A fumbled snap and a miracle return defined the 2015 Michigan State Spartans season
In short: The 2015 Michigan State Spartans football team achieved one of the most successful seasons in school history, finishing 12-2 and reaching the College Football Playoff. Their campaign was defined by dramatic, last-second victories, including a legendary, improbable touchdown return against rival Michigan that remains etched in college football lore.
Led by ninth-year head coach Mark Dantonio, the 2015 Spartans navigated a rigorous schedule to secure a share of the Big Ten East Division title. Their path to the College Football Playoff was marked by resilience, particularly in a high-stakes road victory over Ohio State where backup quarterbacks Damion Terry and Tyler O'Connor stepped in to secure a 17-14 win via a Michael Geiger field goal as time expired.
The season's defining moment occurred in Ann Arbor against Michigan. Trailing 23-21 with only ten seconds remaining, the Spartans capitalized on a botched punt snap by Wolverine punter Blake O'Neill. Jalen Watts-Jackson recovered the loose ball and returned it 38 yards for a game-winning touchdown. This 27-23 victory not only kept the Spartans' playoff aspirations alive but also marked Dantonio's 100th career coaching win. The play was so physically taxing that Watts-Jackson required season-ending surgery for a hip injury sustained during his sprint to the end zone.
Despite their regular-season success, the Spartans faced significant adversity, including a controversial 39-38 loss to Nebraska where a touchdown was awarded after a receiver re-entered the field of play. The team ultimately finished the season ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings. Their journey concluded in the Cotton Bowl Classic, where they were defeated 38-0 by the eventual national champion, Alabama. Nevertheless, the 2015 squad secured the program's fifth 11-win season in just six years, cementing its status as a powerhouse in the Big Ten conference.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2015 Michigan State Spartans football team
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