Sophomore offensive lineman Mike Gyetvai wasn't familiar with the term "pigskin" five years ago.

"I wasn't even a football fan coming into high school," said Gyetvai, who grew up in Ontario, Canada. "I was actually a basketball player talked into playing football.

"After a couple weeks of camp playing in high school, the coach pulled me aside and says, 'You have potential to be one of the best players to ever come out of this city.' So when someone tells you that, it kind of drives you to live up to that goal."

Gyetvai, who is 6-foot-7 and 307 pounds, has more than lived up to that goal and has anchored a starting spot on the offensive line with four upperclassmen.

"I came in with a chip on my shoulder, I guess you could say because I'm Canadian," Gyetvai said. "Sometimes (people) mark you off as a weaker player so I thought I have to show the Americans how the Canadians play ball and I did."

Gyetvai's older brother, Dan, plays offensive line for the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Gyetvai can still recall the advice that his older brother gave him prior to his enrollment at MSU.

"He told me to not let anyone push me around," he said. "If you show you're weak, they're going to pick on you. If they push you, push them back."

As a true freshman in 2003, Gyetvai was redshirted and placed on the scout team. After developing there and receiving numerous scout team awards, Gyetvai was given game time opportunities in five contests last season. But he said he was unhappy with his performance.

"I had a great season on the scout team and the next year, I came out and hit a slump," he said. "I had some things hold me back confidence-wise and it seemed like I had trouble blocking guys. This year, I've overcome that. My mindset is that I can block anyone that you put across the ball."

While he's more comfortable with his role on the line this year, Gyetvai said the big-game atmosphere still gives him pregame jitters.

"I'm a nervous kind of guy — I still get nervous before the games," he said. "(Nervousness) makes you think of things, it keeps you on your toes. In a way, it helps me. I don't see it as a drawback."

Gyetvai's nervousness and nationality have made him the butt of jokes from fellow linemen.

"We're always joking around with each other and we always play stupid little games with each other," senior lineman Gordon Niebylski said.

"I give him a tremendous amount of hard time, but it's because I love the kid. I always make Canadian jokes. It's all in fun."

Gyetvai has started all seven games so far in this season, and looks to be a bright spot on the offensive line in future years.

"Gyetvai is a big athletic kid," MSU head coach John L. Smith said. "For a big guy, we knew coming in, he could bend his knees, he's got some flexibility to him. It's just been a matter of him learning the game of football."

"He's come a long way, but we're still scratching the surface with him. He's going to get nothing but better."