When Oregon visits Spartan Stadium on Saturday for an under the lights showdown as the marquee game of the week, it will arguably be one of the most pivotal games played at Spartan Stadium and throughout Spartan football history. Having opened its doors in 1923, Spartan Stadium has seen many football games that have ended in glory, euphoria and heartbreak. Here is a top five list of games that have come to Spartan Stadium thus far.
Top five games in Spartan Stadium history
Then-sophomore wide receiver R.J. Shelton runs the ball down the field Jan. 1, 2015, during the Cotton Bowl Classic football game against Baylor at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Spartans defeated the Bears and claimed the Cotton Bowl Victory, 42-41. Erin Hampton/The State News
—5: No. 15 Michigan State 37, No. 4 Wisconsin 31; Oct. 22, 2011
With ESPN’s College GameDay in town, the Spartans put on a thriller. As time expired former Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins’ Hail Mary pass was answered by former wide receiver Keith Nichol at the goal line. The Spartans upset No. 4 Wisconsin and would go on to face the Badgers in the first Big Ten Championship Game.
4: No. 14 Ohio State 49, No. 8 Michigan State 37; Nov. 8, 2014
Barring a loss by either team in the three weeks that followed, this was essentially the de facto Big Ten Championship Game with a chance for a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff. The Spartans led 21-14 and were driving until a holding call on third down and a missed field goal one play later, sucking the life out of the Spartans. It boosted Ohio State, who never looked back and went onto an easy win. Ohio State would go on to win the Big Ten Football Championship Game and win the College Football Playoff.
3: No. 13 Michigan State 27, No. 16 Indiana 3; Nov. 14, 1987
Spartan Stadium was packed to the brim with 76,411 fans as it played host to the 1987 de facto Big Ten Football Championship Game, during an era where there were no conference championship games. Behind Lorenzo White, who gouged Indiana’s defense for 292 yards rushing on 56 carries, and the rowdy crowd, MSU stomped Indiana, won the Big Ten, and carried the momentum to a Rose Bowl victory — their first since 1965.
2: No. 4 Michigan State 14, Michigan 6; Nov. 14, 1953
MSU’s inaugural Big Ten season was made sweeter by a victory over Michigan. The Wolverines had fought to keep MSU out of the Big Ten (formerly the Big Nine), but in celebration of MSU joining the Big Ten, former Michigan governor G. Mennen Williams presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy, which would be given to the victor of the contest. MSU beat the Wolverines soundly, winning the trophy and going on to win the Big Ten and the Rose Bowl. Not too shabby for an inaugural season that established MSU as a force in the Big Ten.
1: No. 2 Michigan State 10, No. 1 Notre Dame 10; Nov. 19, 1966
Widely considered the game of the century by many, this game pitted the country’s top two undefeated teams. 700 sports writers, 33 million TV viewers, and 81,0011 fans at Spartan Stadium witnessed the Spartans and Fighting Irish duke it out to a 10-10 draw. Since the game ended undecided, both teams were crowned National Champion of 1966. 31 future NFL players took part in the game and the game was also hailed as the game that sparked America’s interest in big time sporting match ups.
What do you think of our list? Are there any games you think we missed? Comment below with your favorite games in Spartan Stadium history.
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