Spartan Avenue
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 25: T.J. Harrell #31 of the Michigan State Spartans and teammate Shilique Calhoun #89 of the rush quarterback Devin Gardner #98 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 25 , 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 25: T.J. Harrell #31 of the Michigan State Spartans and teammate Shilique Calhoun #89 of the rush quarterback Devin Gardner #98 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 25 , 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. The -48 Game (2013)

What more can be said about this gem of a game? The Spartans went into this one with another major chip on their shoulders. Michigan was ranked one spot higher in the polls and Michigan fans felt as if the Wolverines were back and this game would prove it.

The Michigan State defense laughed at that notion.

Not only was this one of the most dominant defensive performances in Michigan State history, but it had to be one of the most notable games from a defense all time in college football.

Devin Gardner had a nightmarish performance and he was probably seeing Michigan State defenders blitzing him in his sleep for weeks — he may still have some nightmares from this game.

Michigan was limited to negative rushing yards (-48, to be exact) and it was sent back home to Ann Arbor with its tail between its legs. Michigan State fans call this either “The -48 Game” or “The Beatdown” but both account for the same thing — the most memorable complete game in the Mark Dantonio era.

Home/Spartans Football