The Best Of Dantonio’s First Two Seasons

3 Most Important Plays
1. Adam Decker stuffs Shonn Greene (Iowa, 2008): The only play that literally determined the outcome of a game. With 2:16 left, down 16-13, Kirk Ferentz decides to run the ball on 4th and 1 deep in MSU territory. Stuffed!
2. Ryan Allison to Kellen Davis (Penn State, 2007): Even as the Spartans refused to give up, their efforts for a comeback looked fruitless, down 24-7 in the 3rd. Hoyer hands off the ball to Devin Thomas from the PSU 25 yardline, who reverses to Ryan Allison. After narrowly avoiding pressure, Allison finds Kellen Davis at the one yard line between two Nittany Lions. The Spartans would score two plays later, beginning their 17 point comeback. Sneaky! (1:50)
3. Brian Hoyer to Mark Dell (Michigan, 2008): Despite grossly outplaying them on the field, Michigan State found itself down 21-14 to the Wolverines. With time winding down in the 3rd quarter, the Spartans look at a 3rd and 12 from midfield. Brian Hoyer avoids early pressure, rolls left, and finds Mark Dell near the Michigan 5 yard line for a 44 yard catch. A score came two plays later and they never looked back. Terrible Music Warning! (2:57)

3 Most Exciting Games
1. Northwestern, 2007: This one wasn’t supposed to be a barn-burner. MSU came into the game 4-1, NU 2-3, with the line in Vegas set at 14.5.

At no point through more than 60 minutes of play were these two teams more than 7 points from eachother. The final score was 48-41, by the way. If you look at the scoring summary, the Cats struck first, Spartans second, Cats third, and this back and forth trend continued for all 13 scores.

When it was all over, CJ Bacher had thrown for a record 520 yards on 49 passes, Michigan State had run for 287 yards on 32 carries (that’s 9 yards per), 4 punts were recorded, and two extra points missed.

Everyone had been saying the game after the first loss would prove crucial for Michigan State. Coming off a loss to Wisconsin the past week, this was a chance to burn the “SOS” tag. And for that, this game could also come in as the #4 Most Devastating Loss.
2. Wisconsin, 2007: People seem to forget all about this one. Notre Dame would be Dantonio’s first test at Michigan State, but the Wisconsin game would tell if his bunch could play at championship levels in year one.

Well, they failed the test, but put on quite a show in the progress.

This game was just littered with big plays, think Devin Thomas’ 80 yard touchdown catch, Javon Ringer weaving between traffic for 70 before being caught by Jonathan Casillas, a 64 yard touchdown pass from Tyler Donovan to Kyle Jefferson, a 56 yard run back by David Gilreath, 2 interceptions, 1 slap fight, and a whole lotta fun. That about sums it up. Spartans fall 37-34.
3. California, 2008: Jeez, way to round this up with 3 losses. But as dissapointing as it was, it’s tough to leave this one out. If a 38-31 final score doesn’t get your attention, maybe Mark Dell’s 202 receiving yards will. Or 6 (six) plays that went for atleast 42 yards.

3 Most Program-iest Wins
1. Penn State, 2007: An easy choice. The Nittany Lions were the first Top 25 team Mark Dantonio defeated at Michigan State, making the win monumental in itself. More importantly, a loss would leave bowl hopes firmly in doubt. A 17 point comeback on senior day will be remembered for years to come.
2. Wisconsin, 2008: After handling Michigan, our boys looked content and unmotivated on a gloomy day. The Iowa game was bad, but this one was the first game in quite some time where Michigan State was just flat out dominated and managed to find a way to win. Final rushing yards: Wisconsin – 281 Michigan State – 25. The final three scores came at the hands of Michigan State, however, with a 25-24 final.
3. Michigan, 2008: The Wolverines were in disarray, sitting at 2-5. The Spartans had big words from Mark Dantonio to back up from the previous game, and a “culture war” to win. That makes it big. Michigan State was coming off its first loss of more than 7 points under Dantonio, and fighting for its title hopes. That makes it a must win. As pressure built late in the game, Brian Hoyer and co. remained composed and sealed the win with big plays late.