$Michigan State Football\'s Top 10 Plays of 2014$

Michigan State Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

By brookshooley

Michigan State Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

Michigan State Spartans Football — Michigan State had a stellar 2014 campaign. The Spartans posted an 11-2 record capped off by a fantastic Cotton Bowl victory over Baylor. Their two losses were to the two teams that competed for the National Championship -- Ohio State and Oregon. There were plenty of great individual performances put forth by the Spartans last season, and here are the best of them.

10. R.J. Shelton's Kick Return Touchdown vs. Penn State

RJ Shelton michigan state spartans

10. R.J. Shelton's Kick Return Touchdown vs. Penn State

RJ Shelton michigan state spartans — Michigan State visited a raucous Beaver Stadium in the last week of the regular season and made quick work of the Nittany Lions. Wide receiver R.J. Shelton fielded a Sam Ficken squib kick and broke a few tackles before breaking free 90 yards to the end zone. This took the crowd out of the game early as Michigan State spoiled Penn State’s senior day, 34-10.

9. Tony Lippett's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Nebraska

Tony Lippett michigan state spartans

9. Tony Lippett's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Nebraska

Tony Lippett michigan state spartans — The Spartan offense started the game against Nebraska with a Connor Cook interception and a three and out. The third time was a charm, as Cook found wide receiver Tony Lippett for a 55-yard touchdown to put Michigan State up 7-0. This would spark a 27-3 Spartan scoring run.

8. R.J. Williamson's Pick-Six vs. Michigan

RJ Williamson michigan state spartans

8. R.J. Williamson's Pick-Six vs. Michigan

RJ Williamson michigan state spartans — The Spartans took a 14-3 lead into the locker room against in-state rival Michigan. The two teams traded punts to begin the second half, but on the Wolverines’ second possession of the third quarter, defensive back R.J. Williamson stepped in front of a Devin Gardner pass and returned it 29 yards to give the Spartans a 21-3 lead.

7. Jeremy Langford's First Touchdown Run vs. Ohio State

Jeremy Langford michigan state spartans

7. Jeremy Langford's First Touchdown Run vs. Ohio State

Jeremy Langford michigan state spartans — The Spartans hosted Ohio State in a marquee Big Ten matchup. Deadlocked at seven in the first quarter, the Buckeyes forced a Michigan State punt. However, Mike Sadlers’ punt hit an Ohio State player and was recovered by the Spartans. On the next play, running back Jeremy Langford broke through the left side and coasted 33 yards into the end zone to give Michigan State a 14-7 lead. But the Buckeyes would leave East Lansing with a 49-37 win.

6. Josiah Price's Touchdown Reception vs. Oregon

Josiah Price michigan state spartans

6. Josiah Price's Touchdown Reception vs. Oregon

Josiah Price michigan state spartans — Oregon delivered some early punches and built an 18-7 lead, but the Spartans bounced back with 24 second-quarter points. The last of them came from tight end Josiah Price who hauled in a seven-yard pass from Cook to put the Michigan State on top for the first time 24-18. But Oregon would outscore the Spartans 28-3 in the second half and sent them back to East Lansing with a 46-27 loss.

5. Tony Lippett's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Michigan

Tony Lippett michigan state spartans

5. Tony Lippett's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Michigan

Tony Lippett michigan state spartans — Michigan players drove a spike into the Spartan Stadium turf prior to the game, as if the rivalry fire needed more fuel. After Williamson’s pick-six, Michigan’s offense stalled again and was forced to punt. On the very next play, Cook hit Lippett on a back shoulder throw and the receiver took it the rest of the way for the touchdown. The play spanned 70 yards and put the Spartans up 28-3, driving the metaphorical spike through the Wolverines.

4. Darien Harris' Pick-Six vs. Purdue

Darien Harris michigan state spartans

4. Darien Harris' Pick-Six vs. Purdue

Darien Harris michigan state spartans — MIchigan State couldn’t quite put Purdue away until late in the fourth quarter. After building a 38-17 lead, the Spartans surrendered two Boilermaker touchdowns in the fourth quarter and only led by a touchdown. After a Sadler punt pinned Purdue back to their own five-yard line, the Spartans needed a defensive stand to protect the fragile lead. Linebacker Darien Harris delivered with a 15-yard pick-six to seal the 45-31 victory.

3. Trae Waynes' Game-Ending Interception vs. Nebraska

Trae Waynes michigan state spartans

3. Trae Waynes' Game-Ending Interception vs. Nebraska

Trae Waynes michigan state spartans — The Huskers mounted a furious fourth quarter rally after trailing the Spartans 27-3. After a De’Mornay Pierson-El punt return touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-22, Nebraska was knocking on the door at the Spartan 37-yard line. Defensive back Trae Waynes closed the door on the Huskers, intercepting Tommy Armstrong Jr. on second-and-10 with 30 seconds left in the game.

2. R.J. Williamson's Blocked Field Goal Return vs. Baylor

RJ Williamson michigan state spartans

2. R.J. Williamson's Blocked Field Goal Return vs. Baylor

RJ Williamson michigan state spartans — Michigan State trailed by 20 points going into the fourth quarter against Baylor, but they cut the deficit to six with less than five minutes to play. Baylor drove to Michigan State’s 27-yard line but stalled. Baylor kicker Chris Callahan looked to ice the game with a 43-yard field goal with 1:21 to play. Lineman Marcus Rush blocked the kick and Williamson returned it 36 yards to give the offense one last shot at completing the comeback.

1. Keith Mumphery's Game-Winning Touchdown Reception vs. Baylor

Keith Mumphery michigan state spartans

1. Keith Mumphery's Game-Tying Touchdown Reception vs. Baylor

Keith Mumphery michigan state spartans — After completions to Keith Mumphery, Price and Lippett, Michigan State faced first-and-goal from the Baylor 10-yard line. First and second down saw Cook throw incompletions to Price and Aaron Burbridge. On third down, Cook found Mumphery in the end zone on a post pattern to tie the score. Michael Geiger’s extra point gave the Spartans a wild 42-41 Cotton Bowl victory.

Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.

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