The year-plus between December 2003 and spring 2005 for junior quarterback Drew Stanton has been well documented - serious knee injury, long rehabilitation process, and a shoulder injury during the 2004 season and then more rehab.

After all those hurdles, Stanton seemed to hit a flat stretch with no obstacles.

"They're both feeling real good," Stanton said of his injuries. "I've been doing everything, everyday now. Last year, I was barely getting along, rehabbing constantly throughout the day.

"I've gotten to enjoy myself a lot more (this summer) from that standpoint. But also just being healthy - it's real nice to be healthy heading into the season."

Stanton said he has gone back and looked at the tapes and can see just how bad his mechanics were because of the knee and then the shoulder.

"I go back and watch film, and I'm even amazed at how I was able to play in some of those games with my knee and my shoulder the way it was," Stanton said. "I remember what it was like going through that stuff, just being able to go out and play, at times, was hard."

It's been the experience of the injuries which has helped Stanton push himself at times - last season's 687 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 1,601 yards passing and eight passing touchdowns in 10 games. But for him it's the experiences on the field that drives him even more.

"Where you actually learn is out there on Saturdays," Stanton said. "When you live and go through those (situations), and once you've experienced it, you don't ever want that feeling again. After Michigan, you're willing to do whatever it takes to never have that feeling again. You revert back to that feeling, and that's the motivation I need to go out there and do whatever it takes that day to get better."

Part of getting better for Stanton is helping his teammates improve.

He said they're accomplishing that goal every Wednesday morning by holding a practice for all the players who are here for the summer. The practice has no coaches and is similar to what the team would do during the season, but it's run solely by the players.

"A big part of this summer is the leaders of this team have taken more control," he said. "We conduct ourselves like we're going through a practice."

Off the field, Stanton is doing some field work for his major, kinesiology with a focus in business and athletic administration, and is working toward getting a specialization in coaching.

However, few people will remember what Stanton has gone through. As long as he's healthy, MSU has a chance to win, according to head coach John L. Smith.

"Drew Stanton gives us a chance to win every Saturday," Smith said in a written statement. "Drew does a great job in executing the offense and making good decisions with the football."

Stanton is a redshirt junior, the clear-cut starting quarterback and leader of the team, but with two years left to play, he still has a long way to go and a lot to learn, he said. Right now, he's just looking forward to Saturdays come fall.

"You put in all this work behind the scenes, and you only get 12 times to go out there and play for 60 minutes," he said. "It's nice to know I've come along way, but there is definitely more for me to grow into."