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Michigan State Football: 5 most memorable moments of 2017 season

By Connor Muldowney

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Mark Dantonio looks on after defeating the Washington State Cougars 42-17 in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Mark Dantonio looks on after defeating the Washington State Cougars 42-17 in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Matt Sokol #81 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 27-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions next to head coach Mark Dantonio at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Matt Sokol #81 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 27-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions next to head coach Mark Dantonio at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Matt Coghlin game-winning field goal against Penn State

There’s no way Michigan State can take down No. 7 Penn State in East Lansing. That was the common perception of the Michigan State matchup with the Nittany Lions back in early November, but the Spartans laugh at your doubts.

Michigan State entered the home game as a 10-point underdog and fell behind 14-7 early on. Before halftime could even hit, the rain started coming down in droves. The Spartans and Nittany Lions were forced into their respective locker rooms to wait out a 3.5-hour delay.

When both teams came back out on the field, it was clear one was ready to play and the other wasn’t. Michigan State came out with more intensity and will to win while the Nittany Lions found themselves on the wrong end of an upset alert.

The game was tied heading into the final seconds with a 34-yard field goal try by freshman kicker Matt Coghlin approaching. With ice water in his veins, Coghlin stepped up and drilled it as he celebrated in Michael Geiger style with a slip-and-slide performance.

This was when Michigan State fans knew the 2017 team was special.

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