Spartan Legend Reveals Fact About Iconic 'Little Giants' Game

Former Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell revealed some insight into the iconic play that won the "Little Giants" game.

Nov 24, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan State Spartans running back Le'Veon Bell (24) runs for a first down in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports / Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

With the renewal of Michigan State football's historic rivalry with Notre Dame, archives from past Spartan-Fighting Irish classic have resurfaced on social media.

One of the greatest, of course, was Michigan State's stunning overtime victory in the "LIttle Giants" game. The Spartans walked off with a fake field goal attempt from 46 yards out that would have tied the game, instead throwing for a touchdown to win the dual.

Big Ten Football posted the clip on X on Friday after it was announced the rivalry would be returning. Spartan legend Le'Veon Bell reposted the post, writing, "ppl don't even know this play was drawn up for me ... lol."

ppl don’t even know this play was drawn up for me … lol https://t.co/adLx4qyVLY

— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) June 27, 2024

In the play, former Michigan State punter Aaron Bates received the snap, rolled out to the right and threw the game-clinching touchdown pass to tight end Charlie Gantt.

Big Ten Football reposted Bell's post, responding: "We knew that from this clip." Included was an old interview with Bates, who discussed what was going through his mind during the play.

"The first thing was I was just Le'Veon," Bates said. "He was the guy I had thrown to all week in practice, was the guy the ball was supposed to go to. When he kind of gets held up there and they kind of get mixed up, as soon as Charlie became free and put his hand up, I knew where the ball was going."

We knew that from this clip. 👇 https://t.co/9LAySvPJSd pic.twitter.com/PXVjfLWCQU

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 27, 2024

Michigan State will face Notre Dame in the fall of 2026. They will meet at Notre Dame Stadium before facing off at Spartan Stadium in 2017.

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