Jim Harbaugh states 2015 loss to Michigan State is a top five worst moment in his life

Jim Harbaugh still isn’t over it. During an appearance on “Pardon My Take,” the former Michigan head coach recounted the Wolverines’ stunning loss to Michigan State in 2015.

“I’m not fully over that,” Harbaugh said. “We got a punt blocked with 10 seconds left in the game. It’s left an indelible bruise there. Yeah, that was, I mean, one of the top five worst things that’s ever happened to me in my life… I play that scenario out quite a bit.”

Harbaugh’s memory serves him well. Michigan was the No. 12 team in the country at the time; an underdog to No. 7 Michigan State. With 10 seconds left in the game, Michigan held a 23-21 lead.

After being stopped on the Spartans’ 47-yard line, the Wolverines elected to punt, hoping to pin MSU near its end zone. Instead, disaster struck for the Wolverines when punter Blake O’Neill fumbled the snap, allowing a horde of Spartans to maul him in the backfield.

In the blink of an eye, the ball was loose and Michigan State took it in the other direction. As time expired on the clock, MSU’s Jalen Watts-Jackson dove into the end zone to give the Spartans a 27-23 victory. Meanwhile, broadcaster Sean McDonough provided infamous commentary over the jaw-dropping play.

“Whoa, he has trouble with the snap! And the ball is free!” McDonough screamed. “It’s picked up by Michigan State’s Jalen Watts-Jackson, and he scores! On the last play of the game! Unbelievable!”

Evidently, the words still haunt Harbaugh. Then again, the Michigan head coach had the final laugh. In Harbaugh’s final two seasons as Michigan’s head coach, the Wolverines defeated Michigan State by a combined 71 points.

Moreover, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to three straight Big Ten titles and, ultimately, a national championship in the 2023 campaign. Sherrone Moore will succeed Harbaugh in the upcoming season. Although Harbaugh is no longer at the helm of Michigan, he’s still always available to help Moore.

“I just talked to him about two days ago and just continue to say do you, because it was working and continues to work,” Moore said of Harbaugh in July. “So, for me, he’s always himself. He’s always going to tell me the truth and I’ll talk to him as often as possible.

“He told me his phone is there and he’s just waiting to be counted on,” Moore said. “So, I’m excited to call him again soon.”