth quarter. Cook and the offense engineered a huge comeback, scoring 14 points fairly quickly and the Spartans trailed 41-35 with just over a minute left.

Baylor lined up for a field goal that would have essentially ended any hopes for a miracle comeback, but a block, huge block and nice return by RJ Williamson led to the game-winning TD.

This was the best bowl game of the 2014 season.

Next: 2. Stanford (2014)

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