With two-a-day workouts behind them and the season opener less than a week away, the MSU football team is ready to get on the field against another team.

“I’m really excited,” junior wide receiver Ziehl Kavanaght said after a Wednesday scrimmage. “I’m tired of going against our defense.”

During the 76-play “controlled” scrimmage, Kavanaght caught a 52-yard touchdown from junior quarterback Jeff Smoker.

Junior wide receiver Charles Rogers has one of the top wide receiver positions locked, but the flanker opposite him has yet to be announced. Kavanaght, senior wide receiver BJ Lovett and true freshman wide receiver Agim Shabaj are the candidates.

Kavanaght said he’s more comfortable with the offense going into this season.

“It has to do with knowing what to do and knowing all the concepts,” he said. “I just try to make plays every time I’m out there.”

Freshman tailback Jaren Hayes was another player trying to make the best of his opportunities in the Wednesday scrimmage.

With senior tailback Dawan Moss sidelined to avoid injury and freshman tailback David Richard slowed by a groin injury, Hayes played with the starting offense. He has moved into the backup tailback slot behind Moss.

In the Wednesday scrimmage he had nine carries for 56 yards and a touchdown, which included a 38-yard scamper.

Hayes said he has tried to focus on limiting mistakes in practice but can’t wait until Saturday.

“Once game day comes I’ll be pumped and ready to go,” he said.

The Spartans kick off the season against Eastern Michigan at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

First watch

Rogers was listed on the 2002 Biletnikoff Award watch list released Friday. The Biletnikoff is awarded to the nation’s top receiver.

Departed

After the Aug. 17 controlled scrimmage, head coach Bobby Williams announced senior tight end Eric Easter, junior defensive end Dominick Brown and sophomore defensive tackle Lonnie Simmons left the football team.