In Dramatic Fashion, Michigan State Wins First Bowl Game in 10 years

The 11-3 Spartans, who trailed 16-0 at halftime, pulled into a tie after Le'Veon Bell scored a 1-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left in regulation.

It was the first time since 2001 that Michigan State won a post-season bowl game, and the first victory in five attempts while Mark Dantonio has been the Spartans' head coach. What did he have to say after the exciting win?

“We’ve been waiting for one of these bowl trophies for five years so we’re thrilled to have it. I want to thank the Outback Bowl for making this a very special time for us," Dantonio said during the post-game press conference.  "[It's a] big win against a great football team, against an SEC team, against a team that won their division and was 10-2 in the regular season. Again, I think it just points towards us becoming an elite program in this league. There’s not a football team that we cannot play with and not win against. We’ve done that. We’ve beaten every football team in the Big Ten conference within the last four years. The standard has been set by our seniors. We’re going to have to continue to work and grow as a program with recruits and different things. But everything is there. Two 11-win seasons, there’s not too many football teams in the country that are saying that right now."

You can hear more comments and see game highlights on the official Michigan State football team website.