Three of last season's four football captains were benched, suspended or jailed.

The 2002 captains - quarterback Jeff Smoker, center Brian Ottney, safety Thomas Wright and running back Dawan Moss - are a stark contrast to the humble disposition displayed by this year's group, a bunch of linemen and a linebacker.

"Last year the guys didn't follow through," senior captain Paul Harker said. "It takes more than talk and inspiring speech. A captain needs to lead by example."

The four captains for the 2003 MSU football team - senior guards Harker and Joe Tate, junior defensive tackle Brandon McKinney and junior linebacker Ronald Stanley - are dedicated to make sure this season's team doesn't have to go through a similar series of events as last season.

"We want to make sure that nothing like last season happens again. What's in the past is in the past," Harker said. "We want to make sure we do things right this year."

Spartan head coach John L. Smith said he feels the four individuals selected exemplify the newfound attitude displayed, so far, by this season's team.

One thing different from last year is the process of selecting captains, which were named at Tuesday night's team meeting. Instead of a team vote, the coaching staff tabbed the four.

"We tried to pick guys that do it right on the field and off," Smith said. "Guys that go to class and do their work and also guys that would get in the weight room without being asked."

Another difference from last season's selections are the positions the captains play. Surprisingly, two offensive lineman, one defensive lineman and a linebacker were dubbed with the top honor - unusual choices for captainship, but Smith isn't worried about what position his captains play.

One player Smith especially likened to these traits was McKinney. A second-year player out of Dayton, Ohio, McKinney feels he gets along well with everyone on the team and the role of captain is one he needs to play.

"Coach has brought about an attitude change," McKinney said. "But it's up to the players to make something happen."

Harker was the easy selection for captain, being almost 24 years old and in his sixth year as a collegiate player. Harker is hoping his role as a leader can turn things around.

Fellow lineman and captain Tate feels the team is in a great situation to prove a lot, and that all team members are on the same level. A third-year starter, coach Smith feels Tate is one of the most respected players on the team.

The fourth captain is middle linebacker Stanley. The 6-foot, 234-pound junior made the move from outside to the middle linebacker this spring and will follow the great tradition of MSU middle linebacker captains, such as 2000 and 2001 captain Josh Thornhill.

"By being named a captain, it shows me that the coaches respect me," Stanley said.