Griffin Oakes' game-winning field goal rehashed in epic Twitter thread
Indiana and No. 24 Michigan State will square off this weekend at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, but the big story in the lead up to the game is a kick that took place a few years ago.
During the 2016 season, Michigan State was ranked No. 17 and appeared poised for yet another big year in the Big Ten. The Spartans were 2-1 and went down to Bloomington for what should have been a win.
But then Griffin Oakes happened.
More specifically, place-kicker Griffin Oakes — who had missed his first three field goals in the game — was given a second chance after a leaping call against MSU afforded him another opportunity to win the game in overtime. Again, Oakes had already missed three field-goals, including the attempt just two plays before, but given one more chance he pushed the ball through the uprights and gave Indiana the 24-21 upset over the Spartans, basically ruining MSU’s season.
It was an epic moment and an epic celebration for both Oakes and Indiana, so much so that it still comes up today.
Case in point? See this Tweet:
It’s #WayBackWednesday and MSU is coming to Memorial Stadium this week. We can’t wait @Griffin_Oakes pic.twitter.com/jSO4rjo1ST
— Barstool IU (@IUBarstool) September 19, 2018
That’s an epic memory, but even more epic is the Twitter thread that emerged after Oakes responded to Barstool IU.
Worst kick of my life that led to one of my most memorable life moments…whatta time #BeatSparty https://t.co/g3B2natfUS
— Griffin Oakes (@Griffin_Oakes) September 19, 2018
Oakes’ tweet led to plenty of positive fan interaction, but there certainly were a few people still salty with the overall career the kicker put together at Indiana. On person, in particular, was extremely salty:
You’ve had so many horrible kicks it’s hard to say that was the worst one
— Justin Martin (@Jmarty24) September 20, 2018
Makes no sense. I’m on twitter just like you are. Must be boring at your place as well. Stop living in your “glory” days you bum
— Justin Martin (@Jmarty24) September 20, 2018
I only know your name because you lost your team multiple bowl games lol. Wouldn’t be proud of that buddy
— Justin Martin (@Jmarty24) September 20, 2018
The thread also unearthed this sick burn towards poor Justin Martin, whoever he may be:
The only bowl he made it to had chips in it
— Robert Jones (@IndianaJones79) September 21, 2018
Oakes went 69-for-90 in field goals over four seasons with the Hoosiers from 2014-2017.