Biggest plays in MSU history

[Cledus]

That Orenzo Davis run was great. Pure Bo Jackson Tecmo.

[AFCAT]

The famous Jesse Jones catch and run against Boise in 1984. This game put MSU in first place in the Big Sky that year.
I clipped this out of the 1984 highlite tape. Sorry for the poor quality.

[vike_king]

The famous Jesse Jones catch and run against Boise in 1984. This game put MSU in first place in the Big Sky that year.
I clipped this out of the 1984 highlite tape. Sorry for the poor quality.

Thank you, I had never seen this play, only heard it on the radio.

[TomCat88]

Bunch of young punks posting here. The greatest play ever was Paul Schafer's 58th carry in the 1968 Cat-Griz game with 12 seconds left. Look it up. See what that team did on November 2, 1968.

I’m not old enough to remember Schafers play and I’m not sure if I’m a punk, but I can’t see how any play against the griz can beat Joe Roberts interception for greatest plays in Bobcat history. Roberts interception occurred when the Cats were, in all likelihood, going down to defeat. Joe’s improbable interception and return won the playoff game and put the Cats in the national championship.
Without having seen Schafers play, I will give you number two on the list though.

Sometime in the third quarter of the 68 game, the staples they used to keep Paul's dislocated shoulder somewhat in place began coming out...and that was the 58th carry by Paul in that one game. Even though the next tackle saved the lead as the clock ran out, I stiil maintain that one yard run as the best ever.

So who made the tackle?

[TomCat88]

Bunch of young punks posting here. The greatest play ever was Paul Schafer's 58th carry in the 1968 Cat-Griz game with 12 seconds left. Look it up. See what that team did on November 2, 1968.

Yeah, I think that’s gotta be top five, not eighth.

The second best play happened in that game. Who tackled Ron Baines on the Cat 12 yard line as the gun ending the game sounded?

I don’t know. Who did tackle Ron Baines?

It always amazes people when they find out who ran him down and caught him at the 12. That had to have been one of the very best football games I've ever watched, from the Bobcat perspective anyway...

I know I’m ready to be amazed.

[AFCAT]

Bunch of young punks posting here. The greatest play ever was Paul Schafer's 58th carry in the 1968 Cat-Griz game with 12 seconds left. Look it up. See what that team did on November 2, 1968.

Yeah, I think that’s gotta be top five, not eighth.

The second best play happened in that game. Who tackled Ron Baines on the Cat 12 yard line as the gun ending the game sounded?

I don’t know. Who did tackle Ron Baines?

It always amazes people when they find out who ran him down and caught him at the 12. That had to have been one of the very best football games I've ever watched, from the Bobcat perspective anyway...

I know I’m ready to be amazed.

I looked up the newspaper articles from the game and there is no mention who made the tackle. Since we are supposed to be “amazed” then I’m going with Dennis Erickson or Cat Grad came out of the stands and made the play.

[TomCat88]

Bunch of young punks posting here. The greatest play ever was Paul Schafer's 58th carry in the 1968 Cat-Griz game with 12 seconds left. Look it up. See what that team did on November 2, 1968.

Yeah, I think that’s gotta be top five, not eighth.

The second best play happened in that game. Who tackled Ron Baines on the Cat 12 yard line as the gun ending the game sounded?

I don’t know. Who did tackle Ron Baines?

It always amazes people when they find out who ran him down and caught him at the 12. That had to have been one of the very best football games I've ever watched, from the Bobcat perspective anyway...

I know I’m ready to be amazed.

I looked up the newspaper articles from the game and there is no mention who made the tackle. Since we are supposed to be “amazed” then I’m going with Dennis Erickson or Cat Grad came out of the stands and made the play.

Rocky Tope, Eric Wheeler, Ray Becky?

[Cat Grad]

Bunch of young punks posting here. The greatest play ever was Paul Schafer's 58th carry in the 1968 Cat-Griz game with 12 seconds left. Look it up. See what that team did on November 2, 1968.

Yeah, I think that’s gotta be top five, not eighth.

The second best play happened in that game. Who tackled Ron Baines on the Cat 12 yard line as the gun ending the game sounded?

I don’t know. Who did tackle Ron Baines?

It always amazes people when they find out who ran him down and caught him at the 12. That had to have been one of the very best football games I've ever watched, from the Bobcat perspective anyway...

I know I’m ready to be amazed.

I looked up the newspaper articles from the game and there is no mention who made the tackle. Since we are supposed to be “amazed” then I’m going with Dennis Erickson or Cat Grad came out of the stands and made the play.

The reporters back then were so incompetent, weren't they? Couldn't have been Rick Ogle because he went to Colorado, right?

[allcat]

Yet another cryptic Post from cryptic grad. Never tell your whole story.

[TomCat88]

Bunch of young punks posting here. The greatest play ever was Paul Schafer's 58th carry in the 1968 Cat-Griz game with 12 seconds left. Look it up. See what that team did on November 2, 1968.

Yeah, I think that’s gotta be top five, not eighth.

The second best play happened in that game. Who tackled Ron Baines on the Cat 12 yard line as the gun ending the game sounded?

I don’t know. Who did tackle Ron Baines?

It always amazes people when they find out who ran him down and caught him at the 12. That had to have been one of the very best football games I've ever watched, from the Bobcat perspective anyway...

I know I’m ready to be amazed.

I looked up the newspaper articles from the game and there is no mention who made the tackle. Since we are supposed to be “amazed” then I’m going with Dennis Erickson or Cat Grad came out of the stands and made the play.

The reporters back then were so incompetent, weren't they? Couldn't have been Rick Ogle because he went to Colorado, right?

Are you trying to say it was Rick Ogle? Stomp your foot once for Yes, twice for No.

[AFCAT]

Bunch of young punks posting here. The greatest play ever was Paul Schafer's 58th carry in the 1968 Cat-Griz game with 12 seconds left. Look it up. See what that team did on November 2, 1968.

Yeah, I think that’s gotta be top five, not eighth.

The second best play happened in that game. Who tackled Ron Baines on the Cat 12 yard line as the gun ending the game sounded?

I don’t know. Who did tackle Ron Baines?

It always amazes people when they find out who ran him down and caught him at the 12. That had to have been one of the very best football games I've ever watched, from the Bobcat perspective anyway...

I know I’m ready to be amazed.

I looked up the newspaper articles from the game and there is no mention who made the tackle. Since we are supposed to be “amazed” then I’m going with Dennis Erickson or Cat Grad came out of the stands and made the play.

The reporters back then were so incompetent, weren't they? Couldn't have been Rick Ogle because he went to Colorado, right?

Are you trying to say it was Rick Ogle? Stomp your foot once for Yes, twice for No.

Well, if he is then that would be interesting, because Rick Ogle shows up on the 1968 Colorado football roster.

[John K]

Bunch of young punks posting here. The greatest play ever was Paul Schafer's 58th carry in the 1968 Cat-Griz game with 12 seconds left. Look it up. See what that team did on November 2, 1968.

Yeah, I think that’s gotta be top five, not eighth.

The second best play happened in that game. Who tackled Ron Baines on the Cat 12 yard line as the gun ending the game sounded?

I don’t know. Who did tackle Ron Baines?

It always amazes people when they find out who ran him down and caught him at the 12. That had to have been one of the very best football games I've ever watched, from the Bobcat perspective anyway...

I know I’m ready to be amazed.

I looked up the newspaper articles from the game and there is no mention who made the tackle. Since we are supposed to be “amazed” then I’m going with Dennis Erickson or Cat Grad came out of the stands and made the play.

The reporters back then were so incompetent, weren't they? Couldn't have been Rick Ogle because he went to Colorado, right?

Are you trying to say it was Rick Ogle? Stomp your foot once for Yes, twice for No.

Well, if he is then that would be interesting, because Rick Ogle shows up on the 1968 Colorado football roster.

Here's a novel idea. Maybe for once Cat Grad could just come out and actually say in plain English, what he's trying so hard to tell us, without actually saying it? Is that too much to ask of him?

[allcat]

Yeah, I think that’s gotta be top five, not eighth.

The second best play happened in that game. Who tackled Ron Baines on the Cat 12 yard line as the gun ending the game sounded?

I don’t know. Who did tackle Ron Baines?

It always amazes people when they find out who ran him down and caught him at the 12. That had to have been one of the very best football games I've ever watched, from the Bobcat perspective anyway...

I know I’m ready to be amazed.

I looked up the newspaper articles from the game and there is no mention who made the tackle. Since we are supposed to be “amazed” then I’m going with Dennis Erickson or Cat Grad came out of the stands and made the play.

The reporters back then were so incompetent, weren't they? Couldn't have been Rick Ogle because he went to Colorado, right?

Are you trying to say it was Rick Ogle? Stomp your foot once for Yes, twice for No.

Well, if he is then that would be interesting, because Rick Ogle shows up on the 1968 Colorado football roster.

Here's a novel idea. Maybe for once Cat Grad could just come out and actually say in plain English, what he's trying so hard to tell us, without actually saying it? Is that too much to ask of him?

From cryptic grad? That would be novel.

[grizband]

Since it’s the off-season I thought a thread on this might help pass the time.

1) Joe Roberts INT return vs Rhode Island in 1984 semis.
2) The Stuff vs UM in 2018
3) Blocked XP vs New Hampshire to win first round playoff game in 1976.
4) Jesse Jones screen pass and run from Kelly Bradley vs Boise State in 1984.
5) Steven Bethley’s blocked XP vs New Hampshire in second round playoff game in 2011.
6) Travis Lulay to Junior Adams TD pass vs UM in 2002.
7) Onside kick recovered by Corey Smith vs NAU in 2003.
8- Paul Schafer game-winning TD run vs UM with 12 seconds to go in 1968.
9) Corey Smith game-opening KO return for TD vs UM in 2003.
10) Mike Rider tackles WSU’s Bo Bolen on 4th-goal from 1 w/20 seconds to go in 2009.

As much as I enjoyed The Stuff and it was a great play. I think that I would move #6 up to 2nd just because of the significance of ending the streak.

As a Griz fan, I was about to make the same point, especially considering the historical significance.

[iaafan]

Since it’s the off-season I thought a thread on this might help pass the time.

1) Joe Roberts INT return vs Rhode Island in 1984 semis.
2) The Stuff vs UM in 2018
3) Blocked XP vs New Hampshire to win first round playoff game in 1976.
4) Jesse Jones screen pass and run from Kelly Bradley vs Boise State in 1984.
5) Steven Bethley’s blocked XP vs New Hampshire in second round playoff game in 2011.
6) Travis Lulay to Junior Adams TD pass vs UM in 2002.
7) Onside kick recovered by Corey Smith vs NAU in 2003.
8- Paul Schafer game-winning TD run vs UM with 12 seconds to go in 1968.
9) Corey Smith game-opening KO return for TD vs UM in 2003.
10) Mike Rider tackles WSU’s Bo Bolen on 4th-goal from 1 w/20 seconds to go in 2009.

As much as I enjoyed The Stuff and it was a great play. I think that I would move #6 up to 2nd just because of the significance of ending the streak.

As a Griz fan, I was about to make the same point, especially considering the historical significance.

Had it happened in the fourth quarter, I’d put it higher.

[John K]

Since it’s the off-season I thought a thread on this might help pass the time.

1) Joe Roberts INT return vs Rhode Island in 1984 semis.
2) The Stuff vs UM in 2018
3) Blocked XP vs New Hampshire to win first round playoff game in 1976.
4) Jesse Jones screen pass and run from Kelly Bradley vs Boise State in 1984.
5) Steven Bethley’s blocked XP vs New Hampshire in second round playoff game in 2011.
6) Travis Lulay to Junior Adams TD pass vs UM in 2002.
7) Onside kick recovered by Corey Smith vs NAU in 2003.
8- Paul Schafer game-winning TD run vs UM with 12 seconds to go in 1968.
9) Corey Smith game-opening KO return for TD vs UM in 2003.
10) Mike Rider tackles WSU’s Bo Bolen on 4th-goal from 1 w/20 seconds to go in 2009.

As much as I enjoyed The Stuff and it was a great play. I think that I would move #6 up to 2nd just because of the significance of ending the streak.

As a Griz fan, I was about to make the same point, especially considering the historical significance.

Had it happened in the fourth quarter, I’d put it higher.

I don't care what quarter it happened in, that play deserves to be #2 in my opinion. That TD still counts for 6 points, whether it happened in the first minute of the game, or the final minute, and it turned out to be the game clinching score. That TD ended 16 years of misery for Bobcat fans, and it's impossible to overstate it's significance.

[iaafan]

Since it’s the off-season I thought a thread on this might help pass the time.

1) Joe Roberts INT return vs Rhode Island in 1984 semis.
2) The Stuff vs UM in 2018
3) Blocked XP vs New Hampshire to win first round playoff game in 1976.
4) Jesse Jones screen pass and run from Kelly Bradley vs Boise State in 1984.
5) Steven Bethley’s blocked XP vs New Hampshire in second round playoff game in 2011.
6) Travis Lulay to Junior Adams TD pass vs UM in 2002.
7) Onside kick recovered by Corey Smith vs NAU in 2003.
8- Paul Schafer game-winning TD run vs UM with 12 seconds to go in 1968.
9) Corey Smith game-opening KO return for TD vs UM in 2003.
10) Mike Rider tackles WSU’s Bo Bolen on 4th-goal from 1 w/20 seconds to go in 2009.

As much as I enjoyed The Stuff and it was a great play. I think that I would move #6 up to 2nd just because of the significance of ending the streak.

As a Griz fan, I was about to make the same point, especially considering the historical significance.

Had it happened in the fourth quarter, I’d put it higher.

I don't care what quarter it happened in, that play deserves to be #2 in my opinion. That TD still counts for 6 points, whether it happened in the first minute of the game, or the final minute, and it turned out to be the game clinching score. That TD ended 16 years of misery for Bobcat fans, and it's impossible to overstate it's significance.

Of all the plays on the list only two didn’t happen in the closing moments of the game to flip it from a loss or tie to a win. That play ranks highest of the two. Had it not occurred in such a historical win it would be very plain. It just doesn’t stack up with any of the top five in terms of shock value and suddenness.

The 2002 Cat-Griz game is arguably the biggest game in MSU history. The game in its entirety had several big plays and big performances. Joey Thomas and Ryan Johnson had big games. The defense was great as a unit.

[John K]

Since it’s the off-season I thought a thread on this might help pass the time.

1) Joe Roberts INT return vs Rhode Island in 1984 semis.
2) The Stuff vs UM in 2018
3) Blocked XP vs New Hampshire to win first round playoff game in 1976.
4) Jesse Jones screen pass and run from Kelly Bradley vs Boise State in 1984.
5) Steven Bethley’s blocked XP vs New Hampshire in second round playoff game in 2011.
6) Travis Lulay to Junior Adams TD pass vs UM in 2002.
7) Onside kick recovered by Corey Smith vs NAU in 2003.
8- Paul Schafer game-winning TD run vs UM with 12 seconds to go in 1968.
9) Corey Smith game-opening KO return for TD vs UM in 2003.
10) Mike Rider tackles WSU’s Bo Bolen on 4th-goal from 1 w/20 seconds to go in 2009.

As much as I enjoyed The Stuff and it was a great play. I think that I would move #6 up to 2nd just because of the significance of ending the streak.

As a Griz fan, I was about to make the same point, especially considering the historical significance.

Had it happened in the fourth quarter, I’d put it higher.

I don't care what quarter it happened in, that play deserves to be #2 in my opinion. That TD still counts for 6 points, whether it happened in the first minute of the game, or the final minute, and it turned out to be the game clinching score. That TD ended 16 years of misery for Bobcat fans, and it's impossible to overstate it's significance.

Of all the plays on the list only two didn’t happen in the closing moments of the game to flip it from a loss or tie to a win. That play ranks highest of the two. Had it not occurred in such a historical win it would be very plain. It just doesn’t stack up with any of the top five in terms of shock value and suddenness.

The 2002 Cat-Griz game is arguably the biggest game in MSU history. The game in its entirety had several big plays and big performances. Joey Thomas and Ryan Johnson had big games. The defense was great as a unit.

I agree completely with everything you just said, and certainly Ryan Johnson and the entire defense deserve most of the credit for that win. That was one of the best defensive performances in MSU history, and it came against a team that was the defending national champions, and had won 24 straight games before losing to EWU the previous week. But still, at some point the offense needed to make a play to win the game, or else that great defensive effort would have gone to waste. That was one of the most significant wins in MSU history, if not the most significant, and that was the biggest single play in that game.

Also, while Corey Smith returning the opening kickoff for a TD in the 2003 Cat-Griz game was obviously a huge play, I think you could make a case for Kenneth Quall's interception return for a TD right before halftime being an even bigger play in that game. After Corey's TD, UM absolutely dominated us for the entire first half and had taken a 10-6 lead, and honestly, it probably shouldn't even have been that close. Quall's TD sent us into the half with a 13-10 lead, and completely flipped the momentum back to our side going into the 2nd half. We dominated most of the rest of the game, scoring 21 straight points to go up 27-10 early in the 4th quarter.

I also seem to recall that UM marched down the field early in the 1st half, with the score still 6-0, and was knocking on the door of scoring a TD that would have given them a 7-6 lead (assuming they made the XP). Then Beau Clark of Belgrade had 2 consecutive sacks that not only kept them out of the end zone, but also pushed their subsequent FG attempt out of chip shot range. They missed the FG, and we still led 6-0. Those 2 sacks were huge plays in that game as well, but unfortunately largely forgotten.

[WalkOn79]

Corey's KO Return is top 5 in my book.

[WalkOn79]

Not the biggest play, not even top 10, but SWEET

Oh this might be top 10 worthy. One of the best runs of all time.