Michigan v. Michigan State Football: The Greatest Games

2012 – “On the left foot of Brendan Gibbons!”

Michigan State came into the game on a four-game winning streak against Michigan, but came into the game at the Big House unranked at 4-3. The Wolverines were ranked #23, their only two losses coming against #2 Alabama and #11 Notre Dame.

Neither team’s offense could get going in the first half, Michigan State missing a field goal and Michigan connecting on two to take a 6-0 lead into halftime. The Spartans finally scored the first and only touchdown of the game halfway through the third quarter as Andrew Maxwell threw a two-yard pass to Paul Lang to give Michigan State a 7-6 lead. A Michigan field goal after a Maxwell interception gave the Wolverines the lead again early in the fourth, but the Spartans responded with one of their own to take a 10-9 lead with less than six minutes left in the game.

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson struggled throughout the game, completing fewer than half of his passes and throwing an interception, but he led the Wolverines own the field, going 41 yards in eight plays to set up a 38-yard field goal attempt by Brendan Gibbons, who buried it to give the Wolverines a 12-10 lead. The Spartans’ miracle lateral attempt on the kickoff return failed and Michigan clinched the win.

The Wolverines finished the season 8-4 and ranked #19 in the AP Poll before losing to #11 South Carolina 33-28 in the Outback Bowl. Michigan State finished 6-6 before defeating Texas Christian in something called the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 17-16.