Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry

The Battle for the Megaphone is an American college football rivalry between the Michigan State Spartans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The first game between the teams took place on November 25, 1897. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 48–28–1.

Michigan State-Notre Dame football rivalry
First meetingNovember 25, 1897
Notre Dame, 34–6
Latest meetingSeptember 23, 2017
Notre Dame, 38–18
Next meetingSeptember 19, 2026, in South Bend
StadiumsNotre Dame Stadium
South Bend, Indiana, U.S.
Spartan Stadium
East Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
TrophyNone (1897–1948)
Megaphone Trophy (1949–present)
Statistics
Meetings total79
All-time seriesNotre Dame leads, 47–29–1 (.617)[1]
Trophy seriesNotre Dame leads, 33–27–1 (.549)
Largest victoryNotre Dame, 53–0 (1898)
Longest win streakNotre Dame, 8 (1897–1909, 1987–1994)
Michigan State, 8 (1955–1963)
Current win streakNotre Dame, 1 (2017–present)
Locations of Michigan State and Notre Dame

Since 1949, the teams competed for the Megaphone Trophy, a trophy introduced by the Alumni Clubs of Notre Dame and Michigan State to be presented to the winner of the game.[2] Notre Dame leads the Megaphone Trophy series 33–27–1.[3]

The Notre Dame side of the trophy is blue, while the Michigan State side is green, and the year of the game and teams' respective scores running down the middle. The current trophy is the third trophy as the prior two trophies no longer have space for the respective games to be included.[2]

The rivalry includes several notable games, such as the 1966 game, arguably one of the greatest college football games ever played. Notre Dame currently leads the series. Games played prior to 1949 also appear on the trophy to commemorate the entire series.[4] Notre Dame is the current holder of the trophy, with a 38–18 victory on September 23, 2017. They will hold the Megaphone Trophy until 2026 when the two teams are scheduled to play again.[5]

Recent games

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After an 8–0 series run by Notre Dame from 1987 to 1994, tying the series win streak set by Michigan State from 1955 to 1963 (they didn't meet in 1958), Michigan State won five games in a row. Michigan State won 44–41 in double overtime at Notre Dame in 2005. Notre Dame pulled out a thrilling come from behind 40–37 victory in East Lansing in 2006. The trend continued in 2007 for Michigan State under new head coach Mark Dantonio who defeated the Fighting Irish 31–14, recording MSU's sixth straight victory at Notre Dame. On September 20, 2008, MSU defeated Notre Dame 23–7 in East Lansing, ending the series "jinx" of home teams always losing since 2001. Notre Dame returned the favor the following year by defeating MSU at Notre Dame. The 2010 meeting had one of the most exciting finishes to the start of the college football season. A back and forth battle the entire game, Notre Dame took the lead in overtime off of a field goal. After Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked on third down, Michigan State lined up for a field goal to tie the game at 31. They faked it, and the holder Aaron Bates tossed a game-winning touchdown pass to Charlie Gantt to win it 34–31 for the Spartans. In 2011, the Irish reclaimed the trophy with a 31–13 victory in which they led all the way.[6] Notre Dame's 17–13 victory in South Bend in 2013 made it three wins in a row for the Irish. The teams renewed the rivalry in 2016, as No. 12 Michigan State reclaimed the trophy by defeating No. 18 Notre Dame in South Bend 36–28.[7]

In 2017, Notre Dame traveled to East Lansing to take on the Spartans once again. Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush threw for a touchdown and ran for another as Notre Dame routed Michigan State 38–18.[8][9] Notre Dame's defense forced three turnovers in the game, including an interception thrown by MSU QB Brian Lewerke. The interception was returned for a touchdown by Irish defensive back Julian Love on MSU's first possession, giving the Irish an early 14–0 lead. Both teams then swapped touchdown drives. Down 21–7, Michigan State drove deep into Notre Dame territory, and appeared to score to make it a one touchdown game as running back LJ Scott rumbled into the endzone late in the first half. However, Scott had the ball jarred free at the half-yard line by Notre Dame defensive back Shawn Crawford. Crawford also recovered the forced fumble in the end zone, resulting in a touch back. The play resulted in a 14-point swing, as Notre Dame drove the length of the field in just four plays, taking a commanding 28–7 lead into halftime off of the three devastating Michigan State turnovers.

Game results

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Michigan State victoriesNotre Dame victoriesTie gamesVacated wins[n 1]
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
1 November 25, 1897 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 34 Michigan State 6
2 October 15, 1898 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 53 Michigan State 0
3 September 30, 1899 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 40 Michigan State 0
4 September 27, 1902 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 33 Michigan State 0
5 October 3, 1903 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 12 Michigan State 0
6 October 7, 1905 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 28 Michigan State 0
7 October 17, 1906 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 5 Michigan State 0
8 October 23, 1909 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 17 Michigan State 0
9 October 29, 1910 East Lansing, MI Michigan Agricultural 17 Notre Dame 0
10 November 18, 1916 East Lansing, MI Notre Dame 14 Michigan State 0
11 November 17, 1917 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 23 Michigan State 0
12 November 16, 1918 East Lansing, MI Michigan Agricultural 13 Notre Dame 7
13 November 15, 1919 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 13 Michigan State 0
14 November 25, 1920 East Lansing, MI Notre Dame 25 Michigan State 0
15 November 24, 1921 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 48 Michigan State 0
16 October 9, 1948 South Bend, IN No. 1 Notre Dame 26 Michigan State 7
17 November 5, 1949 East Lansing, MI No. 1 Notre Dame 34 No. 10 Michigan State 21
18 October 28, 1950 South Bend, IN No. 15 Michigan State 36 Notre Dame 33
19 November 10, 1951 East Lansing, MI No. 5 Michigan State 35 No. 11 Notre Dame 0
20 November 15, 1952 East Lansing, MI No. 1 Michigan State 21 No. 6 Notre Dame 3
21 October 16, 1954 South Bend, IN No. 8 Notre Dame 20 Michigan State 19
22 October 15, 1955 East Lansing, MI No. 13 Michigan State 21 No. 4 Notre Dame 7
23 October 20, 1956 South Bend, IN No. 2 Michigan State 47 Notre Dame 14
24 November 9, 1957 East Lansing, MI No. 4 Michigan State 34 No. 15 Notre Dame 6
25 October 17, 1959 East Lansing, MI Michigan State 19 Notre Dame 0
26 October 15, 1960 South Bend, IN No. 14 Michigan State 21 Notre Dame 0
27 October 21, 1961 East Lansing, MI No. 1 Michigan State 17 No. 6 Notre Dame 7
28 October 20, 1962 South Bend, IN Michigan State 31 Notre Dame 7
29 November 16, 1963 East Lansing, MI No. 4 Michigan State 12 Notre Dame 7
30 November 14, 1964 South Bend, IN No. 1 Notre Dame 34 Michigan State 7
31 November 20, 1965 South Bend, IN No. 1 Michigan State 12 No. 4 Notre Dame 3
32 November 19, 1966 East Lansing, MI Tie10Tie10
33 October 28, 1967 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 24 Michigan State 12
34 October 26, 1968 East Lansing, MI Michigan State 21 No. 5 Notre Dame 17
35 October 4, 1969 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 42 No. 14 Michigan State 28
36 October 3, 1970 East Lansing, MI No. 4 Notre Dame 29 Michigan State 0
37 October 2, 1971 South Bend, IN No. 4 Notre Dame 14 Michigan State 2
38 October 7, 1972 East Lansing, MI No. 7 Notre Dame 16 Michigan State 0
39 October 6, 1973 South Bend, IN No. 8 Notre Dame 14 Michigan State 10
40 October 5, 1974 East Lansing, MI No. 7 Notre Dame 19 Michigan State 14
41 October 4, 1975 South Bend, IN Michigan State 10 No. 8 Notre Dame 3
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
42 October 2, 1976 East Lansing, MI No. 18 Notre Dame 24 Michigan State 6
43 October 1, 1977 South Bend, IN No. 14 Notre Dame 16 Michigan State 6
44 October 7, 1978 East Lansing, MI Notre Dame 29 Michigan State 25
45 September 29, 1979 South Bend, IN No. 15 Notre Dame 27 No. 7 Michigan State 3
46 October 4, 1980 East Lansing, MI No. 7 Notre Dame 26 Michigan State 21
47 October 3, 1981 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 20 Michigan State 7
48 October 2, 1982 East Lansing, MI No. 11 Notre Dame 11 Michigan State 3
49 September 17, 1983 South Bend, IN Michigan State 28 No. 4 Notre Dame 23
50 September 15, 1984 East Lansing, MI Notre Dame 24 Michigan State 20
51 September 21, 1985 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 27 Michigan State 10
52 September 20, 1986 East Lansing, MI Michigan State 20 No. 20 Notre Dame 15
53 September 19, 1987 South Bend, IN No. 9 Notre Dame 31 No. 17 Michigan State 8
54 September 17, 1988 East Lansing, MI No. 8 Notre Dame 20 Michigan State 3
55 September 23, 1989 South Bend, IN No. 1 Notre Dame 21 Michigan State 13
56 September 22, 1990 East Lansing, MI No. 1 Notre Dame 20 No. 24 Michigan State 19
57 September 21, 1991 South Bend, IN No. 11 Notre Dame 49 Michigan State 10
58 September 19, 1992 East Lansing, MI No. 7 Notre Dame 52 Michigan State 31
59 September 18, 1993 South Bend, IN No. 4 Notre Dame 36 Michigan State 14
60 September 17, 1994 East Lansing, MI No. 8 Notre Dame 21 Michigan State 20
61 September 20, 1997 South Bend, IN No. 17 Michigan State 23 Notre Dame 7
62 September 12, 1998 East Lansing, MI Michigan State 45 No. 10 Notre Dame 23
63 September 18, 1999 South Bend, IN Michigan State 23 No. 24 Notre Dame 13
64 September 23, 2000 East Lansing, MI No. 23 Michigan State 27 No. 16 Notre Dame 21
65 September 22, 2001 South Bend, IN Michigan State 17 No. 23 Notre Dame 10
66 September 21, 2002 East Lansing, MI No. 12 Notre Dame 21 Michigan State 17
67 September 20, 2003 South Bend, IN Michigan State 22 Notre Dame 16
68 September 18, 2004 East Lansing, MI Notre Dame 31 Michigan State 24
69 September 17, 2005 South Bend, IN Michigan State 44 No. 10 Notre Dame 412OT
70 September 23, 2006 East Lansing, MI Notre Dame 40 Michigan State 37
71 September 22, 2007 South Bend, IN Michigan State 31 Notre Dame 14
72 September 20, 2008 East Lansing, MI Michigan State 23 Notre Dame 7
73 September 19, 2009 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 33 Michigan State 30
74 September 18, 2010 East Lansing, MI Michigan State 34 Notre Dame 31OT
75 September 17, 2011 South Bend, IN Notre Dame 31 No. 15 Michigan State 13
76 September 15, 2012 East Lansing, MI No. 20 Notre Dame 20 No. 10 Michigan State 3
77 September 21, 2013 South Bend, IN No. 22 Notre Dame 17 Michigan State 13
78 September 17, 2016 South Bend, IN No. 12 Michigan State 36 No. 18 Notre Dame 28
79 September 23, 2017 East Lansing, MI Notre Dame 38 Michigan State 18
Series: Notre Dame leads 47–29–1[1]
† Vacated by Notre Dame.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Notre Dame's wins in 2012 and 2013 were vacated as a result of NCAA sanctions against the Notre Dame football program issued on November 22, 2016, after the NCAA found that a student-trainer committed academic misconduct for two football players and provided six other players with impermissible academic extra benefits. The NCAA also rejected Notre Dame's appeal on February 13, 2018. This win is not included in Notre Dame's all-time record, nor is it counted in the series record between the two teams.[10] See Wikipedia:WikiProject College football/Vacated victories for an explanation of how vacated victories are recorded.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Winsipedia – Michigan State Spartans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish football series history". Winsipedia.
  2. ^ a b Vowles, Joshua (September 14, 2016). "Notre Dame vs Michigan State: The Battle For The Megaphone". One Foot Down. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  3. ^ "Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Michigan State Spartans football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  4. ^ College Football's Unusual Trophies Sports Illustrated
  5. ^ "Michigan State-Notre Dame rivalry hits longest break in about 70 years". freep.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  6. ^ Gano, Rick (September 17, 2011). "Irish get first win, beat No. 15 Spartans 31–13". Associated Press.
  7. ^ "Michigan State vs. Notre Dame: RECAP, score, stats (9/17/16), College Football Week 3". September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  8. ^ Trister, Noah. "Opportunistic Notre Dame handles Michigan State 38–18". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  9. ^ "Notre Dame vs. Michigan State – Game Summary – September 23, 2017 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  10. ^ NCAA orders Notre Dame Fighting Irish to vacate wins from 2012, 2013 seasons. ESPN, November 22, 2016.
  11. ^ Low, Chris (June 16, 2009). "What does vacating wins really mean?". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  12. ^ Taylor, John (July 4, 2009). "Vacated Wins Do Not Equal Forfeits". NBCSports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved July 9, 2011.