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Michigan State to honor 2013 season, Rose Bowl winning team during 2023 home game

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Michigan State is gearing up for the 2023 season, and the Spartans announced Friday their plans to honor one of the all-time great teams in program history.

According to Michigan State’s announcement, the Spartans will honor the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 team on Sept. 16 in a game vs. Washington. Michigan State won 13 games, the B1G title and the Rose Bowl that season while finishing 3rd on the final AP Poll.

Michigan State started the 2013 season unranked but quickly proved to be a force. The Spartans lost on the road to Notre Dame before beginning conference play, but that was the only setback for the year.

Mark Dantonio’s squad then rattled off an 8-0 record in B1G play before facing No. 2 Ohio State in the B1G Championship Game. The Spartans stunned the Buckeyes with Connor Cook tossing 3 touchdowns while Jeremy Langford rushed for 128 yards with 2 total touchdowns in the 34-24 win.

In the Rose Bowl, Cook once again shined with 332 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. The Michigan State defense also stood tall with just 20 points allowed and a takeaway. Trae Waynes had an interception in the game as the Spartans produced 10 TFL in the 24-20 thriller.

Historical significance

Michigan State would play in the Cotton Bowl during the 2014 season and advance to the College Football Playoff in 2015, but the 2013 Rose Bowl squad is arguably the best overall season of Dantonio’s tenure with the Spartans. The 13 wins are still a single-season program record while the No. 3 finish on the AP Poll is the best for the program since the 1960s.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.