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Backups find unexpected playing time

September 10, 2009

Senior center John Stipek and redshirt freshman Ethan Ruhland talk about their playing time and the injury to senior center Joel Nitchman.

It’s a fan’s worst nightmare: Seeing a starter go down and having an unproven backup take the field.

But for coaches and players, it’s business as usual. Coaches constantly tell players to practice as if they are going to start for that exact reason.

The situation came up last weekend in the MSU football team’s opener against Montana State. Late in the second quarter, senior center Joel Nitchman went down with a sprained knee.

In came senior John Stipek, a converted defensive lineman who had seen limited action in six games over three years.

Although the Spartans were playing against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent, there were some question marks. However, Stipek was able to come in and do the job the coaches asked.

“John got in there and delivered the ball to the quarterbacks, which is the first job they have and so they took care of that,” offensive line coach Dan Roushar said of Stipek and redshirt freshman Ethan Ruhland, who also saw time. “There’s certainly things in there, like all the other guys, that we’ve got to do better, but for getting in there and playing, I thought (Stipek and Ruhland) did a pretty good job.”

Stipek said it was a great feeling to be called upon and not disappoint.

“It was … pretty cool,” Stipek said. “I’ve been on the sidelines for a couple years and definitely getting back on the field with a new perspective as a center instead of a defensive tackle was pretty cool.”

Stipek said his past experience and familiarity with the situation helped him succeed when he was surprisingly called upon.

“It’s not my first rodeo,” he said. “I haven’t played, really, in two and a half years since I was on defense in my freshman year but, you know, the environment was great. As a second team player, it’s my job to be ready when the times comes if, God forbid, anyone gets hurt. I felt pretty prepared when I got in.”

Ruhland also saw some unexpected time at center, listed at No. 3 on the depth chart. A redshirt freshman, Ruhland said the older players helped him out.

“It was great to have a lot of help from the older guys out there, just encouraging me and things like that,” he said. “We really just hope that Joel will be back but I’ll always be ready if they need me, but the outlook is that Joel should be back by then.”

Ruhland, who also is listed at No. 2 on the depth chart at left guard, has seen limited practice time at center but worked at the position a small amount during the preseason.

“Things seem to work out for a reason so it’s good to have those guys in, and it’ll be good when Joel is ready to go as well,” Roushar said. “We just keep working at it and making the best out of the situation.”

Nitchman was listed as day-to-day but the MSU coaching staff said they feel confident he will play this weekend against Central Michigan.

If he is unable to go, either Stipek or Ruhland will start in his place. Stipek said if that’s the case, he is ready to start.

“(CMU is) a very good football program, and I feel pretty confident in what I’m doing,” he said. “I feel like if I have to go in, if Joel isn’t capable of playing on Saturday, then I’ll be ready to go.”

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