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5 memorable times Michigan State football captured the Paul Bunyan Trophy since 2000

By Jacob Babbitt

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: AJ Arcuri #76 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with the Paul Bunyan trophy with Sparty the Michigan State Spartans mascot after defeating Michigan Wolverines 37-33 at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: AJ Arcuri #76 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with the Paul Bunyan trophy with Sparty the Michigan State Spartans mascot after defeating Michigan Wolverines 37-33 at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Larry Caper #22 of the Michigan State Spartans runs with the football during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 24, 2011 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Chippewas 45-7. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Larry Caper #22 of the Michigan State Spartans runs with the football during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 24, 2011 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Chippewas 45-7. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images) /

2009: Larry Caper’s overtime walk-off touchdown

This game might not come to mind for many people at first, but it sure had it’s share of drama. Michigan State found themselves up 20-6 in the fourth quarter, but Michigan fought back late to score two touchdowns in the last four minutes of the game.

This included the game-tying score with two seconds remaining to force overtime.

Freshman Larry Caper found the endzone from 23 yards out to give MSU back-to-back wins against Michigan for the first time in 42 years. It was early on in the Mark Dantonio era and he would continue to have that type of success against the Wolverines throughout his tenure.

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