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Michigan State Football: 5 best Dantonio era moments in Michigan rivalry

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson #20 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the football into to end zone for the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the final seconds of college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 27-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson #20 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the football into to end zone for the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the final seconds of college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 27-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football has owned the Michigan rivalry over the past decade, so what are the best moments from the Mark Dantonio era?

It’s not over. It’ll never be over.

The famous words of Mark Dantonio were muttered back after the 2007 loss to Michigan to start his Michigan State coaching career. He heard comments from Mike Hart, labeling the Spartans as Michigan’s little brothers and he had some words of his own.

That quote will forever be engrained in Spartan fans heads as the start of a new rivalry and ever since then, Michigan State has come back to life, winning eight of the past 10 matchups. There have been plenty of highlight-inducing plays that have made this rivalry great.

Take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the rivalry in the Dantonio era.

5. Justin Layne choke gesture after Eddie McDoom drop (2017)

This has to be one of the most memorable moments in the rivalry now because it has been used as a trash-talking GIF for MSU fans ever since.

Not many moments have had the same reaction as this one, following a crucial dropped pass which would have been a first down by Eddie McDoom late in the fourth quarter with Michigan driving and looking to score a game-winning touchdown.

The Spartans had just given the Wolverines the ball back after their drive fizzled out and failed to get a game-ending first down. John O’Korn had one of his rare good throws, hitting McDoom in the numbers but his receiver dropped the ball with no one near him which would have given the Wolverines a better shot at the win.

Justin Layne’s reaction to McDoom’s drop was priceless.

You can read Layne’s lips saying “Hey Doom”, following by him making the choking motion with both of his hands. A visibly frustrated McDoom just turned and dropped his head in disgust.

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