Michigan State Football: Mark Dantonio’s 15 most memorable games
9. Notre Dame vs. MSU (2010)
This may have been the start of Dantonio’s magic act as head coach of Michigan State. The gutsiness Dantonio displayed in the overtime win against Notre Dame back in 2010 was unbelievable and a sight many Spartan fans had never seen before from a head coach.
Back-and-forth went the first three quarters of the game as the Spartans and Brian Kelly’s Fighting Irish headed into the fourth quarter all locked up at 21. In a seesaw game such as this, it wasn’t that much of a shock to see it head into overtime as each team exchanged a touchdown in the final 15 minutes.
Notre Dame kicked a field goal following their possession to start the first overtime and Michigan State looked to end it with a Kirk Cousins-led touchdown. However, the Irish pushed the Spartans back four yards over three plays and Michigan State faced a 4th-and-14 from the 29-yard-line.
It was do-or-die for All-Big Ten kicker Dan Conroy who was facing a 46-yarder, which would have been the second-longest in his career. Game on the line, Dantonio made the call of the year.
Down by three with the game on the line? Nothing a fake field goal pass from punter Aaron Bates to tight end Charlie Gantt can’t fix.
Next: 8. Wisconsin (2011)