History of MSU Football Trivia Quiz

Answer: 72,027

At the start of the 1994 season, Spartan Stadium's capacity was reduced from 76,000 to a capacity of 72,027 to improve sight lines for fans.

Answer: They didn't have a coach

Michigan did not have an established coach for the 1896 season, their first in College football. Henry Keep became Michigan States first ever coach in 1897.

Answer: Duffy Daugherty

Daugherty went 109-69-5 from 1954 to 1972. Biggie Munn went 54-9-2 from 1947 to 1953, Charlie Bachman was 70-34-10 from 1933 to 1946, and George Perles was 68-67-4 from 1983 to 1994.

Answer: Aggies

In 1925, when Michigan Agricultural College was renamed Michigan State College, the college had a contest to replace the old nickname of "Aggies". The nickname Michigan Staters was chosen. George S. Alderton (sports editor of the Lansing State Journal), decided the name was not good for newspaper writing and he wanted to find a better one. Alderton found "Spartans" in the left over contest entries and selected that one.

Unfortunately, he forgot to write down the name on the entry, so no one knows who really came up with the nickname.

Answer: Charles "Bubba" Smith

Bubba Smith went #1 to Baltimore in the 1967 NFL draft, and played to two Pro Bowls. Mandrich was #2 in 1989, selected by the Indianapolis Colts and had a disappointing career, Jones was #2 in 1967 to the Minnesota Vikings, and DeLamielleure was #2 in 1973 to the Buffalo Bills (he played in six Pro Bowls).

Answer: Notre Dame

#2 Michigan State tied #1 Notre Dame 10-10 on November 19th 1966 in the "Game of the Century", when Ara Parseghian decided to run the clock out rather than go for the win.

Answer: Levi Jackson

Levi Jackson's 88 yard touchdown run with just over 3 minutes to play gave Michigan State the lead over #1 Ohio State, 16-13. Ohio State drove to the MSU goal line and seemed to get off one final play to score a touchdown and win but one ref signaled the game was over, another signaled a touchdown.

The refs promptly left the field but no one knew who won the game. After about half and hour, the refs were contacted at their hotel and they said the clock ran out making the Spartans the winner. Everyone stayed at the game and when the announcement came the Michigan State won, the crowd rushed the field and tore down the goal posts.

Answer: False

The Spartan beat the Irish in 8 consecutive games, not 8 years. They did not play in 1958. After losing 19-20 in 1954, the Spartans beat Notre Dame in 1955-56-57, and then 1959-60-61-62-63, before losing in 1964.

Answer: 4

MSU finished #2 in 1951, 1955, 1965, and 1966.

Answer: 3

MSU beat #1 Ohio State in 1974 and 1998, and #1 Michigan in 1990.

Answer: Paul Bunyan Trophy

The Spartan and Wolverines have played for the Paul Bunyan Trophy since 1953. The Old Brass Spittoon has gone to the Michigan State-Indiana winner since 1950. Since 1949 the Megaphone trophy has gone to the Michigan State-Notre Dame winner. The Land-Grant trophy goes to the Michigan State-Penn State winner.

Answer: Charlie Rogers

Rogers set the single season record in 2001 catching 67 passes for 1,470 yards. The previous record was held by Plaxico Burress with 1,142 yards.

Answer: Purdue

The streak began with a 33-14 win over Willian & Mary in East Lansing on October 14th, 1950 and ended with a 6-0 upset loss at Purdue on October 24th, 1953.

Answer: 20-17

The Spartans beat SC on Josh Langeloh's 36 yard field goal with 4:14 left.

Answer: 1938

MSU lost to Auburn in the Orange Bowl, 6-0 on January 1, 1938. Its next bowl appearence would be a 28-20 victory over UCLA in the 1954 Rose Bowl.