In the last home game of his career, senior quarterback Drew Stanton was forced to watch most of the action from the sideline after a hit he took in the first quarter led to dizziness.
Because of the injury, Stanton might be forced to the sideline again for his final game as a Spartan on Saturday at Penn State.
"We'll prepare (sophomore Brian) Hoyer at this point as the starter and see what transpires as the week goes by," head coach John L. Smith said Monday at his weekly press conference.
The injury, which Smith said left Stanton's helmet "crushed," limited Stanton to only two pass attempts before Hoyer took over.
On Monday, Smith said Stanton still was experiencing some headaches and will need to undergo more tests and receive doctors' permission to play.
Regardless of if he plays against Penn State, Stanton will leave MSU as one of the most prolific passers in school history. Smith said having Stanton start his final game would be a fitting send-off, but his health is the most important thing.
"It would be disappointing (if he didn't play) just because he's your guy and you've been with him so long," Smith said. "But if there's any question about his health and whether he's recovered from that or not, he's not going to play."
Coaching circle
After Smith got fired Nov. 1, MSU basketball head coach Tom Izzo came to his defense, saying he didn't know Smith well enough or offer him enough support.
Five days after the firing, Izzo again blamed himself and others for letting Smith down and not giving him the same opportunities others at MSU are afforded.
On Monday, Smith responded to those statements.
"That's not true," he said. "Tom was so supportive.
"You've got to look in the mirror first."
Game of the year
After playing both Michigan and Ohio State this year, no one is more qualified to predict the outcome of Saturday's showdown between the nation's No. 1 and No. 2 teams than Smith.
But even he couldn't pick a winner.
Smith gave U-M the advantage up front and Ohio State the advantage in playmaking ability. The difference-maker, he said, might be Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith.
"Ohio State might have a little bit of an advantage because of the guy that can move around and make things happen out of no play at all," Smith said.
"It's going to be a tremendous game."
Spartan passes away
Robert "Buck" McCurry, the only three-time captain in MSU football history, died Monday morning at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del. McCurry played center for the Spartans from 1946-48.
He went on to become the executive vice president for Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. before retiring in 1995.
A $250,000 scholarship endowed in his name is awarded to an MSU football player who plays the center position.
