In the 91-season history of Spartan Stadium there have been 15 night games, with the 16th coming Saturday night as No. 10 MSU (3-1 overall) takes on No. 19 Nebraska (5-0 overall) in both team’s Big Ten conference openers.
Some of the most thrilling games in Spartan Stadium have taken place under the lights. From the “Little Giants” fake field goal to beat Notre Dame in 2010 or the “Rocket” Hail Mary throw to beat Wisconsin in 2011, Spartan fans have fond memories of night games.
Time to travel down memory lane and look at the night games in our history:
Sept. 7, 1987: MSU 27 USC 13
In the first ever game under the lights, MSU took on the powerful Trojans during Labor Day weekend. Anticipation was high on campus as USC was ranked No. 19 in the country. MSU would go on to defeat USC in their Rose Bowl matchup later that season.
Sept. 9, 1998: MSU 45 Notre Dame 23
MSU hosted the heavily favored and nationally ranked Irish, but a 42-3 halftime lead was too much for Notre Dame to come back from as the Spartans held on for the big win.
Sept. 2, 1999: MSU 27 Oregon 20
The Spartans versus the Ducks was not a new matchup when the two played in Eugene, Ore. earlier this season. MSU beat Oregon under the lights just before the turn of the century.
Oct. 26, 2002: Wisconsin 42 MSU 24
The Spartan’s first night game loss came to longtime Big Ten rival Wisconsin. Wisconsin ran all over the Spartans and controlled the game early, cruising to a win.
Sept. 18, 2004 Notre Dame 31 MSU 24
Notre Dame is the team MSU has faced under the lights the most, with varying degrees of success. Despite the close score in this game, MSU was never really in it. They needed a garbage time touchdown to keep the score within a touchdown.
Sept. 23, 2006 Notre Dame 40 MSU 37
Another game and another loss to Notre Dame for MSU. This was a close contest that saw the Brady Quinn-led Irish go on a furious fourth quarter comeback to beat the Spartans at home. This one hurt Spartan fans for a while.
Oct. 13 2007 MSU 52 Indiana 27
A high-powered Spartan offense led by Brian Hoyer and Javon Ringer put up just shy of 600 yards on offense as MSU rolled the Hoosiers to improve to 5-2 on the young season. This is by far the most lopsided night game in Spartan Stadium history.
Oct. 24 2009 Iowa 15 MSU 13
Iowa was ranked No. 7 in the country when they came to East Lansing, and despite getting all they could handle from the Spartans, Iowa won out in the end. An ugly game of mostly field goals ended with a late touchdown.
Sept. 28, 2010 MSU 34 Notre Dame 31
All you need to say to Spartan fans is two words and they’ll remember this one: “Little Giants.” This trick play saw holder Aaron Bates throw a touchdown pass to the tight end on a fake field goal in overtime to beat the Irish.
Sept. 2, 2011 MSU 28 Youngstown State 6
This began a tradition that still continues today of MSU beginning their season on the Friday of Labor Day weekend, under the lights. In this game MSU was coming off a successful season that saw them ranked No. 17 in the nation. They didn’t take care of YSU the way many thought they should, but they still got the win.
Oct. 22, 2011 MSU 37 Wisconsin 31
This was the first time two night games were played in one season at Spartan Stadium, and did this one live up to the hype! A final second heave to the end zone by Kirk Cousins was tipped and pulled down by Keith Nichol for the touchdown. Many a Spartan prayer was answered that night.
Aug. 31, 2012 MSU 17 Boise State 13
In a huge game against two nationally ranked opponents, MSU rode on the coattails of Le’Veon Bell and gutted out a win against the Broncos.
Sept. 15, 2012 Notre Dame 20 MSU 10
Spartan fans remember this season as being one of offensive inefficiency and wasted defensive efforts. This game was, unfortunately, a perfect example of the Spartan’s season.
Aug. 30 2013 MSU 26 Western Michigan 13
The tradition of opening up the season with a night game continued as the legendary defense of 2013 was on display with turnovers and defensive touchdowns.
Aug. 29 2014 MSU 45 Jacksonville State 7
The Spartans opened the defense of their Rose Bowl title by beating up on FCS Jacksonville State. You might remember this one — it was a month ago.
MSU is 10-5 all time in Spartan Stadium night games with head coach Mark Dantonio holding a 7-2 record in those games.
