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

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) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 05: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up prior to the start of the game against the Montana State Bobcats on September 5, 2009 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 05: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up prior to the start of the game against the Montana State Bobcats on September 5, 2009 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

7. Last-second heartbreak vs. Iowa (2009)

Another season that didn’t quite go the Spartans’ way, 2009 had two tough losses, but let’s touch on the defeat against Iowa first.

The Hawkeyes came into East Lansing with a 7-0 record and ranked No. 6 in the country. Michigan State, on the other hand, was just 4-3 and trying to hang on for a bowl berth to make it three in a row under Mark Dantonio — at the time, that was impressive.

A win over Iowa would have been huge for the program and the season, putting the Spartans just one game out of a postseason berth.

It looked like Michigan State was going to pull off that upset and turn the season around with just four games to play, but Ricky Stanzi — a name many Spartan fans want to forget — hit Marvin McNutt in the end zone with no time left to steal a 15-13 win.

All the Spartans had to do was hold on for one more defensive stop, but a crossing route to McNutt was just perfectly executed and the Hawkeyes walked off with a win in primetime.

Let’s just say it was a long drive home for Spartan fans who were emotionally shot.