After reviewing a tape from Saturday’s 27-10 win over Rice, one thing was clear to Spartan head coach Bobby Williams.
“After looking at the film, we probably should have thrown it to (junior wide receiver) Charles (Rogers) 10 to 15 more times,” he said. “They had one guy covering Charles, and he was 10 yards off and 5 yards inside.”
As it was, Rogers posted 155 receiving yards and one touchdown on nine catches. His 38-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter also marked the 11th straight game in which the 6-foot-4, 205 pound receiver has reached the end zone at least once.
If Rogers catches a touchdown Saturday against California, he will tie the Big Ten and NCAA records for consecutive games with at least one touchdown catch. Former Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard had a total of 12 during the 1990 and ‘1991 seasons, and former Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss had the single season record of 12 in 1997.
For his efforts, Rogers was named both MSU’s and the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week.
Rogers has 13 receptions for 293 yards and three touchdowns on the season.
Man in the middle
Sophomore defensive tackle Brandon McKinney was named a starter for Saturday’s game against California (2-0).
The game will mark McKinney’s first start as a Spartan. Despite not starting against Rice, the 6-3, 293 pounder impressed Williams enough to uproot sophomore defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson in the middle.
Williams said McKinney played well in 30 or 40 plays he saw on Saturday. “He played pretty good, so we want to give him more opportunities to play this weekend,” Williams said.
McKinney recorded two tackles, both solo against the Owls. One tackle went for a loss.
National stage
Saturday’s game against the Golden Bears marks the first time the No. 15 Spartans (2-0) play for a national audience, as the 12:05 p.m. kickoff is slated for ESPN2.
MSU will go for its 21st consecutive sellout against Cal, but first, about 1,000 tickets still need to be sold. Single-game tickets can be purchased at the Jenison Field House Ticket Office for $38. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (800)GO-STATE.
Five-hundred tickets are also available for the Oct. 26 game against No. 22 Wisconsin (3-0).
Fighting Irish
The Sept. 21 game against No. 20 Notre Dame (2-0) has now been scheduled, with the game being shown nationally at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
The Spartans have defeated the Fighting Irish in the past five meetings.
Injury update
Senior tailback Dawan Moss left Saturday’s game with thigh bruise. Williams kept the back out for precautionary reasons, but expects to have him in the lineup on Saturday.
“Dawan Moss will be day-to-day,” Williams said. “I expect him to be ready this weekend.”
Williams also said sophomore defensive end Clifford Dukes has a bruised elbow. But the 6-3, 254 pounder also is expected to play Saturday.
Dukes recorded the Spartans first sack of the season against the Owls.
