The Michigan State Spartans needed a field goal in the final moments of the fourth quarter to tie Arizona State and force overtime. They got it. Only, after the kick went through, officials reviewed the play to see if there were 12 men on the field.
After a quick review, it was determined that yes, Sparty in fact did have 12 men on the field.
After moving back five yards for the penalty, Michigan State’s kicker, Matt Coughlin, brutally shanked his second attempt.
It was Coughlin’s third miss of the game on three attempts.
It will certainly cause Sparty to fall outside the top-25 in next week’s rankings, and it was the ultimate “Sparty NOOOO” moment of the young season.
Fans and analysts reacted to this maddening ending.