Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: 10 most painful losses of Mark Dantonio era

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 21: Darqueze Dennard #31 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass intended for DeVarius Daniels #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 21, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 17-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 21: Darqueze Dennard #31 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass intended for DeVarius Daniels #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 21, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 17-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 11
Next

Mark Dantonio has been fairly consistent in his time with Michigan State football, but there have been some gut-wrenching losses.

We always talk about the good times of the Mark Dantonio era in East Lansing, but there have been some painful moments as well.

The most memorable wins include the Rose Bowl over Stanford, Outback Bowl over Georgia, Cotton Bowl over Baylor, Ohio State a couple of times, Michigan eight times and even the likes of TCU, Oregon and Boise State. But with every big win comes a painful loss.

Which losses have been the most gut-wrenching under Dantonio?

Honorable Mention

Ohio State (2014)

This was one of those games that Michigan State was actually favored in over the Buckeyes and the two 7-1 Big Ten East contenders were basically fighting for a trip to Indianapolis. The Buckeyes came into East Lansing and stole a win 49-37 thanks to a big second quarter, smashing Michigan State’s playoff and conference title hopes.

Ohio State (2016)

Yes, Ohio State yet again. The Spartans and Buckeyes have had quite a few good battles, but this one was a little different. There was actually nothing on the line for Michigan State here except pride and bragging rights because the Spartans were in the midst of a nightmare 3-9 season and had already been ruled ineligible for postseason play with more than six losses. They still gave the Buckeyes a strong fight and scored what looked to be the game-tying touchdown in the final minutes, but Mark Dantonio went for two and the win and came up just short.

Ohio State (2018)

Noticing a theme here? Losing to Ohio State in 2018 was rough, especially because Michigan State had the Buckeyes right where it wanted them. Michigan State was winning 10-7, but the offense turned the ball over two times deep into their own territory and surrendered a safety, turning the game on its head in minutes. This went from a nice win thanks to strong defense to an offensive meltdown which resulted in a blowout.

Home/Spartans Football