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) /

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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 20: Le’Veon Bell #24 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a short gain as Brennen Beyer #97 of the Michigan Wolverines makes the stop during the first half of the game at Michigan Stadium on October 20, 2012 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

6. Field goal decides rivalry game vs. Michigan (2012)

You could probably put any loss to Michigan on here as a disappointing one, but this one had to take the cake.

It was another one of those ‘down years’ for Michigan State under Mark Dantonio, heading into this rivalry game with the Wolverines with a 4-3 record and the hope that a win would turn things around with four games to play. Like the Iowa game three years before, this eighth game of the season would be decided in the last second, dropping Michigan State to 4-4.

This game came after an ugly two-overtime loss against Iowa in rain-soaked East Lansing, so you know Dantonio desperately wanted a bounce-back.

Unfortunately, the Wolverines were able to win one of the ugliest games of the college football season with just one combined touchdown between the two teams — a 2-yard pass from Andrew Maxwell to Paul Lang in the second quarter.

Michigan State led 10-9 but Michigan was able to get into field goal position with seconds remaining where Brendan Gibbons nailed a 38-yarder to win.

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