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Michigan State defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) runs the ball in for a touchdown on a last second fumble by Michigan in the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2015. Michigan State beat Michigan, 27-23.

(Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News)

EAST LANSING -- In a year filled with amazing finishes to college football games, one of Michigan State's endings stood up as the best.

The Spartans' return of a muffed punt attempt for a touchdown on the final play against Michigan was named the best play of the season in ESPN' College Football Awards show Thursday night in Atlanta.

The award was determined by a fan vote, with Michigan State's play receiving 43 percent of the vote.

Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson, who scored the touchdown in Michigan State's 27-23 win in Ann Arbor, sent along a recorded message to the awards show as he recovers from the broken hip suffered on the play and studies for finals.

"It was a special play, of course, against Michigan, our rival," Watts-Jackson said. "Just seeing how that took place and then how our season is going now, we're in the College Football Playoff, people are telling me now 'If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here now. It's a great feeling knowing that I was still able to contribute to my team's winning."

Watts-Jackson also said that his recovery is going well and that he has been able to put weight on his hip.

SPARTANS NOTES

More All-Americans: Four more All-American teams were announced this week, and Michigan State players appeared on all of them. Jack Allen, Jack Conklin Conklin and Shilique Calhoun were all named second-team Walter Camp All-Americans, on a team selected by coaches and sports information directors. Allen was also named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and second team by USA Today. Conklin was named first team by USA Today, and Calhoun was named a second-team by CBS.

Freshman teams: Three Michigan State players were named to ESPN.com's All-Big Ten freshman team on Friday. L.J. Scott earned a nod at running back, while Craig Evans earned a nod at defensive line and Jake Hartbarger earned the award at punter. Evans and safety Grayson Miller were previously named to BTN.com's freshman team.

Griffin says no big deal: Former Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin told Sports Illustrated said he received a call from Michigan State's Connor Cook on Sunday regarding how Cook accepted the Big Ten championship game MVP trophy. He said Cook apologized and he accepted that apology. "It looked a lot worse than it really was," Griffin said.

Cook in Baltimore: Cook is spending the day in Baltimore, where he will accept the 2015 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award at an evening ceremony that will feature NFL Hall of Famer Raymond Berry. He also took time early Friday to do his best Unitas impression.