Michigan Football: Most Heartbreaking Losses

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cheerleaders perform after Michigan State Spartans touchdown during the 2nd half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

“Clockgate”

Until this season, the 2001 Michigan-Michigan State game was considered to be the most controversial in the rivalry’s history.

With 2:28 to play in the fourth quarter, No. 6 Michigan punted the ball away to the Spartans with a 24-20 lead. Wolverines punter Hayden Epstein had his shortest punt of the day (28 yards), which gave the Spartans excellent field position at the Michigan 44-yard line.

That didn’t seem to matter much because Michigan State found itself facing a fourth-and-16. Spartans quarterback Jeff Smoker threw an incompletion, but Michigan cornerback Jeremy LeSueur was called for grabbing the facemask of receiver Charles Rogers, giving the Spartans an automatic first down.

A few plays later Michigan was called for having 12 men on the field, and Michigan State walked a little further up the field still. Smoker completed a pass on fourth-and-four that set up the Spartans on the Michigan 4 with a first-and-goal.

After spiking the ball on first down, Smoker scrambled to the 2-yard line and was tackled inbounds, so the clock kept running. The Spartans hurried to the line and Smoker spiked the ball with one second remaining on the clock. However, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, his players, and event the ABC commentators thought the clock stopped a little early.

Michigan State used the final play of the game to score on a pass from Smoker to running back T. J. Duckett, and the Spartans won 26-24.

Relive it, if you dare.

Next: Toledo, 2008