West Lafayette, Ind. — A common sight in Saturday's 28-21 loss at Purdue was the vision of uprooted chunks of grass on Ross-Ade Stadium following pivots, cuts and runs from players on both teams.
The field conditions were so bad that stadium personnel and representatives from each team hurried onto the field during TV timeouts and stoppages in play in attempting to repair the divots on the field.
"It was probably the worst field you've ever seen," MSU head coach John L. Smith said.
Although Purdue played four previous games at Ross-Ade prior to Saturday, Smith said the field condition can't be used as an excuse.
"That's not the deciding factor," he said. "(Purdue was) playing on it too."
Junior cornerback Demond Williams was a culprit of a 39-yard passing touchdown in the second quarter after poor footing on the field caused him to fall, leaving Purdue receiver Dorien Bryant open for a walk-in score.
"That field was terrible but that's still no excuse on the DBs," Williams said. "You just got to keep your feet in regards to where you play it."
Injuries key to loss
Senior wide receiver Kyle Brown (ankle) and senior offensive tackle Stefon Wheeler (ankle) both did not play in Saturday's game.
Brown, who practiced all week and was expected to start, participated in warm-ups but was absent from the game. Sophomore receiver Terry Love took Brown's place at the Z receiver position.
Wheeler was on the MSU dress list, but was not in uniform at game time and didn't take part in the game. Freshman Tom Kaczmarek started in Wheeler's absence.
Stanton breaks record
Junior quarterback Drew Stanton's 248 yards passing and one touchdown Saturday marked the 10th consecutive game that he has thrown for a touchdown pass.
Stanton's accomplishment breaks the previous school record of nine set by Jeff Smoker in 2001.
Continuing troubles with kicking
Following Saturday's loss, Smith said he didn't know where he was going to go with the kicking game.
Freshman kicker Matt Haughey, who was penciled in as the starting kicker two weeks ago, was unable to connect on a 26-yard attempt late in the first quarter, adding to this season's kicking woes. MSU's kickers have combined to miss 8-of-12 attempts this year.
With the game tied in the third quarter, the Spartans went for it on fourth-and-four from the Purdue 25-yard line rather than attempt another field goal. The fourth-down attempt failed, and the Spartans turned the ball over on downs.
