CFB: The Big Ten's Bodacious Ending
Power Five's Most Powerful Moments - The Big Ten's Bodacious Ending:
"Woah he has trouble with the snap ... and the ball is free! It's picked up by Michigan State's Jalen Watts-Jackson and he scores! On the last play of the game! Unbelievable," said the great broadcaster Sean McDonough. It was unbelievable. Two in-state rivals clashing in a battle at the biggest stadium in county, ranked No. 7 and No. 12. Michigan led the game the whole way until there were three zeros on the clock. It started out how you would want it to be. A crisp, beautiful fall day, with slight sun showings and snow flurries. 3:30 was the time slot for kick-off of the two foes.
The game seemingly went back and forth until Michigan grabbed a two possession lead heading into the fourth quarter. After MSU scored to make it 23-21, all there was left to do was stop the Spartans. And Michigan did just that, forcing a turnover on downs with under two minutes left and only one timeout left for the Spartans. Michigan attempted to get the first down where they were unsuccessful. Then, with just 10 seconds on the clock, Michigan lined up to punt on 4th & 2, with the Spartans sending all 11 at the ball. Michigan's punter, Blake O'Neil, who had been superb to that point, dropped the ball off the snap.
He unintentionally flipped in the air to Watts-Jackson, where he would fall into the end zone giving the Spartans the win. The Big Ten is a conference rich with unbelievable moments. A couple honorable mentions would start with Michigan's returned punt against arch rival Ohio State, when Desmond Howard struck the Heisman pose. And the other would be Michigan State's hail mary defeating the Russel Wilson-led Badgers in 2011. The Big Ten has cemented themselves as one of the greatest conferences in the country and it has been an incredible ride to this point.
Photo Credit: Michigan State.
