2001 MSU vs. MI football game

2001 MSU vs. UM Football Game (clockgate, the Spartan Bob indicident, the 60:01 football game, "The Catch"). Video: Winning TD Catch

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TJ Duckett catches the winning touchdown pass from Jeff Smoker on 4th down, with 1 second remaining, against archrival Michigan, on national television, in front of the student section, under the lights, to win 26-24.

Introduction

The archrival Michigan State Spartans and the University of Michigan Wolverines came together on November 3rd 2001 in Spartan Stadium for one of the greatest, and most controversial, football games in Big Ten history. Both teams played spectacularly, however, it was how the game ended that many will remember. On fourth and goal, with 1 second remaining in the fourth quarter Michigan State Quarterback Jeff Smoker threw up a hail Mary to running back TJ Duckett as time expired to win 26-24 amid allegations the clock should have ran out previous to the winning play. As a direct result of the game, and petition from University of Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr, the NCAA now keeps official time on the field to avoid any potential "home cooking" on the part of the clock operator.

Lead-up to the game

The Wolverines came into East Lansing with a 6-1 (4-0) record and a number 6 ranking behind strong wins against Miami (OH), Western Michigan University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Iowa, and future Big Ten Champion University of Illinois. Michigan was the only team in the Big Ten without a loss only 4 games into the conference season. Despite an early out of conference loss at Washington University the Wolverines were considered National Title Contenders. The Wolverines led the Big Ten Conference in rushing defense and looked to put the breaks on Michigan State Running Back TJ Duckett on the ground. In the previous week, linebacker Larry Foote set a University of Michigan school record with 7 tackles for a loss and looked to put serious pressure on the Spartan offense.

The Spartans came into the contest 4-2 (2-2) with early losses at Northwestern and at Minnesota but lead the Big Ten in passing yards behind star sophomore wide receiver Charles Rogers and sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker. In the previous 4 meetings played against the Wolverines in East Lansing the Spartans were 3-1. It was coach Bobby Williams' first home game against the Wolverines. Kickoff return specialist and wide receiver Herb Haygood lead the nation in kickoff return average and looked to give the Wolerines a serious challenge on special teams.

The game started on a chilly, clear evening and was one of the few night games to be played at Michigan State. Fans and students lined up for hours and the stadium was packed well over the 72,072 capacity listed. The 300 piece Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band and University of Michigan Marching Band were both present adding to the atmosphere and stadium excitement. ABC and ESPN carried the game live nationally with commentators Gary Danielson and Brent Musburger. As with most Michigan / Michigan State football games hard hits, big stops, and amazing plays were expected.

Scoring

1st Quarter

On the opening drive of the game Michigan State found itself 4th and 11 on Michigan's 32 yard line with punter Craig Jarrett. The Spartans lined up two wide receivers and faked the punt. The pass was incomplete however Michigan safety Brandon Williams was called for a costly pass interference call giving MSU a fresh set of downs and 15 extra yards. Two plays later Jeff Smoker threw a touchdown to Charles Rogers in the back of the endzone to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive, Michigan kicker Hayden Epstein nailed a beautiful 57 yard field goal to put the Wolverines on the board 7-3.

2nd Quarter

At 12:07 of the 2nd quarter Michigan took its first lead on a 14 yard touchdown pass from John Navarre to Marquise Walker, making the score 10-7.

On 3rd and 4, 7:45 into the 2nd quarter, the Spartans were driving on the Wolverines 12.5 yard line. Jeff Smoker threw to Charles Rogers in the endzone, the ball was incomplete, but Michigan was called for yet another pass interference call. The penalty gave MSU first and goal and on the very next play TJ Duckett ran 2 yards up the middle giving MSU back the lead 14-10. The costly penalty by Kato June likely gave the Spartans a touchdown instead of a field goal. Michigan, the least penalized team in the Big Ten up until that point , was allowing the Spartans to hang around.

3rd Quarter

The Wolverines struck back on the next series, Marquise Walker caught a 32 yard touchdown pass to give Michigan the lead 17-14.

Michigan State had its own penalty trouble - 4:21 into the second half a touchdown by TJ Duckett was called back after offensive holding. Jeff Smoker was sacked on 3rd down and MSU failed to convert the field goal attempt. The score remained 17-14.

After a Michigan interception MSU kicked a 17 yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining to knot the score 17-17,

4th Quarter

With 7:33 remaining, Dave Rayner hit yet another 17 yard field goal. MSU takes a 20-17 lead.

After a Jeff Smoker fumble on 1st down Michigan recovers before scoring a 18 yard go-ahead touchdown to take a 24-20 lead.

Controversial ending

With 2:28 remaining in the game Michigan was forced to punt deep in their own zone, the punt was high and short and gave the Spartans excellent field position at the Wolverine 44 yard line. On 1st down Jeff Smoker was sacked at the 50 yard line by Jeremy Orr for the Wolverines 11th sack of the game. On 2nd and 16 with 1:39 remaining Jeff Smoker threw the ball away to bring up 3rd and 16 with 1:34 to go. On 3rd down Smoker threw an incomplete pass to running back TJ Duckett for fourth and 16 with 1:25 to go.

The final 1:25

• On fourth down, deep in Wolverine territory Smoker threw an incomplete pass up the middle for what seemed like the game ending play, however, once again the

penalty bug came back to bite the Wolverines as "Charles Rogers was mugged" on the play costing the Wolverines a personal foul. MSU was then awarded 15 yards and an automatic first down at the Wolverine 35 yard line.

• On first down Jeff Smoker threw to Charles Rogers who bobbled the football in double coverage just before the endzone for an incomplete pass with 1:12 on the clock.
• On second down an incomplete pass in the slot is almost intercepted. 1:07 remaining in the game, MSU down by four with 1 timeout left, 3rd and 10.
• On third down Herb Haygood caught a pass in the middle of the field for 13 yards and a first down. 1:01 remaining

• On first down Smoker is sacked yet again by the Wolverine defense. As the players turn to walk off the field Michigan State uses its last remaining timeout, even though,

unbeknownst to both teams a flag has been thrown for too many men on the field against the Wolverines. With 36 seconds remaining the Illegal participation call results in half-the-distance to the goal being marked off. However, since Michigan State called timeout during the penalty the Spartans were charged the timeout in error.

• During an additional officials timeout to discuss the spot of the football ABC awards Michigan's Juan Gonzales and Michigan State's TJ Duckett the Chevrolet Player of the Game Award.

Gonzales scored the Wolverine's last touchdown to give them the lead and, ironically, TJ Duckett was just moments away from doing the same.

• On second and 4 with O:36 seconds remaining Smoker throws another incomplete pass to Duckett to bring up 3rd and 4 with 0:31 to go.
• On third and 4 Jeff Smoker threw an incomplete pass in the endzone - 4th and 4.
• On fourth down Smoker threw a complete slant pass up the middle to TJ Duckett - 1st and goal from the Michigan 3 yard line.

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The final 0:27

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• On 1st and goal, MSU spikes the ball to stop the clock at 0:17 - 2nd and goal. Michigan uses a timeout.
• On 2nd and goal, Jeff Smoker rolled to the right and ran the ball down to the 1 yard line, since the play did not result in the first down the clock

contiunued to run. With under 10 seconds left the Spartans frantically lined up to get in one last play, with the players set the ball is spiked and the clock reads "0:01" much to the dismay of many Wolverine fans who believed that Michigan State failed to spike the ball in time and that the clock should have run out.

• On fourth down, on the 1 yard line, with 1 second left, under the lights, on national television, against archrival Michigan, in Spartan Stadium Jeff Smoker takes the final snap of the game; after failing

to locate an open receiver the ball is lobbed into the endzone where it is caught by TJ Duckett, giving the Spartans a 26-24 victory.

The controversy

Point

The clock was correct and time remained: The game clock in Spartan Stadium was only set up to read time in 00:00 format, therefore fractions of time are rounded up to the nearest second. For example, if the clock says 0.37 there may be between 0:37.0 and 0:37.99 remaining.

Counterpoint

The clock operator stopped the clock prematurely: Some contend that the clock operator, known as "Spartan Bob," could not have stopped the clock that quickly or that the operator purposely stopped the clock to give the Spartans one more play.

Controversy settled

According to the Big Ten, "That play, as much as we've put that under a high-powered microscope, was correct," said Dave Parry, the Big Ten's coordinator of football officials. "We could not prove that timer wrong.".

Fallout

• After completion of the game University of Michigan Head Coach Lloyd Carr pleadded with the Big Ten head office to review the rules regarding official timekeeping. Previously, the home team appointed an individual of their choosing to keep official time in the pressbox. For the 2001 MSU/UM game the timekeeper was known as "Spartan Bob." However, as a result of this game the Big Ten changed its timekeeping policy for the 2002 season. Now, time is kept on the field by an neutral official appointed by the Big Ten. The official can be recognized by his red hat and earphones.

• In addition to agreeing to change its policy on timekeeping, the Big Ten also agreed to begin a study on the feasability of an instant replay system. In 2004, the Big Ten was the first conference to begin a trial replay system for conference games only. In 2005, most NCAA division 1A teams had the option of using instant replay for their games. Finally, in 2006 instant replay became standard across all of division 1A.

Records

• TJ Duckett set a new MSU record for most rushing yards against Michigan (211), previously held by Lorenzo White with 185 yards. All this against the number one

ranked rushed defense in the entire country for 2001.

• Michigan recorded 11 sacks against MSU quarterback Jeff Smoker