The Spartans have been familiar with a passing style of offense since head coach John L. Smith took over three years ago. But this year, thanks in part to a much-improved offensive line, running seems to be a large part of the game plan too.
Sophomore running back Jehuu Caulcrick, senior back Jason Teague and freshman Javon Ringer have enough individual talent to allow MSU to showcase a trio of runners and to give opposing defenses trouble.
"If you have running backs like that in the backfield, it's hard for a defense to game plan, because you usually just try to game plan for one back," Caulcrick said. "Plus we have Drew (Stanton) back there and a great offensive line, so the whole offense is explosive."
The threesome combined for five touchdowns in the season opening, 49-14 victory against Kent State last weekend. They compiled a huge chunk of the 685 yards of total offense, which was only 13 yards short of a school record.
Caulcrick's size and build provides him with the ability to be the power runner, while Ringer and Teague have the speed.
"It gives us an advantage of having fresh legs," Teague said. "Everybody gets in there and when we get in, we just go full speed ahead."
The backs owe much of their credit to sophomore Mike Gyetvai, junior Kyle Cook, and seniors Stefon Wheeler, Chris Morris and Gordon Nieblyski, who make up the unsung heroes of the offensive line, a line that Teague considers to be underrated.
"I've got the best line in the nation," Teague said. "They know everything they're doing, they're talking on the line and everybody is doing the same thing.
"If you believe in the person next to you, it's easy for you to do your job."
Caulcrick agrees that the Spartan offensive line makes his job easier.
"They just work together and they know what they're doing," Caulcrick said. "Whether it's me, Rings or Teague in the backfield, we just feel confident running behind them."
Although it's still early in the season, sixth-year offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland sees a different, more dedicated group of linemen on this year's team.
"This group has more people in it that football is real important to them and they put extra time in it from a mental standpoint as well as a physical," Stoutland said.
Stoutland said the teamwork that his linemen display on the field translates off the field as well.
"It's a pretty close group, they're pretty tight," he said. "They do things together, they talk about football. Even outside of football, they're always analyzing things and I think that's a healthy thing. You get a lot of bugs ironed out doing that."
Junior left guard Cook said he and his fellow linemen are far more than just teammates.
"We see each other every day at football, but we don't get sick of each other," Cook said. "Everything you do with one of your best friends, that's how we do it. We're all best friends."
