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Michigan State Football: Top 5 moments vs. Notre Dame in Mark Dantonio era

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 15: Le'Veon Bell #24 of the Michigan State Spartans takes a first quarter pitch while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Spartan Stadium Stadium on September 15, 2012 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 15: Le'Veon Bell #24 of the Michigan State Spartans takes a first quarter pitch while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Spartan Stadium Stadium on September 15, 2012 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 14: Gerald Holmes #24 of the Michigan State Spartans gets a hug from Donavon Clark #76 after rushing for a three-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium on November 14, 2015 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Maryland 24-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 14: Gerald Holmes #24 of the Michigan State Spartans gets a hug from Donavon Clark #76 after rushing for a three-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium on November 14, 2015 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Maryland 24-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Gerald Holmes’ game-clinching run (2016)

Just last year, Michigan State had one of its most memorable games in the series under Dantonio’s reign. Heck, it was more memorable than most of the games in the 2000s because of how hot of a start the Spartans got off to, but one play, or moment, in particular stood out.

That was the 73-yard run by Gerald Holmes late in the third quarter. With Michigan State leading 29-7, Holmes took a handoff up the middle and took it 73 yards to the house. The best part about the run? He was untouched through the middle of the line.

This put Michigan State up 36-7 and truly sealed the deal on the victory even though the Spartans would allow Notre Dame to get back into the game with three more scores, making the final score 36-28. It was a big early win for the Spartans who then jumped into the top 10 the following week before losing for a couple months straight.

Holmes’ huge run provided some excitement, even if it was short-lived. The Spartans currently possess the Megaphone Trophy because of that long run.

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